Fed100 Anniversary |

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

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

Week of January 19

Week of January 19, Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Christine Ereiser, OSB, St Joseph Monastery, Tulsa, OK

Ah, Ordinary Time.

The word ‘ordinary’ in this context can be misleading. I sometimes find myself thinking of Ordinary Time as “Plain Old Time.” Nothing special happening, nothing much going on. A time of rest and lolling about between the major liturgical seasons of the year.

However, this is not the intent or meaning of Ordinary Time. From the Latin ordinalis, meaning numbered, as in the Sundays and weeks of this season. This brings to mind Psalm 90, “Teach us to count our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.” (NABRE)

“The Sundays and weeks of Ordinary Time…take us through the life of Christ. This is the time of conversion. This is living the life of Christ. Ordinary Time is a time for growth and maturation, a time in which the mystery of Christ is called to penetrate ever more deeply into history until all things are finally caught up in Christ.”

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Podcast Series

Ursula Herrera, OSB

Ursula Herrera, OSB, is a Benedictine Sister of Boerne, TX. She earned her nursing degree from the University of Texas and worked at her community's hospital in San Antonio. When the community sold their hospital, she continued nursing at another hospital until responding to the need for medical personnel in Eagle Pass, on the U.S. border with Mexico, in 1996. In Eagle Pass, Sister Ursula quickly became aware of great need in Piedras Negras, across the Rio Grande, and began offering support to communities there. When she retired from nursing in 2018 her full-time ministry became responding to the needs of migrants and refugees, the poor, especially women, children and the disabled, and the many volunteers and donors who have become part of her ministry network.

Oblate Gregory Evans

Gregory Evans has been an oblate of St. Benedict Monastery in Bristow, VA, since 2004, and a member of American Benedictine Academy (ABA) since 2009. Retired from a career with the Federal Aviation Administration, Greg volunteers in many capacities at the monastery, including music, art and environment, landscaping, and as a speaker/presenter for the Benedictine Pastoral Center. He also facilitates the monastery’s “Knitting as Prayer” group, and ministers to elderly community members with visits and assistance with shopping, errands, computer needs and arts and crafts. An ABA Visual Art Conveyor since 2012, Greg is currently an ABA board member.

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