by Dave Nimmer, Guest Blogger Wazeer Brown, and his brother Emmanuel, are the first youngsters the Visitation Sisters “met” after they decided to locate their monastery in North Minneapolis in 1989. The two boys, about three and four years old, were standing on the street corner at 16th and Fremont as the Sisters were driving Read more…
by S. Suzanne Homeyer, VHM “We were, indeed, pilgrims on the same path, engaging each other in contemplative conversation. We were using the same concepts if not the same language and imagery, and saying so many of the same things. And that, after all, is what it’s all about isn’t it? Read more…
by S. Mary Frances Reis, VHM Isaiah 52:13-15; 53: 1-12 A Blessed Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion. This is the day to gaze on Love—a day, in the words of the Palmist, to “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps.46:11). What other stance can we take before Read more…
by Cody Maynus Ask any monk or nun to name the best and the worst parts of their religious life and you will likely get the same answer: life together in community. Community can be difficult, regardless of the form it takes. Living together, studying together, working together, praying together Read more…
by S. Suzanne Homeyer, VHM TRAVEL DOESN’T CHANGE MY DAILY PRAYER LIFE as much as one might think. I begin each day with prayer. As St. Jane de Chantal suggests: “Upon awakening in the morning, turn your thoughts to God present everywhere. Place your heart and your entire being in Read more…
by Sr. Karen Mohan, VHM March, once primarily known to this Irish “lass” as the “month of St. Patrick,” now includes an awareness of “Women’s History Month“, “National Catholic Sisters’ Week” (March 8-14), and even “Nutrition Month.” These themes: being Irish, being a woman, and a religious Sister who values the Read more…
by Dave Nimmer, Guest Blogger Linda Goynes* is a colorful, consistent and continuous thread in the life fabric of the Visitation Sisters of North Minneapolis. For 12 years she was their next door neighbor. Today she proudly wears their Cross of Affiliation, in effect making her an honorary sister. Over Read more…
by Jody Johnson, Visitation Companion “God comes to us disguised as our lives.” — Richard Rohr Just as thoughts must be released not once, but over and over again during contemplative prayer, so our human weaknesses and flaws must be recognized, acknowledged, and surrendered again and again in our daily lives. Perhaps Read more…
by Jody Johnson, Visitation Companion “Be still and know that I am God.” —Psalm 46:10 Like most journeyers along the contemplative path, I soon learn that silence holds not only peace but challenge. The initial balm I received in stillness has given way to an even louder clamor than before, and Read more…
by Jody Johnson, Visitation Companion* “I will lead you into the desert, and there I will speak to your heart.” –Hosea 2:16 I’ve come to the desert seeking silence, or seeking to enter into it more fully. I practice contemplative prayer but, if as Thomas Keating says, twenty minutes of Read more…