Fed100 Anniversary |

Benedictine Sisters of Colorado Springs, CO
Benedictine Sisters of Boerne, TX
Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, IL
Benedictine Sisters of Erie, PA
Benedictine Sisters of Tulsa, OK
Benedictine Sisters of St. Leo, FL
Benedictine Sisters of Glendora, CA
Benedictine Sisters of Cullman, AL
Benedictine Sisters of Bristow, VA

Federation of St. Scholastica 1922 - 2022: The same call and gift of the Spirit that came to Benedict of Nursia early in the 6th century came to the women who formed the Federation of Saint Scholastica early in the 20th century. This same call and gift of the Spirit comes to us today, inspiring and animating us to respond to the gospel with the good zeal of Benedict, with listening hearts, with clarity of spiritual vision, and with hearts impelled by love. In the years leading up to our centennial celebration in 2022, we intend to publicly celebrate the vision and dedication of Benedictine women over the past 100 years while at the same time supporting current works as well as new and wider efforts to bring the peace of Christ and the justice of the gospel to today’s turbulent world.

Weekly Reflections

Pentecost

Pentecost Sunday
May 31
Karen Brink, OSB, St Benedict Monastery, Pittsburgh, PA

“Veni, Creator Spiritus;” Come, Holy Spirit, Fill the Hearts of Your Faithful; the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit; the final sacrament in the sacraments of initiation.... Each of the previous was part of my religious education when I was a fourth grade student and we were informed that the bishop was coming to our parish to confirm all of the students in grades four through eight, nearly 100 of us, maybe more because the church was packed and only our sponsors could come to the ceremony. My aunt, who was my sponsor, bought me a Kodak Brownie Camera and my dress was pink! What I remember most, though, was the great amount of practice that we experienced. Everything had to be just right!

These are my memories of my Confirmation preparation and the actual “tap on the cheek” by the bishop, and I was confirmed. Not nearly as dramatic as the first Pentecost when the disciples of Jesus experienced wind, fire and speaking in tongues.

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Podcast Series

Naomi Rosenberger, OSB

Sister Naomi Rosenberger, OSB, is a charter member of Benet Hill Monastery, Colorado Springs, CO. She served two terms on the Federation of St. Scholastica Council, from 1968-1974. She was chosen treasurer by the Executive Council of the Federation during her six years of service. Sister Naomi, a historian and mathematician, served as Prioress of the Benet Hill Community from 1983-1991. In 1994, she was invited by the Bishop of Mandeville, Jamaica, to assist him in the formation of a new diocese, the Diocese of Mandeville, Jamaica.

Colleen Winston, OSB

Sister Colleen Winston, OSB, has been a member of St. Walburg Monastery, Villa Hills, KY, since 1959. She has worn many professional hats: high school teacher of English, sciences, media, and theology; a writer, photographer, and communication consultant; a musician, composer, and church liturgist. In the 1970s she helped establish Manna-fold, a "time and space house" on monastery grounds that served laity of all religious persuasions for 20 years. In 1988 she organized what became the Monastic Worship Forum, a national collaboration of monastic worship directors, that still continues. Currently Colleen is principle musician at St. Walburg and coordinator of Eucharistic liturgies.

Centennial Prayer

The same call and gift of the Spirit that came to Benedict of Nursia and his sister Scholastica early in the 6th century came to the women who formed the Federation of Saint Scholastica early in the 20th century. This same call and gift of the Spirit comes to us today, inspiring and animating us to respond to the gospel with their good zeal, with listening hearts, with clarity of spiritual vision, and with hearts impelled by love. And so we pray:

Audio recording of prayer by Sister Lynn McKenzie, OSB, President of the Federation of St. Scholastica

Loving God, we give you thanks
for our Benedictine heritage,
and for the expression of this call and gift in the
communities of the Federation of St. Scholastica.

May our celebration
of the Federation's first 100 years
strengthen us in our spiritual tradition,
deepen our capacity to listen,
widen our hearts with your love,
and sharpen our spiritual vision
that seeks to see Christ in the heart of all Creation
and at the center of our common life.

One in Christ,
may the communities of the Federation,
oblates, benefactors, and friends,
share the peace of Christ,
show the love of Christ,
and make Christ known in our world.

Amen FOR SPANISH TRANSLATION, CLICK HERE