#yankton benedictines
See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called children of God. ~Christmas Antiphon on the Feast of the Holy Family
O God, you know all our longing; make haste and come to our help.
-Advent Antiphon
“It is widely pointed out that if you take the first letter of each O’ Antiphons’ Latin name and reverse the order — that is, begin with E from Emmanuel, then Rex Gentium and so on you will spell the word EROCRAS, which in Latin means “I shall come tomorrow”” (osv.com).
“Each O’ Antiphon is addressed to God using a noble title for the Messiah, each antiphon petitions Him to come save His people, and each is tied to Mary [preceding the Magnificat, Mary’s song of praise] because she is the vessel through which the Savior will be born” (osv.com).
“…The O’ Antiphons are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament…” (USCCB.org).
“The Roman Church has been singing the O’ Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17th to 23rd” (USCCB.org).
The O’ Antiphons “repeated use of the imperative "Come!” embodies the longing of all for the Divine Messiah" (USCCB.org).
The O Antiphons “…proclaim the coming Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but present ones as well” (USCCB.org).
Traveling through our neighborhood during the Christmas season? You’re welcome to join us for Mass and Prayer at the Monastery!
It’s a good squash year in our monastic garden. Their vines are stretching everywhere. Growing out of the garden and climbing even to the tops of pear trees!
“Everything growing on earth, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all forever.” (Daniel 3:76)
The Monastery gardens have begun to share the bounty of God’s beauty!
“Praise the LORD all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples!” Responsorial Psalm 117:1
A nun day fun-day for the sisters at the monastery. Our sisters around Silver Jubilee and newer gathered for a day of play and prayer. Our 8 sisters ‘escaped’ with only 8 minutes to spare! The rummy sisters shared their treats, and many creative concepts were shouted out by the wordy sisters.
More from Busted Halo’s #bhsummer19: On the way home to the Monastery, last night’s sunset behind the fields brought life-giving joy at the beauty of God’s creation.
Earlier this week, a group of young women from Lexington, NE joined us for a few days to learn about our monastic life. They shared our prayer, work, and play while hearing stories of sisters’ discernment and joy. Before leaving, the ladies gifted us with this art illustrating their favorite quote from their time at the monastery.
An illuminated copy of the Rule of Benedict welcomes us into Chapel as we gather for the Feast of Saint Benedict.
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We begin celebrating Saint Benedict on the eve of his Solemnity. Prayer this evening begins with statio, a solemn procession, into chapel…passing this statue of our Father Benedict.
Jesus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (Matthew 16)
Today, we join the Church in celebrating Saints Peter and Paul!
“Let us love one another with fervent love, endure one another’s infirmities; patiently serve and obey one another, and prefer nothing whatever to Christ.”
~ Vespers Antiphon (Rule of Benedict)
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The Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the patronal feast of our monastery. Tonight, we begin the celebration with first Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours. We continue to celebrate the Solemnity with prayer and Eucharist celebrated in the Bishop Marty Chapel. The Psalms and antiphons all echoing the reminders of Christ’s great love for us poured out through His Sacred Heart.
“Let us love one another with fervent love, endure one another’s infirmities; patiently serve and obey one another, and prefer nothing whatever to Christ.”
~ Vespers Antiphon (Rule of Benedict)
Sisters, the Church rejoices with you today as you celebrate your anniversary of Monastic Profession. We invite you now to renew the Profession you made to Christ and the Church.
Pray a blessing for our Golden Jubilarians…
“May God strengthen you to live a life worthy of your calling, with humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another lovingly. And may you always seek first God’s way of holiness. Amen.”
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Celebrating the fullness of the Easter Season and offering a Psalm of praise with the joy of the Spirit on Pentecost Sunday!
On this Memorial Day, we offer our prayer for those who have died in service to our nation.
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The Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for his sheep, is risen. Alleluia! ~Easter Antiphon
As the Church celebrates Good Shepherd Sunday, join us in celebrating the 56th World Day of Prayer for Vocations and interceding that more women and men offer their joyful “YES” to the Lord.
On Good Friday, the reading for Lauds comes from the Book of Lamentations. The poetry of sorrow is a response to the sufferings and destruction of Jerusalem. This reading is chanted by our cantors as the sisters and guests reflect on our sorrow in Christ’s Passion and Death on the Cross.
For your reflection, we’ve shared part of the reading paired with sights from around the Monastery on the Good Friday.
While South Dakota is still in the midst of winter’s grip, we’d like to share the promise of Spring.
“Arise, my friend, my beautiful one, and come! For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines, in bloom, give forth fragrance. Arise, my friend, my beautiful one, and come!” (Song of Songs 2: 10b-13)
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Pope Francis’ intercession through Our Lady of Lourdes on this 27th World Day of the Sick and a summer view of Our Lady’s grotto at our monastery.
We are called to follow Saint Scholastica’s example to live with love.
“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for Love is strong as Death, longing is fierce as Sheol. Its arrows are arrows of fire, flames of the divine. Deep waters cannot quench love, nor rivers sweep it away.” (Song of Song 8: 6-7).
Tonight, we begin our celebration of Saint Scholastica with sung praises.
The USCCB reminds us of Church teaching that “slavery, prostitution, the selling of women, and children, and disgraceful working conditions where people are treated as mere tools for profits rather than free and responsible persons are infamies and supreme dishonor to the creator” (Gaudium et Spes, 1965).
Pope John Paul II, highlighted the repugnant nature of the buying and selling of humans: “Such situations are an affront to fundamental values which are shared by all cultures and peoples, values rooted in the very nature of the human person. The alarming increase in the trade in human beings…presents a serious threat to the security of individual nations and a question of international justice which cannot be deferred.” (USCCB)
More information and resources:
Pope Benedict XVI insisted on the need to combat… “trafficking in human beings, especially women, that flourishes where opportunities to improve their standard of living or even to survive are limited.” (USCCB)
More information and resources:
Pope Francis has stated: “Human trafficking is an open wound on the body of contemporary society, a scourge upon the body of Christ.” There are an estimated 40.3 million victims of human trafficking worldwide. Every country in the world is affected by human trafficking, including the United States (USCCB). This includes victims found throughout South Dakota.
More information and resources:
As the Church honors the Presentation of the Lord, we celebrate Christ as the light of the world by blessing the candles used in our worship and prayer…Candlemas.
On this World Day for Consecrated Life, we invite you to join us in a prayer of gratitude for all those who answer God’s Call to religious life.
