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Yesterday afternoon under the Presidency of our Bishop, Joseph Strickland of Tyler, TX, we elected a brand-new prioress: Sister Mary Margaret, OP.

Sister was born in Aurora IL and originally entered the Dominican Sisters of Springfield IL. Shortly before her final vows she discerned her vocation to the cloister and came to Lufkin in 1972. Previous to being elected prioress, Sister Mary Margaret was our Sub-Prioress and in charge of our Print Shop. Sister is very talented artistically, as well as practically and spatially (i.e., she would have been a good engineer). Sister is also our Liturgist and principal organist. So please pray for her, she has her hands full! And pray for us as well. The rest of the community now awaits their new work assignments for the next three years.

We want to also take this opportunity to express deep thanks to Sister Maria Guadalupe who concluded her six years of totally selfless service to our community. God reward you, Sister!

Every three years the Dominican Friars meet in “General Chapter” to consider the state of the Order, make or change laws, and on the 9th year elect a new head of the Order, the Master General. All Dominicans, and especially the Nuns, are praying for the guidance of the Holy SpiritToday, the General Chapter opens in Vietnam! Our Friars will also elect a new Master of the Order on July 13. Below is the logo for this important meeting.

The meaning of the symbolism: the design above is a lotus blossom, the national flower of Vietnam, as well as a common flower throughout Asia. The black below it represents the Dominican cappa, or mantle. The words indicate, in Latin, the General Chapter, and the city where it is being held, Biên Hòa, Vietnam, near Saigon, in the south.

The Friars come from all over the world representing the thousands back home. Each Province sends the Provincial and a delegate. We will post news of important events as they happen. The General Chapter will continue for about a month, concluding on August 7.

Our Summer so far has not been as bad as it could be, weather-wise. It seems we\’ve been having a little rain one or two days a week. The plants have really been thriving. So we have a few pictures where you can see some of our lovely flowers.

Above is a photo of our “Baby Jesus” Shrine. We call him that because the statue arrived on Christmas Eve. If you haven\’t had a chance to visit Him, He\’s on the far right side of our building.

Recently we had a surprise visit from Father Peter Lobo, OP, who teaches at St. Charles Seminary in Nagpur, India. This is up in the north of the country, although he is originally from the southwest (Mumbai/Bombay).

Father first came to see us about 30 years ago. Although we have not seen him often, went do keep in contact by correspondence and he has sent us several of his books.

Father taught for a number of years at the Dominican Pontifical University in Rome. Many years ago, he founded an English-speaking periodical on Dominican spirituality. It ceased publishing for a few years while he was away from India. However, now that he has returned he has begun publishing Dominican Ashram again. Ashram is an Indian word for a spiritual hermitage, prayer community or monastery.

Father was able to visit us because he is in the United States visiting relatives in different parts of the country. A younger brother, Michael, is retired and lives in the Houston area. So, Michael and Fr. Peter came up to the Monastery for lunch and a good visit.

Fr. Peter Lobo, OP

Michael Lobo

At the end of May we celebrated our annual May crowning of Our Lady of the Pines.

Sr. Mary Therese crowns Our Lady.

We have not been able to post until now. But, you can follow some of events occurring here in the Monastery, by checking out our Facebook page HERE.

St. Dominic on outside walk-way

Men and women who dedicate themselves to the Consecrated Life are encouraged to have a retreat once a year. This week, we are coming to the end of our annual retreat in a few days. Every year we have a preached retreat by a Dominican friar. It is a wonderful time to have space for extra rest and prayer. Although, depending upon our duties and work assignments, we may still be called upon to continue fulfilling them.

This year we are having wonderful weather. The time of year for our retreat varies, depending upon our schedule and that of the preacher. In the picture below you can see that it is not only the nuns who rest, but also the “animal” members of our monastery.

One of our many lizards sleeps contently on St. Dominic\’s arm

We have had the joy of a visit from Sister Ann, prioress of the Dominican Monastery in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. She has been here about a week and will continue to be with us for a few more days.

In the photo above, Sister Ann is admiring our “Rock & Roll” Rose bush. Of course, she\’s used to many exotic tropical flowers in Trinidad. We have known Sister Ann and her community for over 40 years. It has been a wonderful sisterly experience. Please remember Sister\’s brother, Victor, who died Saturday, on Sister\’s Birthday. May he rest in God\’s peace.