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Benedictine Sisters of Boerne

1 day ago

A Reflection for December 2022 by Sister Bernadine Reyes, OSB, Prioress

As I looked at the month of December to select one reading to reflect on, I was a bit overwhelmed by the difference in themes throughout the month. We have the theme of Advent, dotted with the theme of Mary through the feasts of the Immaculate Conception and of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Then for Christmas we have different readings for Christmas Eve, Mass at Dawn, and Mass during the day. Following Christmas we have the Octave of Christmas, early saints, and the remembrance of the Holy Innocents. Oh my, such a full month and what a rich month for our reflection.

In the end, my choice was to offer a few reflections on the Gospel of John, from the Mass during Christmas Day. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” There is a cosmic dimension in this Gospel that expands all meaning in life. “All things came into being through the Word and his life was a light to the human race.” A few sentences later we read, “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. The Word, Jesus, “pitched his tent among us.”

It is all mystery: the Word, God, Jesus, chose to “become flesh”, to come as a helpless infant, totally dependent on others, and to live among us.

Reflecting on Christmas, through the lens of this Gospel, always brings me to deep silence; to deep gratitude for the generosity of God to us as a human race. God chose to come as a human being, to walk with us for a while to teach us how to live with one another. Can we fathom this gift we have been given – God “becoming flesh”?

My hope is that we not only deepen the message of this Gospel, but that it colors the lens by which we look at each other has we walk our days on this earth. Especially as we experience growing gun violence, wars, untrue public rhetoric, and racism. Let us honor the One who came to “pitch his tent among us.”

I would invite us to reflect on this particular Gospel, John 1:1-18, in preparation for celebrating this mystery of God’s Incarnation into the world. ... See MoreSee Less

Benedictine Sisters of Boerne

5 days ago

May you be blessed by the anticipation and celebration of this holy Advent Season. ... See MoreSee Less

Benedictine Sisters of Boerne is feeling thankful.

1 week ago

Happy Thanksgiving from the Benedictine Sisters! ... See MoreSee Less

Benedictine Sisters of Boerne

3 weeks ago

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Benedictine Sisters of Boerne

4 weeks ago

A Reflection for November 2022 by Sister Bernice Lindsey, OSB
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

On the last Sunday of each liturgical year the church celebrates the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. This year that Sunday falls on November 20, 2022. The Gospel, Luke 23:35-43, reflects on the Crucifixion; Jesus is hung on the cross between two criminals.

One of the criminals acknowledges that he deserves to be hung but that it was wrong to hang Jesus as He did nothing wrong. At this point, he turns to Jesus and says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your reign.” Jesus replied, “I assure you, this day you will be with me in paradise.”

Throughout His ministry, Jesus taught that true power is humility, and that to rule is to serve. He further taught the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Jesus did not inherit His kingdom through a coronation but by the crucifixion.

When I am troubled and see things in such chaos around me and in the world, I too, cry out those words, “Jesus, remember me when You come into your kingdom.” Because I believe that this is the day the Lord has made; my prayer is true when I ask for my daily bread and I believe Jesus’ words, “I assure you, this day you will be with me in paradise.”

I am comforted by the thought that the Kingdom of God is right here, and that paradise is the dwelling place of those who love God, not sometime in the future, but right here and right now. I am never alone because I can feel Jesus right here with me.

As we go forward in this month of thanksgiving, may we all be especially thankful for the gifts of faith, hope, and the assurance of Jesus, present always in our lives. ... See MoreSee Less

Benedictine Sisters of Boerne

1 month ago

The Benedictine Sisters seek a cook for St. Scholastica Monastery. M-F 9 am - 2 pm, $16.75/hr. Duties include but are not limited to shopping, meal preparation for 13-15 people, following established menus, set-up, clean-up, and following food health and safety procedures. Previous experience with references required. Applications may be picked up Mon thru Fri 9am – 4pm at St. Scholastica Monastery, 216 W Highland Dr, Boerne, TX, 78006. ... See MoreSee Less

Benedictine Sisters of Boerne

1 month ago

The Benedictine Sisters seek caring and professional Caregivers. 2 positions open: Part-time – M-F, 5pm – 11pm (benefits offered), and PRN (as needed). Experience preferred with good references. $15 per hr. Applications may be picked up Mon thru Fri 9am – 4pm at St. Scholastica Monastery, 216 W Highland Dr, Boerne, TX, 78006. ... See MoreSee Less

Benedictine Sisters of Boerne

1 month ago

Honoring These Holy Days... ... See MoreSee Less

Benedictine Sisters of Boerne is feeling blessed.

2 months ago

Our Caridad de Corazón ministry partners with Mission: Border Hope. Sr. Ursula Herrera, OSB, Director of Caridad de Corazón (Charity of the Heart) is an angel on the border, serving those in need.Special guest today! A brand new baby girl is honoring with her presence! ♥️ thank you Sister Ursula for taking care of this family! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 ... See MoreSee Less

Benedictine Sisters of Boerne

2 months ago

The Benedictine Sisters seek caring and professional Caregivers. 2 positions open: Part-time – M-F, 5pm – 11pm (benefits offered), and PRN (as needed). Experience preferred with good references. $15 per hr. Applications may be picked up Mon thru Fri 9am – 4pm at St. Scholastica Monastery, 216 W Highland Dr, Boerne, TX, 78006. ... See MoreSee Less

Benedictine Sisters of Boerne

2 months ago

Blessings to you as Autumn begins! ... See MoreSee Less

Benedictine Sisters of Boerne

3 months ago

Reflecting on the Sunday Gospels for September, the reading for September 11th called to me. We are certainly familiar with the parable of The Prodigal Son. It conveys God’s love for all of us, His children. God’s love is unconditional, equally loving to the faithful and the lost.

After the younger son requested “his share of the estate” he fractured the family and went off to a distant country, squandering his resources. A severe famine came, and he became very hungry. And the younger son recalled there was an abundance of food in his father’s household, no one lacked, not even the hired hands. The younger son went back home prepared to say, “Father I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”

And the son was greeted by his father with great compassion! The reunion was one of welcoming, love, and affection. The son was clothed with the best robe, sandals, and a ring. And a feast was prepared in celebration of the son’s return. The father was overwhelmed with joy, saying “He was lost and is found!”

When the elder son was finished working in the field, as he did so dutifully for many years, he came upon the sounds of joyous celebration and asked what the occasion was. He was understandably upset and refused to participate in the celebration. Imagine how he must have felt. He said to his father, “For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But… you killed the fatted calf for him!”

The father lovingly responds, indicating that all of the elements of the estate belong to the older son. Jesus does not finish the story. We are not told if the elder son joins in the feast.

It is a parable that easily engages us. It is relatable with talk of everyday life - family, relationships, home, food, work, fairness, justice, and an array of feelings. It is comforting to know that if we wander off course or squander the gifts we have been given, when we return with a penitent heart, the love of our Heavenly Father is abundant and we will be welcomed back home wholeheartedly by Jesus. ... See MoreSee Less

Benedictine Sisters of Boerne

4 months ago

Celebrating the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary as well the anniversary of our move from San Antonio to Boerne 60 years ago today! #assumption #boerne #boernebenedictines ... See MoreSee Less

Benedictine Sisters of Boerne

4 months ago

August 2022 – A Reflection by Sister Susan Mika, OSB

August is upon us! When we think of August, we think of many things. August is often a time of vacations…it is a time of getting ready to go back to school for teachers and students…it is a time for reflection. The year 2022 is more than half over. When we pause, we often say, “Where did the time go?” Each day is a chance to start over.

We celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Feast of the Assumption on the 15th… It is the date in 1962 that our Sisters moved to Boerne – in so many ways, it was a new beginning. We see photos of those who helped us move from South Alamo Street in San Antonio and get settled into our new home. The new home/estate had not had inhabitants for several decades, so all of that had to be a great cleanup effort. This year we celebrated 60 years in Boerne with a special Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, and Boerne’s Mayor, Tim Handren, honored us and thanked us for our presence. Our monastery has moved three times in those years – to different locations on our property. Many remain amazed at how we incorporated the Kronkosky Tower into the current monastery. It was built in 1911 – a sure sign, that’s the year our monastery started in the Isle of Pines, Cuba.

We are always trying to discern the signs of the times and move forward.

We find ourselves thinking and planning. Events happening in the world intervene… even with our best laid plans. We have experienced so much pain in the last few weeks. In our area of Texas, we have had the massacre of 19 children and 2 teachers the school shooting in Uvalde and the 53 migrants who died in a tractor trailer in San Antonio. No one who woke up on the day those events happened thought that was the way the day would end. We are in the midst of much unrelenting heat and drought – as is so much of our world this summer.

This summer, our Sisters participated in several events. In June, the Federation (new name: Congregation) of St. Scholastica celebrated 100 years and held the Chapter Meeting in Atchison. The monasteries celebrated, remembered those who went before us. Now, we continue to discern what vision is needed for the future. The Colloquium: “Benedictine Life: A Vision Unfolding” had to be held virtually – seekers, monastics, Oblates, and those interested in the future of Benedictine spirituality prayed together, listened to input, discussed ideas on how to live our values into the next 100 years.

In August, we will celebrate the professed lives of two of our Sisters – Sister Victoria Anne Olivares, OSB (60 years) and Sister Mary Lou Hernandez, OSB (45 years) with the Benedictine Sisters. Each has given her life to God and to God’s people in so many ways. We lift up their gifts and talents. They have touched so many lives in their years of ministry. We are so grateful they picked our monastery to be part of their/our lives.

God just asks that we do our best each day. Grace is offered to us and we gladly accept that gift.

We keep all of you in mind each day, as we work on the balance of our lives… balance between our daily concerns, our prayers for each other and the worries of the world and the urgency of the ministries God entrusts to each of us, this day. We hope you are mindful of us, too. ... See MoreSee Less

Benedictine Sisters of Boerne

4 months ago

The Benedictine Sisters began their annual retreat last evening at St. Scholastica Monastery. Pictured l-r; Sisters Victoria Anne Olivares, OSB, Antoinette Van Galen, OSB, and Susan Mika, OSB look over material in preparation for this morning's session. Sister Judith Sutera, OSB, from Atchison, KS, is facilitating this week long experience, "Through the Desert with Abba Antony". Please keep all the Sisters in your prayers. ... See MoreSee Less