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.
Roberta Bailey, OSB, Benedictine Sisters of Florida
“The strength of the wolf is the pack; the strength of the pack is the wolf.” — Rudyard Kipling in The Jungle Book
It’s showtime!! Let’s catch a not-so-new movie on Netflix. Last summer in cinemas across the country there was a film that I found full of symbolism: of life together, affirmation, mutual respect and social action on behalf of someone who does not match the profile of the dominant group. It was a story of adoption—of love, loyalty, compassion and unity despite differences. It was a wild ride into joy through dark, scary even lonely times, It tells of fear, daring, urging and support. The colors in the film are vivid, not to go unnoticed, adding spark that highlights the action. It's filled with lessons learned across the generations, from pesky personalities, wise elders, the words of a master and the reminders of the mother-figure. Lessons that surprise us, encourage or ring true from life's experiences, learned in quiet contemplative moments and commitment to a cause greater than one's self.
Throughout the film there's music, sometimes driving the scene, oft times very loud, other times just a hint in the background: soothing, melodic, asking to be heard. It's an unsuspecting portrayal of life-in-community captured in 90 minutes of Disney Magic called The Jungle Book. The author of the tale that is the basis of the movie, Rudyard Kipling, and the film-makers might be surprised to hear it likened to Benedictine vowed life. Let’s adapt the words of one line in the script, and you’ll see what I mean. In the film the older, wiser, mentor wolf says to the “novice” wolf-kid, “The strength of the wolf is the pack; the strength of the pack is the wolf.” In my “monastic” version, let it read: “The strength of the community is the member; the strength of the member is the community.” Sounds a bit like “All for one; one for all.” >>>Read the full post
