formation
The Burden of Lent – Reflection by Br. Damian, CMC
Very often, we see Lent as a burden. We treat it as if it is another Ten Commandments. We tend to view it negatively because of the requirements such as fasting from meat on Friday, giving alms to the poor, and sacrificing something that we love to do for the entire Lenten season. We actually…
Vocation Night: A look into monastic life!
Look at PICTURES and read about vocation night. The seminarians invited Brother Bernard over to talk about his journey as a Benedictine!
A Reflection on Forgiveness – by Michael Schreck
Matthew 18:21-35 We’ve all heard today’s gospel passage many times. The message is clear: forgive others as we have been forgiven by God. The servant who was forgiven much seems to be ungrateful and petty. You might think that being forgiven an enormous debt would, at the very least, give you a more peaceful outlook…
Leap Day and the Resurrection: Reflection by Br. Thomas
Leap Day, February 29th, is an artifact that dates back to 46 BC, when Julius Caesar was informed that the solar year was 365.25 days long. To account for the residual quarter of a day, an extra day was added to the calendar every four years. At that time, February was the last month of…
Dante and the Season of Lent: Reflection by Dr. Bill Brownsberger
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s translation of Dante’s Divine Comedy begins, in part, with these words: Midway upon the journey of our life I found myself within a forest dark For the straightforward path had been lost… I cannot well repeat how there I entered So full was I of slumber at the moment In which I…
“What is your worth? What dignity do you have?” – Reflection by Kevin Lenius
What is your worth? What dignity do you have? Very often in our lives, we forget our great dignity and place God in a box constructed out of our sin. A box that does not welcome filth. Yet, in today’s Gospel, we find the father welcoming his son, filth and all, and a celebration commences.…
A Vineyard to Tend – Lenten Reflection by Martin Parizek
“He who ponders the law of the Lord day and night, will yield his fruit in due season.” Ps1:2-3 God has given all of us a vineyard to tend. This vineyard of course is our soul. It is comprised of our talents, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, successes and failures. He gives us the tools we need…
A Reflection on Lazarus – by Chad Thurman
Luke 16:19-31 In the Gospel of Luke we hear of Lazarus and the rich man. This parable can seem like a condemnation of material wealth. Yet, God’s word is not simply a Word of condemnation, but a Word of invitation. We are invited to receive joy through love. Material wealth, in and of itself, is…
Let Him In – Lenten Reflection by Bob Schroeder
“Lift up your heads, O gates! / and be lifted up, O ancient doors! / that the King of glory may come in.” (Psalm 24:7) Lent is a time of inward reflection. When it comes to our deepest desires, our most intimate thoughts, and especially our gravest sins, we tend to close ourselves up—to become…
The Humility of Moss – Lenten Reflection by Tomas Sandoval
2nd Week of Lent: Thursday, February 23 Is 1:10, 16-20 / Mt 23:1-12 Moss takes claim of my heart when it comes to picking a favorite feature of nature. Moss is not showy; it doesn’t boast nor does it scream, “Look at me, look at me!” Moss is busy about its duties on the humus littered…