Going to a monastery has always been on my bucket list. I am a mental health therapist and my husband is the pastor at a church, so a lot of times I find myself doing the work of God rather than resting in God. My husband gifted me a retreat to stay with the Benedictine Sisters for Mother’s Day. This is the best Mother’s Day gift I have received. I really enjoyed the solitude and opportunity to connect with God all while getting to interact with the sisters.
I met with Sister Mary David daily and she gave several scriptures to reflect on and taught me the Benedictine was of doing this. While I was there I prayed, walked on the prayer circle, journaled, did the stations of the cross through the assistance of one of the sisters, went to the Abbey across the street, participated in the sisters prayer time and Mass, reflected on scripture, and, as Sister Mary David would say, I had a lot of Holy Leisure just being aware of the presence of God through nature. It was salve for my weary soul. I plan to come back (often) and am hoping to bring a group of woman from my church. I am very appreciative of the sisters and the opportunity for this type of retreat.
Karen Culbertson – May 2018
