Reflecting on our blessings this Thanksgiving, we have abundant things to be grateful for: Our vocation to sing the praises of God every day; the young women who are currently discerning their vocations with our community; our families, oblates, friends, and benefactors, who are so generous to us; and the wonderful harvest our land produced this year. Let us not forget that the word “Eucharist” means “Thanksgiving.” God incarnate, made present on our altar every day, is the greatest gift of all.
A reflection by our Abbess, Mother Maria-Michael Newe, OSB
On October 5, 2025, we gathered to celebrate the final oblations of six of our oblates. During the ceremony, Mother Maria-Michael emphasized the steadfast presence of our guardian angels in our prayer, our work, and our lives. Below is an abridged form of her address to the community of oblates and nuns of the Abbey of St. Walburga.
We’re happy to see our oblate novices as they make their transition into becoming oblates. It’s a gift, and we can count on this in so many ways. What I want to remind you of is, in the Rule of St. Benedict, we find stability, conversion of life, and obedience. This creates the boundaries of our lives — to keep us on the straight and narrow path to eternal life with God.
In the last few days, we have celebrated in the liturgy of the Church the feasts of the angels: the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael (whom I adore!) on September 29, and the Guardian Angels on October 2. Both of these celebrations have such a flavor of the Benedictine life: the ora et labora (prayer and work).
Seeking His face
If you’re wondering about the ora of the angels, you can find it here! They keep you safe and have you covered, because they love you. Our guardian angels guarantee that we get to Heaven. They were made from their beginning to serve each soul, personally. They watch your every moment. God sends them to keep us in all our ways (cf. Ps. 91:11). By celebrating the Divine Office of these feasts, it was so clear that our Benedictine life is truly meant to mirror the lives of the angels — those pure heavenly spirits to which Jesus refers in the Gospel of Matthew: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father” (Matt. 18:10). How powerful is that, that the one interceding for you is seeing the face of God which we love. In Psalm 27:8, we read, “Seek his face.” Seek Him. Seek His face in everyone. Seek His face.
I will tell you how important it is to seek God in one another — because, as we know, when we serve God, we serve other people. Remember how important that is to Christ: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40). And St. Benedict refers to the angels in Chapter 7 on humility. We read how the angels “appear descending and ascending” (Gen. 28:12). “If we want to reach the highest summit of humility… we must set up that latter on which Jacob in a dream saw… Without doubt, this descent and ascent can signify only that we descend by exaltation and ascend by humility. Now the ladder erected is our life on earth, and if we humble our hearts the Lord will raise it to heaven” (RB 7.5-8).
Do not let Heaven slip you by.
Likewise, it is Chapter 19 that tells us how we should say the Divine Office. It tells us how to pray to God. It says, “We believe that the divine presence is everywhere” (RB 19.1). Do you believe that? Do you think God is absent sometimes — that he doesn’t see you?
He does. He sees every moment.
We believe this to be true when we are assisting at the work of God. The Rule continues: “We must always remember, therefore, what the Prophet says: ‘Serve the Lord with fear’ (Ps. 2:11), and… ‘In the presence of the angels I will sing to you’ (Ps. 138:1). Let us consider, then, how we ought to behave in the presence of God and his angels, and let us stand to sing the psalms in such a way that our minds are in harmony with our voices” (RB 19:3-7).
At their final oblation, our oblates receive the Divine Office, uniting their prayers with those of our community, the world, and the angels of Heaven.
Prayer in the presence of the angels
Yes, we sing the Divine Office in the presence of the angels. We sing within Heaven as well. An intimate bond links the earthly world with the celestial world. Above, the angels celebrate a perpetual liturgy, to which is united here below the liturgy of the Church. Supernatural presences surround us.
“The Divine Office is intimately connected with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Just as the Mass is continuously offered to God all over the world each day, so also is the Divine Office. At every hour of every day these communal prayers of the Church render glory to God and unite us with the saving work of Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world.” (“How To Pray (and Understand) the Liturgy of the Hours”)
How important that Divine Office is! And I want to say it because the Church used to pray it in the Middle Ages — not just the religious. It was the whole Church. Now, the Benedictines are at the forefront of this: we are given the Divine Office to pray. We are given Heaven here on earth. What a gift.
Here I have something from a Catholic site: The heavenly liturgy is described as a “mystical bridge that unites the earthly [worship of the Church] with the divine [worship in Heaven]”. It is a celebration that brings the entire union of saints, angels, and the faithful departed who participate in the praise of God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes that the liturgy “is an ‘action’ of the whole Christ,” where the faithful are invited to partake in the salvific mystery of Christ (CCC 1136).
I think it’s so important that the Lamb of God is present — that God is present. We’re not just singing to each other. We’re singing to God. And it is due to Him as our creator to praise Him.
The reason we’re speaking about the Mass and the Divine Office because it has that presence. When Catholics celebrate Mass, they’re not merely participating in a ritual, but rather entering into a “foretaste of [the] heavenly liturgy” (Sacrosanctum Concilium 8). This experience is rooted in the fact that the Mass is part of the eternal worship of God, where Christ, the Lamb of God, is present.
There was a specific time, the feast of All Saints, we had a glorious Vespers. It was as if Heaven poured in. As we processed out, I wasn’t sure if Heaven wasn’t here, and we couldn’t just go up. We were so surrounded by Heaven. I could feel the saints, and especially one who had passed away not so long ago. He was present, as if he wanted to say, “I made it! I’m here!” How powerful, that we pray the Divine Office. It is no small thing. What a gift we have received.
Prayer without ceasing
Let us be reminded of the dignity to which we are called: to pray with the angels and saints and so to participate in the heavenly liturgy which never ceases.
Let us remember never to let it cease in our hearts. You are given a piece of Heaven when you are given your book of prayer — a piece of Heaven. Be faithful to pray it. Wherever you are, remember: your guardian angel prays with you, who sees the very face of God. You are praying with the angels. That is the dignity with which we pray the Office.
Let us also mirror the angels as they participate in the heavenly liturgy. Can you imagine the angels saying, “I don’t want to pray today!” That would be abhorrent. But that wouldn’t happen in Heaven. God is ever present. They are ever singing the praise of God. Be sure of it.
We can only imagine the reverence, humility, and purity as the angels stand before the throne of God as your guardians. Remember that: it is with pure reverence and nothing less.
In addition to receiving the Divine Office, oblates are presented with a Benedictine scapular as a constant reminder that they are always clothed with Christ as his witnesses in their words and work.
As St. Benedict writes about reverence in Chapter 20, “Whenever we want to ask some favor of a powerful man, we do it humbly and respectfully… How much more important, then, to lay our petitions before the Lord God of all things with the utmost humility and sincere devotion. We must know that God regards our purity of heart and tears of compunction, not our many words” (RB 20.1-3). The Psalmist says, “My tears have become my bread” (Ps. 42:4).
How do you practice reverence? How do you practice the core of who you are? Reverence is the mark of a Benedictine. The word means “to revere God” — to love and honor God with our whole heart, our whole soul, and our whole strength (cf. Mk. 12:30). May you teach others by your example, what it means to be reverent. May reverence for God transform your lives and our lives. In everything you do, bear reverence to God’s creation.
Remember, when you grow in reverence, your life changes. I wish you the very best, and I wish for you all the graces of this day never to stop being poured out.
“I thank you, Lord, with all my heart; you have heard the words of my mouth. in the presence of the angels I praise you.” (Ps. 138:1)
We invite you to join you in prayer for those who made their final oblation this fall, asking St. Benedict and their guardian angels to intercede for them in their continued journey of living our Benedictine spirituality in the world.
Click here to learn more about our oblate program at the Abbey of St. Walburga.
Featured in the Augustine Institute’s “How to Lent” Video Series
The video crew from the Augustine Institute visited the Abbey of St. Walburga for the day and had an interview with Mother Maria-Michael about the importance of prayer for Episode 2 of their “How to Lent” series:
The Abbey of St. Walburga was one of the monasteries chosen to be included in Bishop Robert Barron’s film series “Catholicism: The Pivotal Players” in the episode on St. Benedict:
The 2026 Abbey of St. Walburga wall calendar features photos of our Sisters performing the ordinary, and not-so-ordinary, daily tasks of monastic life. The Benedictine motto, “Ora et Labora” (“Prayer and Work,” in Latin) is the featured theme for this year, and each of the photos highlights a quote from the Holy Rule of St. Benedict. It notes the days of the Church’s liturgical seasons, together with days commemorated by the Order of St. Benedict, as they are observed by our community.
The cost is $14.00 per calendar + shipping.
To place an order, please send an email to aswgiftshop@gmail.com or call (970) 472-0612.
A reflection by our Abbess, Mother Maria-Michael Newe, OSB
The reading from Zephaniah we have in the Office of Readings on the 21st Monday in Ordinary Time is such a delight. It reminds me of the spirit of Advent, that Christ has come and given us everything, and given us the ability to stand before God as beloved children. He comes to say, “You are loved…” It is a reality that can’t be denied. You should know how greatly you are loved.
Mosaic: Source Unknown
The Lord spoke through Zephaniah saying, “Shout for joy, daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has removed the judgment against you, he has turned away your enemies; The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, Zion, do not be discouraged! The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior, Who will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, Who will sing joyfully because of you, as on festival days. I will remove disaster from among you, so that no one may recount your disgrace” (Zep. 3:14-18).
When you walk into the Chapel, I hope you think of that. He’s singing for joy when you walk in. He’s the one rejoicing over you, and renewing you in His love. That should make you smile. Believe in His love—It should make us run with all our hearts to God, who really does delight in us. He looks on us with so much love.
If you’ve ever wanted somebody to look at you as if they had stopped with their mouth open…That’s God looking at you. That’s how He sees you. He stops and just stares with love. That’s how we should see God. Do we return that love? Do we look with love? Do we sing with joy for Him? That’s what we’re here to do. Who could want more?
Oh that the angels and saints in heaven would be able to say to the Lord of us, “You should see they way they look at You…”
A reflection by our Abbess, Mother Maria-Michael Newe, OSB
Photo taken along the Camino de Santiago by one of our Sisters, who did the pilgrimage before entering our community
Commemorating the Camino de Santiago
In 2 Corinthians (for the first reading at Mass on the feast of St. James, celebrated on July 25) we hear, “Brothers and sisters: We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us” (2 Cor. 4:7). St. James had very little time to even be an Apostle—Just as he was beginning, his head was taken off (cf. Acts 12:2). And yet, who is the incredibly popular Saint today, whose “Camino” everybody talks about? Everyone seems to know about that pilgrimage to St. James (the Camino de Santiago), which has so much to do with people seeking the answers to the questions, “What is my vocation?” and “What am I supposed to do at this point in my life?” People spend up to a month on this walk, asking God to show them the way. It’s a long trek, and their feet hurt at the end, but it often does reveal to people what they need. It often does give them the time and the prayer along the way to know God’s will.
In heaven as on earth
So we see how after St. James’ death, he is so powerful an Apostle. God alone can do that. I truly believe that how we live our lives will make a difference in how we are able to help people after we die. When you spend your life giving everything (even if it is short, like St. James), then perhaps you will get to spend your heaven getting to help others on earth give their everything.
Leaving our nets and following our servant leader
How different are the ways of heaven from the ways of earth! Even after Christ’s resurrection, He is found cooking breakfast for everybody. But in some professions today, the mentality is that if you’re in charge, you don’t help anybody under you. And yet Christ is so different—He is God, but He calls Himself a servant, and He instructs His Apostles to be servants as well (Matt. 20:26-28). It is such a different attitude than the attitude of man. God became an earthen vessel, and changed it into gold. And He will do the same with us, but we have to let Him. We have to be willing, like St. James, to give up our nets (cf. Matt. 4:18-22). Sometimes we hang on to our nets and everything in them, and they are really hard to get rid of. But we should strive to let them go, and especially those petty little grievances which we all tend to carry around.
So in the spirit of the Camino, I encourage you take a walk with St. James today. May he help to guide you along the way to Jesus.
Each year, on the three days leading up to the Solemnity of the Lord’s Ascension, our community takes part in the long-standing tradition of the Church to hold Minor Litanies, or “Rogation Processions,” to invoke the mercy of God, the prayers of the saints, deliverance from evil, and protection of our land. Rogation Procession litanies consist of four main parts. First, we invoke the three Divine Persons, with the response, “Miserere nobis” (Have mercy on us). Second, we invoke the intercession of Mary, the Apostles, and groups of saints, with the response, “Ora pro nobis” (Pray for us). Third, we pray for protection from evils of body and soul, through the merits of Christ, with the response, “Libera nos, Domine” (Deliver us, O Lord). Fourth, we pray for particular blessings for the Church and the world, with the response, “Te rogamus, audi nos” (We beseech Thee, hear us).
Retreat weekend at the Abbey of St. Walburga for women discerning their religious vocation
Ages 18-35
July 18-20, 2025
contact: walburgavocations@gmail.com
970-472-0612
“Do not be conformed to this world, but by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and pleasing and perfect.”
This year our paschal candle department, consisting of six sisters, offered various parishes and monasteries two design options, both centered on Eucharistic symbolism. Created by two of our solemnly professed Sisters, one design was centered on the theme of Christ the Vine (cf. John 15), and the other, inspired by the Azulejos tiles of Portugal, included symbols for Christ, Mary, and the Jubilee Year of Hope. These designs were painted on candles large and small by the artists in our community.
Paschal candles are used during the Easter Vigil Mass to carry the flame from the Easter fire into the church, and from which every other candle in the church is lit, as a symbol of Christ the true Light enlightening the world and dispelling the darkness of evil.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower.
By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
