As a monastic community, we express our care and concern for people in many ways--especially through daily prayer. We pay close attention to the world around us in order to stay up to date on the issues of the day. One of the biggest issues of recent months is the economy, and we are aware of the stress that some of you are under as it relates to job losses, healthcare and other medical concerns, home values, retirement savings and more.

       At Holy Wisdom Monastery, our Benedictine commitment to stability offers perspective and encouragement when uncertainty--be it personal or professional--shakes our confidence or erodes our trust. Stability begins with a desire to live life deeply and to remain present to all that is happening around us. Stability is not only available to religious sisters, but to any and all who seek it. more

Click here to submit your prayer request through our guestbook.

    
      In February, 2009, I had the privilege of visiting Nairobi, Kenya where Benedictine Women of Madison and many of you supported the efforts of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters as they worked to build a new grade school, St. Scholastica Academy. Sister Emily Macharia is the principal of the school's 750 students.
 
       Many of you know Sister Emily Macharia from Sunday Assembly or from being at Holy Wisdom Monastery where she lived from November 2005 until December, 2007 while completing a Masters Degree in School Administration at Edgewood College. Sister Emily is doing great work at St. Scholastica and already there is a waiting list for enrollment.

       St. Scholastica is not far from one of the larger slums of Nairobi, the Mathare slum. Over 500,000 people live there in very small rooms with no running water or kitchens. As many as eight people may be sleeping in one bed, and cooking is done outside with charcoal or wood sticks. The sisters have made it part of their mission to educate boys and girls from this area. They ask the parent or parents of these children to pay whatever they can for tuition. I visited some of the student's homes with Sister Emily and met their families. All expressed pride in having the opportunity to attend a good school. more

 
       Just as the prairie at Holy Wisdom Monastery begins teeming with new life, so too Benedictine Women of Madison and co-workers are infused with energy from the presence of young women who come to participate in the Volunteer in Community (VIC) program. Since 2006,
11 single women between the ages of 20 and 50 have come to share life with the sisters, work on the land and nurture their spirituality. This year, we have 13 women signed up, including one from New Zealand!

       A typical day for the VIC's focuses on the Benedictine rhythm of prayer, work, study and leisure. Praying the Liturgy of the Hours three times each day and Centering Prayer twice a day provides an opportunity for renewal. Work outdoors is varied. Pulling invasive plant species, tending the garden and maintaining bluebird houses are chances for VIC's to see the sacred through the interconnectedness of life. VIC's, sisters and co-workers gather for study, reflection and discussion weekday afternoons. The curriculum includes exploration of major themes in the Rule of Benedict, participation in group spiritual companioning and experiencing the living presence of God through the practice of Lectio Divina. Meal times are leisurely and communal, time to be nourished and be together with fellow volunteers and the sisters. Evenings and weekends allow some free time for each volunteer to do as she chooses--exercise, read, send email, watch movies, explore Madison or sit on top of the hill and watch the sun go down. more

VIC "Investment" Opportunity
The total cost for this year's VIC program is expected to be about $20,000, which includes room and board. For more information about supporting VIC, contact Betsy at 608-836-1631, ext. 120 or bliotus@benedictinewomen.org. To give online, donate now. Be sure to clearly indicate that your gift is to support VIC. Thank you!

    
     Holy Wisdom Monastery is part of the Lake Mendota Watershed.  Drainage from this location finds its way through the Madison Lakes, to the Rock River and eventually to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. For years the awareness of problems from both urban and rural runoff has been growing. I would like to explain the positive steps being taken with the new monastery building to address this critical environmental issue. more

    
      Volunteers planted over 1200 small native plants in two roof top gardens as part of the landscaping plan for the new "green" monastery at Community Workday on May, 16, 2009. With around 70 volunteers and 12 staff much was accomplished during the three hours of work.

      Many thanks to Bill Knoedler for his sponsorship of this workday, as well as Panera Bread and Ace Hardware.

      Mark your calendar for our next Community Workday on Saturday, September 19, 2009. Click here to view photos from the spring workday.