Weaving Workshop for Community and Interns-September 2024
“A weaver, it turns out, is an individual who simply connects — and by that connection, makes a positive difference through consistent acts of neighborliness, support and relationship-building.
What Weaving Can Teach Us About Cultivating Leaders
—The Aspen Institute:
During September 2024 the Monastery's Oblate Karen Anderson treated our young community members and interns to an intensive weaving workshop. Karen is a master weaver who has studied weaving techniques and traditions around the world. With her expert help we are working towards developing a Fiber Arts Department here at the Monastery.
New Multi-shaft Loom
In 2022 Karen introduced our monastic interns to the basics of weaving on rigid heddle looms. During our High School Women's Retreat in the summer of 2023 she taught tapestry weaving. In the most recent workshop the participants were introduced to multi-shaft weaving. They each made a scarf which can be a table runner or an altar cloth. Karen envisions building her students to a place where each year they can explore new weave structures using our newest shaft looms. Because of limited common space in our houses, the 8 portable table looms Karen has generously given to us offer the weavers the opportunity to develop their skill throughout the year. Our dream is to have new weaving rooms built in our barn that will house our floor looms, table looms and spinning wheels. We anticipate future workshops with Karen and other guest teachers.
Enjoy this Gallery of the September Weaving Workshop.
(Click to enlarge.)
Feast of St. Scholastica—February 10th
St. Scholastica by Mother Praxedes
Abbey of Regina Laudis
February 10th is the Feast of St. Scholastica, the sister of St. Benedict. What we know about the life of St. Benedict, we owe to Pope St. Gregory the Great who wrote his biography roughly fifty years after St. Benedict's death. In the Second Book of the Dialogues Containing the Life and Miracles of St. Benedict of Nursia the Pope recounts to the disciple Peter the miracles wrought by St. Benedict. There was, however, one time when the saint did not get his way.
As St. Scholastica made her yearly visit to her brother, she prevailed upon him to stay instead of returning to his Abbey with his monks, so they could talk and pray through the night. Wishing to abide by the justice of his Rule, St. Benedict refused her. St. Scholastica put her head in her hands and wept tears of supplication to God, and a sudden violent storm prevented St. Benedict from leaving. St Gregory continues: And so by that means they watched all night, and with spiritual and heavenly talk did mutually comfort one another.
The Divine Office for the Feast of St. Scholastica is beloved to Benedictines, particularly women's communities, as we sing the texts from the Dialogues recounting the wondrous exchange between brother and sister.
Antiphons from the Office of St. Scholastica—
From the Dialogues of Pope St. Gregory the Great
St. Benedict: "May Almighty God forgive you, sister!
What have you done?"
St. Scholastica: "I asked you and you refused to hear me.
So I asked my Lord and He has heard me."
"Go now—if you can. Leave me and return to the monastery."
"After three days Saint Benedict was in his cell.
Looking up to the sky, he saw his sister’s soul leave her body
in the form of a dove penetrating the secret places of heaven."
Miracles of St. Benedict
Last Conversation between St. Scholastica and St. Benedict
Lorenzo Monaco (circa 1370 –circa 1425)
When St. Gregory's disciple Peter, who knew the power of St. Benedict through his miracles, wondered why in this instance St. Benedict did not get his way, Pope St. Gregory explains that St. Scholastica was "...able to do more because she loved more/Plus potuit quia plus amavit." Though she did not tell him why, she intuited that her death was near.
Tabernacle Designed
by Giacomo Manzù
Three days after his encounter with his sister, St. Benedict, while standing in his cell, and looking up to heaven, "...beheld the soul of his sister (which was departed from her body), in the likeness of a dove to ascend into heaven."
For this reason St. Scholastica is usually represented holding a dove. The stunning tabernacle in the Regina Laudis Church Jesu Fili Mariae, free standing and carved from rough cut granite, has two doves on top representing St. Benedict and St. Scholastica. While in Rome Mother Praxedes Baxter worked with the renowned sculptor, Giacomo Manzù, beloved friend of Pope St. John XXIII. Manzù gave the Abbey his priceless designs of wheat, grapes, and the cross, which were then etched into the bronze doors and a panel behind the tabernacle.
Sts. Benedict and Scholastica,
unknown , 15th century,
Nursia
The Feast of St. Scholastica holds special meaning for our community, for on this day in 1976, our Foundress, Lady Abbess Benedict Duss, received her Abbatial Blessing and the Monastery of Regina Laudis was elevated to the status of an Abbey. Almost 40 years later at the time of her Abbatial Blessing, Mother Abbess Lucia Kuppens took as her abbatial motto: "Plus potuit quia plus amavit."
On this feast we pray that St. Scholastica may be a model for women of persistence in prayer, witnessing to the transformative power of feminine love, expressed so beautifully by Adrienne von Speyr in her meditation on St. Scholastic and her relationship to her Brother Benedict:
“She has an exalted image of Benedict’s calling, and in prayer she receives such certainty in this regard that she never doubts his mission. If it ever happens that all seems hopeless and he is at a loss about everything, then she is there to give him great consolation. She knows that things will work out. If she brings him the encouragement he needs, then it is not simply as one human being to another, but she brings it with the entire weight of the Church and the monastery. She brings him this consolation as the fruit of her prayer and in her complete femininity.
—From the Book of All Saints by Adrienne von Speyr
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple—February 2nd
Candlemas Day by Tomie dePaola
“Adorn thy bridal chamber, O Sion, and receive Christ the King:
embrace Mary, who is the gate of heaven,
[embrace the Messiah and congratulate this mother}
who herself truly brings the glorious King of new light.
She remains a virgin, though bearing in her hands a Son begotten before the daystar,
whom Simeon, taking him in his arms, proclaimed to the people
to be the Lord of life and death, and Savior of the world.”
—Responsory Adorna thalamum tuum for the Candlemas Procession
A feast and gala procession in honor of Jesus’ Presentation in the Temple was celebrated by Jerusalem Christians at least as early as the late 4th century. It took place 40 days after the feast of the Lord’s birth since the Jewish law required a mother to undergo a rite of purification 40 days following childbirth. In St. Luke’s account of the Presentation, Simeon is recorded as proclaiming Jesus as “a light of revelation to the Gentiles.” And so at the beginning of the eighth century, Pope Sergius inaugurated a candlelight procession on this day. Several years later the blessing and distribution of candles were added to the celebration. Hence this day came to be known as Candlemas. Simeon’s canticle, known as the Nunc Dimittis, is prayed daily in the Church’s office of Night prayer or Compline. The feast is celebrated by the Eastern Orthodox Church on February 2nd and is called Hypapante (Meeting) commemorating Jesus’ meeting in the Temple with the aged Simeon and prophetess Anna.
The Prophecy of Simeon
This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” This feast is the link between Christmas and Lent; for even in the joy of the feast—Our Lady's purification and the presentation of the infant, Simeon's words to Our Lady give us a foreshadowing of the suffering of her Son in which she will share.
This year we pray for mothers throughout the world especially those living in the devastation of war whose hearts are being pierced by the suffering of their loved ones. May the words from the 7th century sermon of St. Sophronius be our prayer for them.
“The Mother of God, the most pure Virgin, carried the true light in her arms and brought him to those who lay in darkness. We too should carry a light for all to see and reflect the radiance of the true light as we hasten to meet him. The light has come and has shone upon a world enveloped in shadows; the Dayspring from on high has visited us and given light to those who lived in darkness. This, then, is our feast, and we join in procession with lighted candles to reveal the light that has shone upon us and the glory that is yet to come to us through him. So let us hasten all together to meet our God.”
The Great "O" Antiphons Begin at Vespers!
Beginning on December 17th until the Vigil of Christmas, the Great ‘O’ Antiphons are chanted each evening at Vespers. Notable for their distinct theological and musical excellence, they are prayed at Vespers because of the belief that it was at the evening hour of the world that the Savior was born. So as to also honor the Mother of God, they precede the Magnificat, Mary's prayer. Vespers is sung with great solemnity: candle-bearers stand on each side of the Hebdomadarian who, standing in the center of the monastic choir, intones the 'O' Antiphon and sings the special Collect for the day. The Magnificat is sung on the Solemn tone and all the bells are rung from the intonation of the 'O' Antiphon to the end of the final prayer. All are invited to our Church of Jesu Fili Mariae to join us at 5:00 pm (4:30 on Sunday) for this liturgy.
Read beautiful poetic English translations of the 'O' Antiphons by classicist and Abbey friend, Joseph T. Moller, who offers some background to these ancient antiphons.
Listen to O Radix Jesse and the Solemn Magnificat sung by the Regina Laudis Choir.
Golden Jubilee Year of Mother Hildegard
During the year 2023, Mother Hildegard George celebrated her Golden Jubilee, 50 years of vowed life. At Mass on July 11th, the Feast of St. Benedict, Mother renewed her Profession of Vows to God through the Community. She had desired that the Priesthood be the guiding theme of her celebration and in God's faithfulness, her wish was granted. The Mass was concelebrated by five priests: Father Vincent Gilmore, Father Mel Strazicich, Father Chad Green, Father Scott Braathen, and Father Ezekiel Lotz, OSB, our Chaplain in Residence, who was the main celebrant and homilist. Through the efforts of our younger community members and interns, our dairy barn was transformed into a colorful, flower-filled, sunny space, fitting for a Mexican Fiesta. The Community managed, with Father Ezekiel's help, to pull off a Mexican Meal which is not easy when the Jubilarian to be celebrated is a fabulous cook with roots in California. Throughout the Jubilee Year relatives, friends, and Oblates came to the monastery to celebrate privately with Mother Hildegard, reminiscing and thanking God for the ways her vocation has enriched their lives.
Read about Mother Hildegard and see a gallery of images from her monastic life.
The Season of Advent and Christmas Begins
“Creator and star nurturing
Eternal Light for believers
Christ Redeemer of all,
Hear the prayer of us suppliants.
”
—From the Advent Vespers Hymn Conditor Alme Siderum
The Christmas Season begins with the First Sunday of Advent and continues through Epiphany to the Baptism of the Lord. It is one of our most intense, yet enriching times. Both the liturgy and the chants proper to this season express this intensity, moving from a sense of anticipation during Advent to the wonder of the Incarnation—God made man—and the joy of the Nativity.
Read more about the Advent and Christmas liturgies.
Check this page later for our Liturgy Schedule for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Our Lady of Sorrows—Stabat Mater
On the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, September 15th, we ponder Our Lady as she stands at the foot of the Cross in her identification with her Son. In this moment the prophecy of Simeon—that her heart would be pierced with a sword—is fulfilled, and in her compassion she experiences what St. Bernard calls the martyrdom of her soul. The Sequence, Stabat Mater, is sung at Mass on the feast just before the Gospel. Attributed to the Franciscan Friar Jacopone da Todi (ca. 1230–1306), this beautiful hymn has been set to music by numerous composers throughout the centuries, including Vivaldi, Bach and Arvo Pärt. The ancient Gregorian Chant version that we sing is haunting and accompanied by the tolling of a bell.
We are pleased to share with you an Original English Translation of the Stabat Mater Sequence offered to us by classicist, Joseph T. Moller.
2023 Retreat for Young Women from Northern Parishes
During July 2023 the monastery sponsored a retreat for high school girls from St. Joseph Parish, Ferndale, St. Peter Parish, Deming, St. Anne Mission, Blaine, and St. Joachim Mission, Lummi. Our retreat began with a wonderful lecture in our chapel by Theologian Sydney Ruth Palmer C' de Baca. Her subject, The Spirituality of Matter introduced the theme of our retreat. The next day the girls were able to dive into matter first-hand: feeding pigs and cows, milking sheep, and learning how to weave. Monastery Oblate, Karen Anderson, a master weaver, gave a lecture on the history of weaving and introduced the retreatants to the looms they would use in our dairy barn, now transformed into a weaving studio with a view to our pastures. We were spoiled by the fabulous meals prepared by St. Joseph parishioners, Sonja and Greg Wolf, including fresh soft ice cream, made possible when Greg resurrected and wired the ice cream machine that had served many youth retreats in past summers.
We were blessed with the homilies of our Chaplain, Father Ezekiel Lotz, OSB, who offered reflections relating the works of the retreat to the daily Mass readings. In the choreography of the Spirit, the day after the retreatants learned about the role of grass and reeds in basket-weaving, we heard in the first reading at Mass from the Book of Exodus:
Pharaoh's daughter came down to the river to bathe,
while her maids walked along the river bank. Noticing the basket among the reeds, she sent her handmaid to fetch it.
Our schedule included Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Vespers and Father Ezekiel made himself available for the Sacrament of Confession. We prayed Compline in English in our Chapel so our guests could participate. One evening the girls and their chaperones prayed Compline at Cedar Rock Preserve overlooking the ocean, with a glorious sky just before sundown.
On our last night together the monastic community shared a meal with our guests, which gave them a chance to ask the nuns about their vocation and call to Benedictine Life and to show off the fruits of their weaving workshop. The evening ended with a moving presentation by Carolina Walters, a student of the Benedictine Leadership Studies program at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe PA, about her summer internship with us. There were many emotional goodbyes at the ferry dock as our guests departed for the mainland. They carried with them a newly woven altar cloth, fruit of their work together under Karen's guidance, to be shared by St. Joseph's Church and the St. Anne and St. Joachim Missions. Everyone agreed that our four days together were truly blessed. Father Ezekiel summed it up beautifully in his last homily:
As you ferry back to the mainland for the rest of your Summer Break 2023, detach yourself from this place and from us, and the pigs, and sheep, and the birds, and the fields, and the woods, and the beach, and the stars. Begin to give yourselves over completely to God—in thanksgiving for His being our loving creator and for giving us this time together here on Shaw. But do not forget this place or these sisters nor fail to come back again and to do so frequently if you like! Do not be afraid of abandoning yourself to God. For the burden of His cross is light and easy and full of hope.
From the Homily of Father Ezekiel on the Gospel of Matthew 11:28-30
We owe special thanks to those who made the retreat possible:
Father Francis Thumby and St. Joseph's Parish
Dawn Zimmerman, Pastoral Assistant for Children and Youth Ministry, Northwest Corner Catholic Community
Philip S. Gubbins and the Northern Deanery Serra Group for their generous financial assistance
Enjoy this Gallery of the Young Women's Retreat
(Click to enlarge.)
Entrance of Mary White as a Postulant
On the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 16, 2023, Mary White entered Our Lady of the Rock Monastery as a postulant. Mary was born in Gretna, Louisiana to Bill and Denise White. As the eldest of 11 children, Mary learned from an early age to cook, clean, and care for her siblings and grandparents. She received her education in the Faith at her Parish, St. Peter’s in Covington, LA and at home especially with her father’s guidance. Mary received a Bachelor of Art and Master’s Degree in Psychology at Southeastern Louisiana University.
Mary worked as a Life Coach at Trinity Teen Solutions, a residential ranch for Catholic girls in Wyoming. She also worked as a Rehabilitation Therapist within the Louisiana Prison System and was the Coordinator of the Youth Catechetical Program at the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans in the Diocese of Shreveport, LA. Mary participated in our monastic internship before becoming a pre-postulant in 2022. During this time Mary took care of our animals: feeding our beef herd, and milking and caring for our sheep. She learned how to bake bread and weave. She has been a wonderful presence to our visitors and interns in our guest houses and chapel. Her cooking and freshly-baking cookies are very much appreciated by all.
Before Vespers of the Feast of the Sacred Heart, our Oblates and friends who have come to know Mary during her time in the Northwest accompanied her walking up to our chapel. Mary knocked loudly on the chapel door which was answered by Mother Prioress Noella who asked: “What do you seek?” Upon hearing Mary’s personal answer, Mother Prioress opened the door for Mary to enter, followed by our guests. Mary knelt before the altar to receive a blessing from our chaplain Father Ezekiel, OSB, and Mother Prioress. Then Mother Prioress led her to her stall in the monastic choir. The community sang with great joy: Suscepimus, Deus, misericordiam tuam in medio templi tui./ We have received your mercy, O God, in the midst of your temple. Rejoice with us as Mary begins her monastic life.
Enjoy this Gallery of Mary White's Entrance
(Click to enlarge.)
Corpus Christi
In the monastic tradition the Feast of Corpus Christiis celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday and in the parishes on the following Sunday. Also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, the feast was first introduced in in 1246 by Bishop Robert Torote of Liège, who was inspired by the revelations of St. Juliana of Liège. In 1264 Pope Urban the IV, former Archbishop of Liège, instituted the Solemnity of Corpus Christi to be observed by the universal Church on the Thursday after Pentecost to honor the real presence of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist. Initially the feast was celebrated on Thursday in commemoration of the Last Supper and the Institution of the Eucharist. During the Pontificate of Pope St. Paul the VI, the celebration in parishes was transfered to Sundays to allow more members of the Faithful to participate in the Corpus Christi liturgy and procession.
At Mass we sing the Sequence Lauda Sion. We are privileged to offer here an original translation of the Lauda Sion by the community's friend and colleague, classicist Joseph T. Moller.
Pentecost
The Feast of Pentecost, fifty days after Easter, is the Birthday of the Church when after the Ascension the disciples received the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus. The Third Person of the Trinity, the Advocate whom the Father sends to us, was described as "dew" in the 2nd century homily of St. Irenaeus:
If we are not to be scorched and made unfruitful, we need the dew of God. Since we have our accuser, we need an advocate as well.
See an original English translation of the beautiful sequence Veni Sancte Spiritus which is sung at Mass on Pentecost.
Paschaltide
Our candlemaker at the Abbey of Regina Laudis, Mother Lioba Postel, inscribed our Paschal candle this year with blue and yellow, the national colors of Ukraine. Our thoughts and concerns during the Lenten Season and celebration of the Triduum were directed toward Ukraine in the profound suffering and grief this courageous People has been bearing. During Paschaltide as we behold the beauty of the candle and its flame, we echo the prayer the celebrant said as he embedded the incense into the candle during the blessing at the Easter Vigil: By His holy and glorious wounds, may Christ the Lord guard us and protect us. And may He guard and protect the people of Ukraine in their Passion.
This year we had a beautiful celebration of the Triduum and Easter, our first with our new chaplain in residence, Father Ezekiel Lotz, O.S.B. Our Oblates, guests, and interns enriched our celebration of the Holy Week Sequence beginning on Palm Sunday and culminating in an Easter Vigil. Pope Benedict XVI spoke of the intensity and significance of the Triduum in this way:
These three days could be considered one single day. They reveal the heart and are the key to both the liturgical year and the life of the Church.
Thirty years full spent
Full in time and body,
Himself willing and born for this
To His passion gave Himself
As a lamb on the cross is raised
To be sacrificed on a tree.
Passiontide begins on the fifth week of Lent, also called First Passion Sunday. At Vespers on Saturday we sing the beautiful 6th Century hymn by Venantius Fortunatus, Vexilla Regis. We are pleased to offer original translation by Monastery friend and classicist Joseph Moller. His translation and notes on the text, explaining the emblems of the Passion drawn from ancient Roman military metaphors, provide a rich mediation on the Cross holding the body of Our King.
Read an original translation of the Passiontide hymn VEXILLA REGISas well as the translator's notes.
The hymn Crux Fidelis is sung by our monastic choir and choirs throughout the world during the Adoration of the Cross Ceremony on Good Friday. The hymn was also composed by Venantius Fortunatus. It is a hymn many of us have sung for years, yet this stunning translation done by Joseph Moller in 2018 brings it alive in a new way. One cannot but be pierced by the images connecting Christmas to the Passion, from the newborn in swaddling clothes to the grown Man, Our Redeemer on the Cross: “Thirty years full spent...”
We pray that this translation of CRUX FIDELIS will enrich your
celebration of the Good Friday Liturgy.
Advent and Christmas
“Creator and star nurturing
Eternal Light for believers
Christ Redeemer of all,
Hear the prayer of us suppliants.
”
—From the Advent Vespers Hymn Conditor Alme Siderum
The Christmas Season begins with the First Sunday of Advent and continues through Epiphany to the Baptism of the Lord. It is one of our most intense, yet enriching times. Both the liturgy and the chants proper to this season express this intensity, moving from a sense of anticipation during Advent to the wonder of the Incarnation—God made man—and the joy of the Nativity.
The beautiful covering for our lecturn that we use during Advent was woven from Shetland wool by our Oblate Karen Anderson. The color purple was chosen for Advent and the pattern she created is a Star of David, a visual reminder that the genealogy of Jesus traces back to King David:
"This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham." (Matthew 1:1-17)
The Great 'O" Antiphons Beginning on December 17th until the Vigil of Christmas, the Great ‘O’ Antiphons are chanted each evening at Vespers. Notable for their distinct theological and musical excellence, they are prayed at Vespers because of the belief that it was at the evening hour of the world that the Savior was born. So as to also honor the Mother of God, they precede the Magnificat, Mary's prayer. Vespers is sung with great solemnity: candle-bearers stand on each side of the Hebdomadarian who, standing in the center of the monastic choir, intones the 'O' Antiphon and sings the special Collect for the day. The Magnificat is sung on the Solemn tone. All are invited to our Chapel to join us at 5:00 pm (4:30 on Sunday) for this liturgy.
DECEMBER 17th O Sapientia quae ex ore Altissimi prodiisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem, fortiter suaviterque disponens omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae.
We are pleased to present beautiful poetic English translations of the 'O' Antiphons by classicist, Joseph T. Moller, who offers some background to these ancient antiphons:
Forgive us for war, O Lord.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners!
Lord Jesus, born in the shadows of bombs falling on Kyiv, have mercy on us!
Lord Jesus, who died in a mother’s arms in a bunker in Kharkiv, have mercy on us!
Lord Jesus, a 20-year-old sent to the front lines, have mercy on us!
Lord Jesus, who still behold armed hands in the shadow of your Cross, have mercy on us!
On March 16, 2022, during his Wednesday morning audience in St. Peter's Square, our Holy Father Pope Francis offered a stunning prayer laden with heartbreaking images of the suffering people of Ukraine. In his plea for peace, he asks for God's mercy on each one of us, who as sinners, are capable of cruelty and violence toward our brother. Read the entire Prayer: Forgive us for war, O Lord.
Update on the Benedictine Nuns of Ukraine
(From AIM Alliance for International Monasticism)
On Friday, March 4th, the Sisters of Immaculate Conception Abbey in Ukraine had to flee the monastery in Zhytomyr due to Russian attacks in the area. They arrived safely in Lviv and are now at the monastery with the rest of their Benedictine sisters and brothers. They are about 30 miles from the border of Poland. They continue to receive and shelter migrants fleeing from Kiev, Mariupol and other destroyed cities. The number of migrants increases daily. They are sheltering over 150 people using every space in the monastery; over 50 are children, including at least one newborn. The guests, along with the sisters, assist in cooking and cleaning.
A message from Mother Abbess Klara: "We sisters are very happy that we can help and serve the refugees .. and bring them joy .. after the horror of the war they went through here it seems to them that they are in paradise .. we try to provide them with everything they need .. we are not doing anything extraordinary .. we are doing what each of us would do .. we are glad that we are all here together…"
Lecture by Professor William Wohlforth: Russia-Ukraine Crisis: What Are the Implications?
“Russia's invasion of Ukraine has captured the world's attention. But what are the real interests of those involved in the crisis: the Russians, the West, and the Ukrainians themselves?”
—William Wohlforth, Daniel Webster Professor of Government, Dartmouth College
William Wohlforth, son of our Mother Felicitas, is the Daniel Webster Professor of Government and Faculty Director of the Dartmouth Initiative for Global Security at the Dickey Center for International Understanding. A foremost scholar in international relations, his areas of expertise are international security, strategy, and Russian foreign policy. Professor Wohlforth presents a clear and comprehensive presentation of the events that led up to the horrific invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022.
The 35 minute lecture, Russia-Ukraine Crisis: What Are the Implications?, accompanied by maps, graphs, and photographs is followed by excellent questions from Cheryl Bascomb, Vice- president of Alumni Relations. View the lecture at the Dartmouth Alumni site.
Visit of Abbot Marion Qui-Thac Nguyen, O.S.B.
BACKGROUND TO THE FEAST
February 10th is the Feast of St. Scholastica, the sister of St. Benedict. Pope St. Gregory the Great in the Second Book of the Dialogues Containing the Life and Miracles of St. Benedict of Nursia tells us of a miracle wrought by St. Scholastica. St. Gregory recounts that one night St. Scholastica prevailed upon her brother to disobey his Rule and instead of returning to his Abbey with his monks, to stay with her talking and praying through the night.
St. Scholastica by Mother Praxedes
Abbey of Regina Laudis
Though she did not tell him why, she intuited that her death was near. With his strong sense of justice, St. Benedict refused her, but her tears of supplication to God caused a sudden violent storm that prevented him from leaving. St Gregory says: And so by that means they watched all night, and with spiritual and heavenly talk did mutually comfort one another. When St. Gregory's disciple Peter, who knew the power of St. Benedict through his miracles, wondered why in this instance St. Benedict did not get his way, Pope St. Gregory explains that St. Scholastica was "...able to do more because she loved more/Plus potuit quia plus amavit."
Our monastery was blessed on this special feast this year by the visit of Abbot Marion Qui-Thac Nguyen, O.S.B., of St. Martin's Abbey in Lacey, Washington. Abbot Marion was elected abbot in June 2020 and received his abbatial blessing on August 15th of that year. The bonds between Our Lady of the Rock and St. Martin's were forged years ago when Mother Therese Critchley, our Foundress, met Abbot Neal Roth, O.S.B. when he served as a Pastor in Sacred Heart Church in Lacey. Following his election, Abbot Neal made time in his busy schedule as Abbot and Chancellor of St. Martin's University to visit our community a few times a year. We had never met Abbot Marion in person and his two days here enlivened our community, as we celebrated the Office and Mass together. Our sanctuary was adorned with beautiful red, yellow and white roses and three orchids, gifts of Abbot Marion. And of course Mother Hildegard outdid herself preparing a sumptuous meal of local salmon over which the community shared wonderful conversation with Abbot Marion, certainly in the spirit of Saints Benedict and Scholastica!
60th Jubilee of Our Foundress Mother Therese Critchley
Our celebration of St. Scholastica was made even richer by the fact that it was the 60th anniversary of Mother Therese Critchley's Vows. Mother Therese is the Foundress of Our Lady of the Rock and was Prioress from 1985-2020. She came to Shaw Island in 1977 with two other nuns from Regina Laudis to establish a monastic foundation in the San Juan Islands. Under her inspiration and direction our Chapel, renowned for its simple beauty and peace, was built in 1995. To this day she is the first one in the chapel lighting the altar candles and preparing the choir for the Office of Lauds. Mother Therese started our raw milk dairy and the milk of our hand-milked Jersey herd was sought after by mothers from the neighboring islands for their children. And her cheese was sold throughout San Juan County. Her gentle touch as infirmarian brings healing to both people and animals. We will continue to celebrate her jubilee throughout the year.
From the PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL:
Deep waters cannot quench love, nor floods sweep it away.
For Mother Therese on the 60th anniversary of her Vows, whose purity of heart and love for God reflected in her whole being, cannot be quenched, may we each recommit to bringing Our Lady of the Rock which she founded into the future.
Our Chapel Has a New Roof!
“Fundamentally, of course, this house of God has a uniqueness because of its purpose: to be a place for worship. It is not merely a place in which to pray; it is itself a prayer. Everything in this
sacred space was created to elevate the soul heavenward: through the senses, the emotions, and eventually, through the faculties of the soul—the intellect and the will.
” —From the Homily of Abbot Neal Roth, O.S.B., at the Chapel Dedication
Our Monastic Chapel has been called an architectural jewel of the Northwest. Those who enter the chapel for the first time often gasp at its beauty and no matter their religious persuasion, find peace there that draws them to return again and again. The chapel was designed by architect Joseph Giampietro in 1995 and blessed in 1997.
October 2021 saw the restoration of our chapel roof by Mt. Baker Roofing Inc. of Bellingham. The roof had been leaking over the last couple of years with water staining the wall above our tabernacle and creating small puddles on the beautiful wooden floors. The new 50-year composition roof and vented assembly for air flow will protect the chapel from moisture and decay. This renovation project affirms the commitment of our community to build the future and to the continuity of praise in this sacred space for generations to come. We look forward, in hope, to seeing you again in our chapel.
Thank you for your generosity that made the chapel roof restoration possible!
On the Feast of Pentecost, May 23, 2021, the Most Rev. Paul D. Etienne, Archbishop of Seattle, announced that Rev. Albert Arulappan, H.G.N. had been named Priest Administrator for St. Francis Parish, Friday Harbor, Lopez Island Station, Eastsound Station
and Shaw Island. Our monastic community and the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, have been blessed by Father Albert's ministry in his celebration of Mass for us in our chapel here every other week for two years. Father Albert is a member of the Heralds of Good News, a Missionary Society of Apostolic Life, originating in Eluru, India. Archbishop Etienne also announced that Father Clarence Jones has been appointed as the Parochial Vicar of St. Francis Parish and the respective island ministries. Father Clarence was previously the Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Parish in
Enumclaw and St. Aloysius Parish in Buckley, WA. A native of Vallejo, California, he was a Member of the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, from 1984-1995. Father Clarence began serving in the Archdiocese of Seattle in 1995 and was incardinated into the Archdiocese in the year 2000. Although this is Father's first trip to the San Juan Islands, he is quite at home living on or near the sea, having served in the United States Navy from 1973-1977, on the US Semmes DDG 18 battleship.
With this good news from the Archbishop also came the bittersweet news that Rev. Watson Paramasivam, H.G.N., who has been the Priest Administrator for St. Francis Parish and ministered to our communities on Shaw and the islands for four years, would be returning to India. Due to the tremendous backlog of applications at the U.S. Immigration Services during the Covid-19 pandemic, Father Watson's religious worker visa was due to expire before his permanent residency petition could be processed. However, with India suffering an overwhelming surge of the Coronavirus, Father Watson is unable to return to India at this time, so will join Rev. Father Cal Christiansen at St. Pius X Parish in Mountlake Terrace during this interim period. We owe a debt of gratitude to Father Watson for his faithful service to us and the depth of his homilies that have nourished us during his four year ministry in the San Juan Islands.
The Year of St. Joseph
In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Pope Pius IX’s declaration of St. Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church, Pope Francis proclaimed a special Year of St. Joseph, starting on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady, December 8, 2020 through December 8, 2021.
During the year 2020 in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mother Dilecta Planansky celebrated her Golden Jubilee, 50 years of vowed life. A celebration with family and friends had been planned, but due to the pandemic, our public celebration was canceled. In spite of this disappointment, on the Feast of Corpus Christi, Mother Dilecta with great grace gave herself fully to our intimate celebration at the monastery. She radiated an interior joy as she renewed her Vows to God through the Community of Our Lady of the Rock.
Read about Mother Dilecta and see a Gallery of her Jubilee Celebration and Monastic Life.
Installation of New Prioress
The Abbess and Community of the Abbey of Regina Laudis are pleased to announce the appointment and installation of Rev. Mother Noella Marcellino, OSB, as the second Prioress of Our Lady of the Rock Monastery on Shaw Island, Washington on September 18, 2020. Mother Noella succeeds Rev. Mother Therese Critchley, OSB, Foundress, and Prioress since 1985. In 1977 Mother Therese left Regina Laudis with two other intrepid members of the community to pioneer the establishment of this remote island foundation. Through her inspired and faithful leadership, the community built a highly-respected farm and houses of hospitality, at the heart of which remains the monastic chapel, an architectural jewel and spiritual center for the people of the Pacific Northwest.
Mother Prioress Noella Marcellino, OSB, a nun of Regina Laudis since 1973, has been with the community of Our Lady of the Rock for the past two years. She holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Connecticut and through her internationally-regarded work on the cheese ripening process became known as “The Cheese Nun.” She also teaches Gregorian Chant, manages the websites for both communities, and has many years of monastic experience as a guest-mistress and sought-after speaker.
Please join us in giving thanks to God for the lives of these two dedicated women as we ask for continued blessings on the future of the Priory of Our Lady of the Rock.
“The Mother of God, the most pure Virgin, carried the true light in her arms and brought him to those who lay in darkness. We too should carry a light for all to see and reflect the radiance of the true light as we hasten to meet him. The light has come and has shone upon a world enveloped in shadows; the Dayspring from on high has visited us and given light to those who lived in darkness. This, then, is our feast, and we join in procession with lighted candles to reveal the light that has shone upon us and the glory that is yet to come to us through him. So let us hasten all together to meet our God.”
The next day the girls were able to dive into matter first-hand: feeding pigs and cows, milking sheep, and learning how to weave. Monastery Oblate, Karen Anderson, a master weaver, gave a lecture on the history of weaving and introduced the retreatants to the looms they would use in our dairy barn, now transformed into a weaving studio with a view to our pastures. We were spoiled by the fabulous meals prepared by St. Joseph parishioners, Sonja and Greg Wolf, including fresh soft ice cream, made possible when Greg resurrected and wired the ice cream machine that had served many youth retreats in past summers.
Our schedule included Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Vespers and Father Ezekiel made himself available for the Sacrament of Confession. We prayed Compline in English in our Chapel so our guests could participate. One evening the girls and their chaperones prayed Compline at Cedar Rock Preserve overlooking the ocean, with a glorious sky just before sundown.
On our last night together the monastic community shared a meal with our guests, which gave them a chance to ask the nuns about their vocation and call to Benedictine Life and to show off the fruits of their weaving workshop. The evening ended with a moving presentation by Carolina Walters, a student of the Benedictine Leadership Studies program at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe PA, about her summer internship with us. There were many emotional goodbyes at the ferry dock as our guests departed for the mainland. They carried with them a newly woven altar cloth, fruit of their work together under Karen's guidance, to be shared by St. Joseph's Church and the St. Anne and St. Joachim Missions. Everyone agreed that our four days together were truly blessed. Father Ezekiel summed it up beautifully in his last homily:
The beautiful covering for our lecturn that we use during Advent was woven from Shetland wool by our Oblate Karen Anderson. The color purple was chosen for Advent and the pattern she created is a Star of David, a visual reminder that the genealogy of Jesus traces back to King David:
Beginning on December 17th until the Vigil of Christmas, the Great ‘O’ Antiphons are chanted each evening at Vespers. Notable for their distinct theological and musical excellence, they are prayed at Vespers because of the belief that it was at the evening hour of the world that the Savior was born. So as to also honor the Mother of God, they precede the Magnificat, Mary's prayer. Vespers is sung with great solemnity: candle-bearers stand on each side of the Hebdomadarian who, standing in the center of the monastic choir, intones the 'O' Antiphon and sings the special Collect for the day. The Magnificat is sung on the Solemn tone. All are invited to our Chapel to join us at 5:00 pm (4:30 on Sunday) for this liturgy.
DECEMBER 17th
Our celebration of St. Scholastica was made even richer by the fact that it was the 60th anniversary of Mother Therese Critchley's Vows. Mother Therese is the Foundress of Our Lady of the Rock and was Prioress from 1985-2020. She came to Shaw Island in 1977 with two other nuns from Regina Laudis to establish a monastic foundation in the San Juan Islands. Under her inspiration and direction our Chapel, renowned for its simple beauty and peace, was built in 1995. To this day she is the first one in the chapel lighting the altar candles and preparing the choir for the Office of Lauds. Mother Therese started our raw milk dairy and the milk of our hand-milked Jersey herd was sought after by mothers from the neighboring islands for their children. And her cheese was sold throughout San Juan County. Her gentle touch as infirmarian brings healing to both people and animals. We will continue to celebrate her jubilee throughout the year.
October 2021 saw the restoration of our chapel roof by Mt. Baker Roofing Inc. of Bellingham. The roof had been leaking over the last couple of years with water staining the wall above our tabernacle and creating small puddles on the beautiful wooden floors. The new 50-year composition roof and vented assembly for air flow will protect the chapel from moisture and decay. This renovation project affirms the commitment of our community to build the future and to the continuity of praise in this sacred space for generations to come. We look forward, in hope, to seeing you again in our chapel. 
Our monastic community and the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, have been blessed by Father Albert's ministry in his celebration of Mass for us in our chapel here every other week for two years. Father Albert is a member of the Heralds of Good News, a Missionary Society of Apostolic Life, originating in Eluru, India. Archbishop Etienne also announced that Father Clarence Jones has been appointed as the Parochial Vicar of St. Francis Parish and the respective island ministries. Father Clarence was previously the Parochial Vicar of Sacred Heart Parish in
Enumclaw and St. Aloysius Parish in Buckley, WA. A native of Vallejo, California, he was a Member of the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, from 1984-1995. 
Father Clarence began serving in the Archdiocese of Seattle in 1995 and was incardinated into the Archdiocese in the year 2000. Although this is Father's first trip to the San Juan Islands, he is quite at home living on or near the sea, having served in the United States Navy from 1973-1977, on the US Semmes DDG 18 battleship.
monastic chapel, an architectural jewel and spiritual center for the people of the Pacific Northwest.
