Sisters 55 and younger from the Federation of Saint Scholastica arrived in Atchison, KS, in the midst of a snowstorm to spend a weekend penetrating the meaning of the Rule of Benedict and their future as women religious. 

 

For some it was their first time to see snow.  Others spent up to eight hours in airports waiting for flights to take off.  One group drove into blinding snow only to miss their turn, eventually being directed  to Mount St. Scholastica, site of the gathering, by the highway patrol. In the end they got stuck on the last hill and came on foot behind the police car carrying their luggage.

 

Sixty-seven sisters out of the 89 in the Federation who are 55 and younger were able to attend.  They represented sixteen monasteries across the United States and Mexico.  For some of those attending, the meeting was a renewal of previous relationships from formation days or past gatherings; for others it was the first time to meet sisters in their age group outside of their own monasteries. 

 

Energized by the sharing with their peers from other monasteries, the sisters prayed, played and talked away the weekend.  They looked at the future, reflected on the past, and sought to define the values of Benedictine life. From the perspective of their present realities, the group shared the joys of the communal life and the common challenges they face.  Six sisters from different monasteries with varied professional backgrounds made formal presentations on the hope they find in facing the future of Benedictine life in the 21st century.  Ideas were processed in discussions that were grouped by age as well as in mixed-age groups.  Wisdom was shared, hope was encouraged and new bonds were formed as the sisters listened to each other with the ear of their hearts. 

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It was   difficult   to get   them   all on   the   same   picture

•      Discussions in small groups