1. How, like Saint Catherine of Siena, can you make a safe haven in your soul and in your mind to where you can retreat when the world around you becomes tumultuous?
  2. In related fashion, how can we find rest in a busy world? The world seems to place demands on us that do not allow for rest. How can we find it in our day-to-day lives?
  3. How can we strive to shape our culture and society to allow for more rest on a universal scale? For instance, some cultures allow for many months of maternity and paternity leave for parents after the birth of a child, other cultures require both parents to be working within the following days. How do we form a society that is “sabbath-minded,” one in which rest and leisure is valued above humans as productivity machines?

16, 7:18 PM

Lisa C: The world is not built for rest. The garden of eden was, but not the world we live in now.

Jul 24 2016, 7:18 PM

Lisa C: Work is part of life

Jul 24 2016, 7:18 PM

Dawn L: I have been well,thank you

Jul 24 2016, 7:19 PM

Carol Ann: Was the home monastery like the Brooklyn monastery?

Jul 24 2016, 7:19 PM

Lisa C: Rest in God is even more important, because of the way the world is

Jul 24 2016, 7:19 PM

SrSusan (guest): Similar in some ways but more fully monastic and huge

PM

Lisa C: He talks about Monasteries of the same order maybe sharing early formation of novices/postulates

Jul 24 2016, 7:24 PM

Carol Ann: Hi Judy!

Jul 24 2016, 7:24 PM

Lisa C: That would take the burden off Monasteries with many older Sisters

Jul 24 2016, 7:25 PM

Lisa C: Later they can go to the individual Monasteries

Jul 24 2016, 7:25 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) I didn’t read the document. It was just too long to download.

Jul 24 2016, 7:25 PM

 

Jul 24 2016, 7:26 PM

Lisa C: It also expresses the beauty of monastic life. People who do not understand how people want to live that way can read this and understand. It also shows how important the Monasteries are to the Church and all sould.

Jul 24 2016, 7:26 PM

Lisa C: souls

Jul 24 2016, 7:26 PM

Carol Ann: I read a summary of it, and b I saw he called for uniform formation of all postulants within an order, but I didn’t see where he said in only one location

:27 PM

Lisa C: Carol Ann he said share formation to ensure that it is well done

Jul 24 2016, 7:27 PM

SrSusan (guest): Speaking of rest one can find that in a retreat at a monastery

: It’s the same thing

Jul 24 2016, 7:27 PM

Lisa C: This is strange, but I find rest in acceptance of suffering.

Jul 24 2016, 7:28 PM

Lisa C: It has to do with closeness to God, and solitude with Him

Jul 24 2016, 7:28 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) I thoroughly agree about the importance and beauty of Monastic life. Where would we be if we did not have all of the consecrated men and women in Monasteries praying for us!

8 PM

Lisa C: It has to do with Him sending it to help with souls.

Jul 24 2016, 7:29 PM

SrSusan (guest): But to shape our culture for quiet and rest that is a challenge indeed

29 PM

Lisa C: I do not think our culture can be shaped to rest

Jul 24 2016, 7:29 PM

Carol Ann: I have experienced two different types of formation. The bond formed between people as they go through formation together makes it hard for them to separate from each other afterwards

29 PM

Lisa C: One thing that would be good for raising children with working parents is to have grandparents live with parents

Jul 24 2016, 7:30 PM

SrSusan (guest): That is an intereting insight Carol Ann

Jul 24 2016, 7:30 PM

Carol Ann: Now that’s turning current culture upside diwn!

Jul 24 2016, 7:30 PM

Dawn L: big challenge esp in US where many families are have to dlb up jobs to survive

Jul 24 2016, 7:30 PM

Lisa C: Old people are lonely, and young people need child care with quality

Jul 24 2016, 7:31 PM

Dawn L: Lisa to live very near by also helps.

Jul 24 2016, 7:31 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) Well, beginning at the beginning, the question about when the world becomes tumultuous. When that happens, I like to take myself in spirit into a chapel, before the Blessed Sacrament. I can feel His presence there and either speak with Him about things, or just remain still before Him.

Jul 24 2016, 7:31 PM

Dawn L: this is what our family is doing

Jul 24 2016, 7:31 PM

Lisa C: It costs a lot to run more than one household. It would be better to have families in one home

3 PM

Carol Ann: I’m like you Judy. I have paintings on the wall of my chapel to look at too

Jul 24 2016, 7:33 PM

SrSusan (guest): If people have a prayer corner at home that is a place the famuly could quiet down

3 PM

Lisa C: My parents have a room they call the chapel, 7:33 PM

Lisa C: There is no altar, but there are paintings and statues4 PM

Lisa C: My home has them all over

Jul 24 2016, 7:34 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) I have a different view of living with grandparents. When I was growing up, my mom and I lived with her parents. There were many arguments at the dinner table about how I was or was not being disciplined. I frequently left the table in tears. As an adult, I felt that my mom did not have the freedom to deal with me as she wanted, that she was not really allowed to be the parent.

that happened, Judy

Jul 24 2016, 7:35 PM

SrSusan (guest): Years ago people had house chapels- like St Jane

6 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) It would be wonderful if every home had a chapel. I have a corner in my bedroom, but I usually end up in the loving room because it is more comfortable. M

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) Uh, that should be living room.

Jul 24 2016, 7:36 PM

Dawn L: house chapels, such as altar too? I recently watch documentary of family, father was a deacon, they had a chapel aprt from house

:36 PM

Dawn L: house chapels, such as altar too? I recently watch documentary of family, father was a deacon, they had a chapel aprt from house

Jul 24 2016, 7:37 PM

SrSusan (guest): yes and they had daily Mass

Jul 24 2016, 7:37 PM

Lisa C: We would need more Priests

Jul 24 2016, 7:37 PM

Carol Ann: That would be so awesome

Jul 24 2016, 7:37 PM

SrSusan (guest): But comfort is another difference beteen the france monastery and ours Everything was wood and austere

PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) I have often thought that if I had the money, I would buy an old church and make it into a home. I would use the sanctuary as a private chapel and construch the rest of the home around it. PM

Carol Ann: One that may become reality

Jul 24 2016, 7:41 PM

Dawn L: in town next to us, one of parishers did buy the old Catholic parish! I would like to make trip over and see what he is doing, because it is very beautiful

42 PM

Dawn L: Sr Susan, I have this idea that many chapels parishes in France are old, well kept and lovely…is this so?

Jul 24 2016, 7:43 PM

Dawn L: Hi Ruth

Jul 24 2016, 7:43 PM

Carol Ann: Hi Ruth! How are you?

Jul 24 2016, 7:44 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) As to finding rest in our busy world, one way is to truly keep the Sabbath rest, make it a true day of rest. Do necessary cooking on Saturday so that it will not interrupt your day, and do only necessary dishes. Other than that, of course participate in the Eucharist, spend the rest of the day relaxing, perhaps with some peaceful music, reading, playing with the children, visiting family, maybe taking a nap, and of course, extra time for prayer.

Jul 24 2016, 7:44 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) Hi Ruth! How are you feeling?

Jul 24 2016, 7:46 PM

Ruth (guest): Hello everyone. Just trying to catch up again. Glad to see you are back Sr Susan You were missed. But Judy did a lot to try to keep us on topic.

Jul 24 2016, 7:47 PM

SrSusan (guest): yes Dawn

PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) Did anyone see the movie “Duns Scotus” on EWTN? I think of the chapel in that monastery, very old, filled with wood (which I love, and candles all over the place. The only problem, as is the case today, there was too much talking taking place among the monke. Counseling should have been done in a conference room or a private room

Jul 24 2016, 7:48 PM

Dawn L: Finding rest.. decreasing outside stimulus news TV, this is helpful to me. it is very easy to get caught up in current things, like a distraction. temptation to distraction.

Jul 24 2016, 7:48 PM

SrSusan (guest): So few keep Sunday for what is was meant to be

meant to be

Jul 24 2016, 7:50 PM

Dawn L: usually watch but missed ewtn movie last night

Jul 24 2016, 7:50 PM

Carol Ann: I remember when I first came to Santa Barbara for school in 79, all the stores were closed on Sundays except for movies and restaurants

Jul 24 2016, 7:51 PM

Dawn L: Yes Carol!

Jul 24 2016, 7:51 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) This is something I am really working. I am determined to keep the Sabbath rest. The only work I might do on Sunday is some dishes. Other than that, most of my day is spent quietly, and working on the chat questions.

PM

Carol Ann: The next year it was abbreviated hours like 13-5. The next year all bets were off and it bexam like the big cuties, open most of the time

Jul 24 2016, 7:53 PM

Lisa C: Mother, what happens in holy hour

:53 PM

Lisa C: Mother, what happens in holy hour

Jul 24 2016, 7:53 PM

Lisa C: What kind of prayer

Jul 24 2016, 7:53 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) Aha, Sister Susan! You need to start doing the cooking for Sunday on Saturday. That would make your Sunday easier.

Jul 24 2016, 7:53 PM

Dawn L: Judy, my error, this was story where he argued for Immaculate Conception?

Jul 24 2016, 7:53 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) Yep!

Jul 24 2016, 7:53 PM

SrSusan (guest): We start with adoration of the Blessed sacrament exposed, then say the rosary together then have evening prayer

, 7:56 PM

Lisa C: I do agree nature is restful and brings me close to God who made all the wondersPM

SrSusan (guest): Yes the other prayers

Jul 24 2016, 7:55 PM

SrSusan (guest): I think rest also means contemplation, and being in nature

Jul 24 2016, 7:56 PM

Lisa C: I do agree nature is restful and brings me close to God who made all the wonders

Jul 24 2016, 7:56 PM

Lisa C: Tiny flowers, giant trees, sweet animals

7:56 PM

Dawn L: birds singing hymns

Jul 24 2016, 7:56 PM

Carol Ann: The ocean and waves for us too

7:57 PM

SrSusan (guest): Maybe for a start we need to “reward” quiet as we do accomplishment to encourage people to look formit

Jul 24 2016, 7:57 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (JUdy) I have a theory about adoration holy hours– that they should be strictly for prayers of worship, adoration only. Rosary, and Liturgy of the Hours and other prayers should be reserved for other times. I usually do such things as pray the Gloria, the Holy, Holy,Holy, use the many titles of Jesus, sing hymns of praise to myself and if I get to it these days, I would say my Litany of Praise.

9 PM

Lisa C: Maria in the Sound of Music went to the hills

Jul 24 2016, 7:59 PM

SrSusan (guest): what do the rest of all of us think

7:59 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) We really do spend so little time praising God. 9 PM

Lisa C: Yes, I think the rosary is better separate from adorationPM

Carol Ann: Mostly I do prayers of Adoration or the Divine mercy. I usually say the rosary separately, 7:59 PM

Lisa C: Yes, I think the rosary is better separate from adoration

Jul 24 2016, 7:59 PM

Carol Ann: Mostly I do prayers of Adoration or the Divine mercy. I usually say the rosary separately

Jul 24 2016, 8:00 PM

Dawn L: because of the area I live in I see people packing out on trails which gives me a view that the more chaotic the world, the more people are seeking solitude in nature

Jul 24 2016, 8:00 PM

Lisa C: I do not think it is wrong to say the rosary during adoration, but it distracts from conversing with Jesus

Jul 24 2016, 8:00 PM

SrSusan (guest): The Liturgy of Hours is considered prayer of praise though I believe and certainly the doxologies are

, 8:01 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) Perhaps the Liturgy of the Hours could end the time of adoration, but not be positioned in the midst of it.

Jul 24 2016, 8:02 PM

SrSusan (guest): That’s how we do it- at the end

2016, 8:02 PM

Lisa C: I like adoration to be quiet sitting with Jesus

Jul 24 2016, 8:02 PM

Lisa C: kneeling too

Jul 24 2016, 8:02 PM

Dawn L: such a gift to be able to go to Adoration often! praise be Jesus

M

Ruth (guest): I like that idea, too. Sometimes even Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament becomes a bit too “busy” for me. The formal/verbal prayers interrupt the silent simply “being with” the Lover. 4 PM

Carol Ann: Come my love, my lovely one comePM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) And now to the final question about shaping our culture and society to allow for more rest. Perhaps we could begin a movement to have all businesses close on Sundays as they did in the past. Businesses as a whole seem to have no regard for rest and family life, being open on Sundays and on many holidays, even going so far as to open on Thanksgiving evening drawing people away from their family gatherings.

Jul 24 2016, 8:06 PM

Ruth (guest): Sr, I have a friend who home schools five of her seven children. She insists on a two hour quiet time every day.

7 PM

Carol Ann: One way to start is to not shop on Sundays or holidays ourselves. And asked to by someone, offer to go on Saturday instead and say why

Jul 24 2016, 8:08 PM

SrSusan (guest): Also St Francis wants us to stay in the Presence of God throughout the day i mean consciously aware of His presence anfd that is restful for the soul

8 PM

SrSusan (guest): If people disceovered that the culture could change maybe9 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) Our culture, as a whole, needs to slow down and to place individuals and families above financial profit. This might have some “side effects” such as a lowering of prices since there may be fewer working hours and thus, reduced pay. It could also bring about renewed family life with an increase in family activities.

Jul 24 2016, 8:09 PM

Carol Ann: That requires the discipline of turning our thoughts to God nany, many times throughout the day

Jul 24 2016, 8:09 PM

Ruth (guest): Judy,those “blue laws” as they were called were ended because we live in a pluralistic society. Jews who practice the Sabbath on Friday night til Saturday night objected to being, in effect shut out of the market place for TWO days.

PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) Every morning, I ask the Lord to touch my mind and heart many times during the day, drawing me to prayers of love, adoration and thanksgiving in particular.

Jul 24 2016, 8:10 PM

Lisa C: If our work is tied to God and helps people even work can be restful for the soul, because when people appreciate the work we do for them it feeds our soul

Jul 24 2016, 8:11 PM

Lisa C: Even if they do not appreciate it it does

12 PM

Dawn L: and even Jesus did work on Sabbath, healing, 8:12 PM

Lisa C: Kindness to others makes our souls closer to God

Jul 24 2016, 8:12 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (JUdy) while there is truth there, we still need to have the time to “waste time with the Lord” which I think Venerable Archbishop Sheen spoke of on a tape.

Jul 24 2016, 8:13 PM

Ruth (guest): I think that that turning our hearts to God, many, many times throughout the day should be EVERY day, not just on the sabbath day. And it is easy if we ask — in our morning prayer — for that grace.

Jul 24 2016, 8:13 PM

Dawn L: yes. and learning to be gentle..what I see in Visitine order and try pray for this grace

Jul 24 2016, 8:13 PM

Carol Ann: Yes Ruth

PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) Medicine, law enforcement and defense are probably the only areas which are absolutely necessary every day of the week.

Jul 24 2016, 8:14 PM

SrSusan (guest): Hi Sister!

5 PM

Mary Roberta Viano: Hello! Our evening recreations are going later and later!

Jul 24 2016, 8:15 PM

Dawn L: my morning first prayer is Thank you Lord! help me to see your will throughout the day, give me the strenght to do it

Jul 24 2016, 8:15 PM

Ruth (guest): Hello, Sr. Mary Roberta.

Jul 24 2016, 8:15 PM

Mary Roberta Viano: Welcome back from Annecy, Mother!

6, 8:16 PM

Mary Roberta Viano: so you’ve been talking about finding rest for your souls in “spiritual retirement”?

Jul 24 2016, 8:16 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) Sister Mary Roberta, that could be a way of putting more relaxation into your life. Just what we are discussing today.

Jul 24 2016, 8:16 PM

Ruth (guest): Dawn,that is similar to my morning prayer. And thanking Him for another day to give Him == by His grace — glory.

Jul 24 2016, 8:17 PM

Mary Roberta Viano: I really like the idea of resting in the wounded side of Our Lord!

Jul 24 2016, 8:17 PM

Ruth (guest): ”

Jul 24 2016, 8:18 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) At night I ask the Lord to permit me to enter through His wounded side into His merciful Heart.

Jul 24 2016, 8:18 PM

Ruth (guest): “Spiritual retirement?” Like when you never have to go in to work any more?

Jul 24 2016, 8:18 PM

Ruth (guest): Or like when you go to sleep for the night?

Jul 24 2016, 8:18 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) And to keep me safe there, for indeed, only there can I be truly safe.

Jul 24 2016, 8:18 PM

Mary Roberta Viano: I admire St. Catherine of Siena for being able to retire into her own interior oratory in the midst of the chaos she lived in!

Sr. Mary Roberta. The image is not one that I am comfortable with. Makes me think of maggots! But even maggots can be helpful. Some homeless people have their wounds debrieded by them!

Jul 24 2016, 8:20 PM

Mary Roberta Viano: or the pelican, owl, and sparrow as symbolic of our inner communion with God

Jul 24 2016, 8:20 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) Perhaps if we did this exercise more regularly, we might, like Catherine of Siena, be able to enter our interior oratory. I think that it is something that takes practice.

Jul 24 2016, 8:21 PM

Mary Roberta Viano: That’s why I love and long for the contemplative life because I get too caught up in the noise and confusion around me.

PM

Mary Roberta Viano: and can’t center

Jul 24 2016, 8:22 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) Although, it might also be a gift from the Lord to be able to do so.

, 8:22 PM

Carol Ann: Me too. I must jealously guard quiet time or I quickly find myself out of energy and patience

Jul 24 2016, 8:22 PM

Ruth (guest): And yet, in the days of the wondering pilgrims, begging for sustenance, they would sometimes ask “for the sake of the wounds of Christ.”

Jul 24 2016, 8:22 PM

SrSusan (guest): and there are degrees of quiet I learned that at Annecy- very silent

PM

Mary Roberta Viano: It almost seems unkind to shut out the people around you to create your own quiet, internal place…

Jul 24 2016, 8:23 PM

Lisa C: Mother, did the degree of quiet change over your time in Brooklyn?

Jul 24 2016, 8:23 PM

Ruth (guest): Wandering I meant to say.

Jul 24 2016, 8:23 PM

Mary Roberta Viano: but in the end that’s what allows us to reach out to the people around us with God’s love, not our own

Jul 24 2016, 8:23 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) But it is necessary for our own spiritual health and well-being.

8:24 PM

Carol Ann: It is counterintuitive to say take care of yourself so you can take care of others25 PM

Lisa C: In France are there only Nuns in the Monastery?

Jul 24 2016, 8:25 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) But if you don’t take care of yourself, you will have nothing left to give to others.

Jul 24 2016, 8:26 PM

SrSusan (guest): Yes except for the maintenance man only one and the gif shop employee

Jul 24 2016, 8:26 PM

Ruth (guest): One of the things that “worries” me when I think about the “contemplative life” is, in fact, what appears to me to be the “busy-ness” of it. Everything by the clock.

Jul 24 2016, 8:26 PM

Mary Roberta Viano: SFdS sounds so unrealistic when he insists that “the crowds which surround you surround your body, not your soul..or your heart.”

7 PM

SrSusan (guest): contemplative life vs monastic life

Jul 24 2016, 8:27 PM

Mary Roberta Viano: but that’s his point, I guess: We need to be able to feel Our Lord close to us, whatever we’re doing or wherever we are.

ver we are.

Jul 24 2016, 8:27 PM

Lisa C: Ruth, I think the business and clock are good, because it would drift into chaos without it

PM

Ruth (guest): Yes, Sr. Susan, that might be an important distiction. PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) Sister Susan, you mentioned that the presence of laity has resulted in less quiet. Perhaps you need the laity in how to keep and enjoy silence. They are so used to the noise and business of life, that they probably have never tried silence.

Jul 24 2016, 8:28 PM

Dawn L: is Monastic life then quieter than Contemplative

Jul 24 2016, 8:28 PM

Mary Roberta Viano: Brooklyn is much quieter than our Georgetown house.

Jul 24 2016, 8:28 PM

Ruth (guest): Chaos! Maybe that should be my middle name!

Jul 24 2016, 8:29 PM

Mary Roberta Viano: the middle name of all of us, Ruth!

Jul 24 2016, 8:29 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) That be Perhaps you need to instruct the laity in how to keep and enjoy silence.

(guest): good point

Jul 24 2016, 8:30 PM

Lisa C: I like the quiet of Brooklyn

Jul 24 2016, 8:30 PM

Ruth (guest): How is that Sr. Mary Roberta? Do you live by the same “rule?”

Jul 24 2016, 8:31 PM

Mary Roberta Viano: I love SFdS quote from Eleazar, Count of Arian-en-Provence, telling his wife that, if anyone is looking for him, he can be found “in the Wounded Side of our Dear Lord Jesus – his sure dwelling place.”

Jul 24 2016, 8:31 PM

Ruth (guest): What about the number of people living in the monastery?

Jul 24 2016, 8:31 PM

Guest2743 (guest): (Judy) Begin perhaps with a conference on the meaning of silence and its role in prayer. Then use some quiet, peaceful music to help to induce a mood of silence, and then just allow silence to happen.

8:32 PM

Mary Roberta Viano: Each of our houses is autonomous, Ruth, and each has its own “personality” and each its own unique group of women.

Jul 24 2016, 8:32 PM

SrSusan (guest): great idea Judy

Jul 24 2016, 8:32 PM

SrSusan (guest): Thank you!

M

Mary Roberta Viano: Because ours are all older, they want to talk more with one another.