Comments on: Becoming Benedictine

By: Tess

Tess — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 08:16:35 +0000

Hi Tille, thank you for your comment and welcome to my blog. I love this sense of journeying that we share here. At Turvey, we have been doing a study course on the Rule, shared with a partner and on a private website. I have to say, though, that I have been the worst study partner ever! I plan to start again when the course re-starts.

By: Tille

Tille — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 23:25:22 +0000

Dear Tess.

I have just found your blog and find it really interesting. Thank you for this beautiful post… I am looking forward to start my own Benedictine journey as a probationary Oblate of Holy Cross Monastery, Northern Ireland. That will happen in October this year and I can’t wait to get there again. I love this small community of monks and the wonderful peaceful atmosphere in the Monastery.

I am preparing for the day by studying the Rule, praying the Divine Office and doing my Lectio Divina every day. It has given an important structure to my day and I see myself as a Benedictine now.

By: Tess

Tess — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:19:37 +0000

@claire, thank you for finding this old post and commenting on it so beautifully, which of course gave me occasion to re-read what I’d written and relive the experience.

And Elaine and Barney, just in case you ever visit these comments again, I apologise for my total lack of graciousness in responding to you at the time!

By: claire

claire — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:33:21 +0000

How moving this is, Tess. And beautiful.
When you wrote: I did not expect this step to make much difference… But it has made a fundamental difference in the way I feel…, this reminded me of Teresa of Avila who still had doubts till the day of her vows, but loved to have joined the order from the moment she took them.
For years, Joan Chittister’s Rule of Benedict was my bedside table book. I dreamed to have it become part of me… It has not
Interestingly, however, suddenly I follow several Benedictine affiliated blogs. What a treat! I hope some of it rubs on me.
Many blessings on you, Tess.

By: Barney

Barney — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:17:02 +0000

Tess, I’m late again, but I wanted to add my heartfelt best wishes to you for the journey you have embarked upon. You describe the making of your petition so beautifully. Thank you.

By: Elaine

Elaine — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 04:00:34 +0000

Hello, Tess. May I also add my words of support and happiness for you — albeit late. Thank you for sharing another stage of your journey with us. I have “The Rule of Benedict: Insights for the Ages” (by Sr. Joan Chittister) in my bedside table but it’s been a few months since I read the commentary for the day. I don’t know why — it provides such practical guidance for the day, whether I’m at work or at home. I think I shall return to my 5 minutes of contemplation with this book in the morning.

By: Tess

Tess — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:25:44 +0000

Rachel, Towanda, Sharon, Barbara Anne, thanks to all of you so much for your comments, which I’m sorry not to have acknowledged before, I’ve been away for a few days.

By: Barbara Anne

Barbara Anne — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 03:20:21 +0000

Tess, I’m so happy that you are following your calling as you understand it to be and that your step out in faith has echoed deeply within you. I hope to walk alongside you, too.

Blessings!

By: Sharon

Sharon — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:01:05 +0000

Tess – huge congratulations on making your petition. I can only aspire to follow where you have already been. Such a moving post and thank you for sharing…..

with love & pax

Sharon xx

By: towanda

towanda — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:40:22 +0000

Congratulations and Blessings!!