By day, guest blogger K.P.—a good friend of Sister Julia’s—reads, writes, and has conversations about literature for a living. By night, she devours theology, sits silently with God, and pursues her calling as a lay order Franciscan through affiliation with FSPA. Each month she will share a favorite selection from her “Franciscan Bookshelf.” For 25Continue reading “Franciscan Bookshelf: A Simplified Life: A Contemporary Hermit’s Experience of Solitude and Silence”
Tag Archives: simplicity
Old-fashioned trunk-centered simplicity
I admire my sisters’ tales of trunks. Long before I entered the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration – and long before Vatican II for that matter – the common, communal practice was that every sister had to fit all of her personal property into one trunk. Our Franciscan lifestyle is an itinerant one. As sistersContinue reading “Old-fashioned trunk-centered simplicity”
The process of lightening up my living
A few weeks ago, my whole life flashed before my eyes. Well, maybe it didn’t actually flash. But, I really did feel I re-lived my 33 years of living in five days. In those five days, I looked at all of my stuff and made a choice about whether to keep each item (not the goal), throw itContinue reading “The process of lightening up my living”
Motherhood and Not-So-Simple Simplicity
By guest blogger Nicole Steele Wooldridge I always used to find it challenging to live out the value of simplicity in a contemporary Western context. Now, as a mom, I find it nearly impossible. I am blessed to be the mother of a twenty-month-old daughter and another little girl due in two months. I desperatelyContinue reading “Motherhood and Not-So-Simple Simplicity”
a shoe story
One of my core faith principles is that God will provide for all our needs. Recently, a little sisterly community experience re-convinced me of this. Last week I renewed my vows. It was a beautiful, joyous event. Several sisters gathered in our chapel, Mary of the Angels, for Taize’ prayer and meditation Friday night. After aContinue reading “a shoe story”
fostering life in farming, pregnancy and meditation
I’ve been thinking, all of us are called to help foster environments where life can flourish. This past week I have been blessed to spend time on my sister and brother-in-law’s organic farm. It was a bit of a retreat, of sorts, as I am in the process of preparing to renew my temporary vowsContinue reading “fostering life in farming, pregnancy and meditation”
On the corner of 12th Ave. and Jefferson
True story shared by guest blogger Liz Diedrich I was happy to see William pull up next to me on his bike. Last I heard he had been stabbed in a fight and I did not know the extent of his injuries. Surprised at the opportunity, I ask him how he was doing. He seemsContinue reading “On the corner of 12th Ave. and Jefferson”
the power of paradox
Our world is a mess and in need of redemption. Christ is coming to save us. Yet, Christ the Light has already come to save us and we are redeemed now. The Kingdom of God is now and not yet. There’s a power in the paradox that teaches us how to hold out hope. YesterdayContinue reading “the power of paradox”
all watch
Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know whenContinue reading “all watch”
the prayer box
Guest blogger Liz Diedrich Praying is hard. It is hard to find time to pray. It is hard to stay focused. It is hard to quiet one’s mind and listen for the subtle movements of God. It is hard when we feel far from God, and it is hard when God asks things of us that weContinue reading “the prayer box”