Sr. Christine's Silver Jubilee

Sr. Christine celebrated 25 years of monastic profession on August 20th, the feast of St. Bernard.  Many of her family and friends, all from Canada were here for the celebration.  Mass was celebrated with Dom Mark of New Melleray presiding.  This was followed by a celebratory meal in our refectory.  It was a gorgeous day, sunny and in the low 70's.  It was the nicest feast of St. Bernard that anyone can remember.

Opening presents

Renewing her vows

Mass

Schola

Chris' brother and sister-in-law

Chris' brother and sister-in-law

Canadian friends and family

Tautra Mariakloster

In 1999 OLM sent sisters to central Norway to start a foundation on the island of Tautra where ruins of a 14th century Cistercian monastery remain.  Recently one of the sisters visited Tautra Mariakloster. 
Monastery Church
entrance

Front of monastery

boat houses

backyard

cloister

Church

Church Ceiling made of glass

Ruins

Sunrise

Bird sanctuary

Sunset

Ending of our Golden Jubilee Year

This past week we celebrated the ending of our Jubilee year.  We began the year with a celebration with members of our order and foundresses on July 11, 2014. 
On July 11, 2015 we celebrated with former members and friends of our community.  About 100 persons were present.  Archbishop Jackels   presided at Eucharist and the sisters along with our former members sang the recessional hymn.  This was followed by a celebratory meal in our refectory.  The event was wonderful and we are grateful to all our friends and benefactors for all their love and support.

On July 10 we visited with our former members who came for the celebration.  We shared stories and memories and had a great time catching up.

Classes with our former Archbishop

 We had the privilege to welcome our former Archbishop, Jerome Hanus.  Her retired as archbishop two years ago and returned home.  Home is Conception Abbey in Missouri, a Benedictine abbey where he now teaches and gardens.  He returned to Dubuque to give us classes on the vows according to the Rule of St. Benedict.  He also talked about Pope Francis and the Pope's teaching.

Archbishop Hanus helped us celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi.  This feast is very special in the Cistercian Order.  We fill the sanctuary with flowers and after Mass have a procession to the circle outside for the blessing for the 4 corners of the earth.  Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament follows for the rest of the day.






We have lots of robins nesting on our property.  The nest in the picture is located outside our Chapter Room above an outdoor light fixture.

Ongoing Formation

This past week we have had the pleasure to have Dr. Brian Patrick McGuire from Denmark give us classes about the history of prayer in the Middle Ages.
Roskilde Universitet.  He was also a professor at the University of Copenhagen.  For his last lecture he talked about monastic life in Scandinavia.  We have a special interest on this topic because of our foundation in Norway.  It was all very interesting
He is Professor emeritus, D.Phil.