A reflection by Mother Maria-Michael Newe, OSB, delivered to our community on the vigil of the Novice Investiture of Sister Moira
We have Saint Gregory the great, a Benedictine saint, for Moira’s clothing day! Pope Saint Gregory the Great was born in 540 and died on March 12, 604. He was the 64th Bishop of Rome, and is venerated as one of the four Latin Fathers of the Church alongside St. Augustine, St. Ambrose, and St. Jerome. His papacy is considered foundational to the medieval papacy because of his spiritual leadership and legislative reform. Gregory was educated in law and administration and became the prefect of Rome at age 30. However, inspired by the call to poverty he resigned his position, founded a monastery, and became a Benedictine monk in the year 575. He didn’t stay too long as a prefect, and like St. Benedict, St. Gregory must have had a feeling that the typical Roman life wasn’t good for his soul. And, in a way, isn’t that also true of why we come to the monastery? We have a feeling it would be much better for our souls, and we are called to a holiness that we sense we won’t reach outside. We want to live a life surrounded by God — not the world — like St. Gregory.
Moira, just as St. Gregory received the habit of a Benedictine, and wore it with love and purpose, so too shall you. It says in Chapter 58 of the Holy Rule of St. Benedict, “At once therefore, in the oratory, let him be divested of his own clothes which he is wearing and dressed in the clothes of the monastery.” That happened even then, as it happens today. So, Moira, tomorrow you are going to receive the habit of our beloved community. In the rite of the blessing of the religious habit it says, “We ask you, bless this religious habit, by which your handmaid who will wear it desires to express her readiness to serve You with undivided devotion.” For the blessing of the religious belt we pray, “O God, You allowed your Son to be bound by the hands of the unjust in order to save the slave. We ask You to bless this belt. Grant to Your handmaid who will wear it the grace to always keep in mind the chains of Your Son, Who was obedient unto death in order to set us free.” For the blessing of the religious scapular, “We beg You, bless this scapular which Your handmaid will wear as a sign of her conversion, so that she may truly follow in Your footsteps as Your disciple.” And finally for the religious veil, “Almighty God, we beg You, in Your kindness, to bless this veil, which Your handmaid desires to wear upon her head as a sign of her religious state, so that she may be blessed, spotless, and holy, and be recognized as consecrated to You.”
You are receiving the Benedictine habit of our Abbey, Moira. It carries with it the tradition of so many holy souls who have gone before us — saints, beloved of God. You are receiving clothing; you must fill it with life: With the life of a Benedictine, with holiness, with charity, with the praise of God. You must fill it. It is the life in which we honor God. We honor him as one who belongs to him and prefers nothing to the love of Christ. That’s what it says when you wear the habit. In a sense, we are entrusting you with ourselves — the beauty and dignity of the life we live. We are offering the habit to you because we trust you. We trust you to give the image of who we are. So when I give it to you, I am giving you our trust. May it be a joy for God and of us to see you wearing it and to stand among us. May God bless you now and forevermore.
A reflection by Mother Maria-Michael Newe, OSB, delivered to our community on the vigil of the Novice Investiture of Sister Hope
Photos courtesy of the family of Sister Hope (and Sister Cecilia, also a member of our community!)
Tomorrow we happily celebrate the Memorial of Martha, Mary and Lazarus (July 29). It is also the day on which Hope will receive the Benedictine habit — the mark of our monastic life. In a sense, Hope is being invited into the house of Bethany, which Jesus loved dearly, and where He was dearly loved as well.
In Bethany, it is Martha who seems to have initiated the friendship of Jesus by inviting Him into their lives. It says in the Gospel that she “welcomed” Him; you could say that her warmth impelled Him. Her sister Mary’s response to Jesus is one of being captivated by Him. She allowed herself to be drawn in, held still in His presence. But we don’t hear that much more about Mary — it seems to be a relationship more hidden. Her tears about her brother’s death is the last we hear of her, and it touches Jesus deeply. Is that not the contemplative life?
The Gospel tells us more of Martha. She apparently allowed her hospitality to become burdensome. Martha instructed Jesus, “Tell her to help me” (Luke 10:40). I read somewhere that whenever a name is pronounced twice in the Gospels, it signals that the one spoken to is someone very dear, so that means something when we get to hear, “Martha, Martha…Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her” (Luke 10:41-42). In a way it seems like a bit of a rebuke, perhaps because Martha had been invited by Jesus to stay there as well, but she felt like she “needed” to push on to serving.
Hope, tomorrow you will hear during the investiture ceremony, “I accept you as a Novice into this community,” and, “you should strive to live the monastic life.” Strive to truly live in community. You wish to join this community for the love of Jesus Christ? Well, let everything be permeated by love. Prefer nothing to the Love of Jesus. Above all, seek God and the ways in which He guides you to perfection in this life.
Every time you put the habit on, remember, you are a handmaid of the Lord; be ready and eager to serve God with undivided devotion. Let your belt remind you of the chains Jesus wore in His passion. That is actually why we hold our hands down beneath our scapulars. It really is to remind us of Christ and what He bore for us. We can never forget His Passion — nor His Resurrection. Both are needed. When you at last clothe yourself with the scapular, it is a sign of completion. His yoke is easy, His burden light, when born with love. The veil you will wear is a sign of your religious state, may you always be recognized as one consecrated to God. Wear the habit of our community with great dignity. Wear it remembering the centuries of women who have worn this habit, lived the Benedictine life, and have been buried in this habit. It means something. It means we are one body — We don’t live for ourselves; we are in community. We do what we can in community to serve Christ in each other. And when we wear this habit, we remember we have been chosen. We wear it as women who are chosen. We also have chosen. Christ chose and we chose. He puts His hand out, but we also have to put out ours. They meet, but His is stronger I have to say.
Jesus loved Bethany because of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Without them, we wouldn’t hear of the town of Bethany; we wouldn’t have that same notion of it. Bethany is a home He loved dearly, where Hewas loved unconditionally. May we too be like Bethany full of love and devotion and ever attentive to the needs of His heart. That’s what it means to be at home with Christ — We are attentive to His heart.
So, I wish you all the joy of tomorrow. You are stepping into a new stage and are giving of the things that meant so much in the world, so you can receive the things of heaven.
A reflection by our Abbess, Mother Maria-Michael Newe, OSB
We can’t even begin to touch the depth of the Heart of Christ, so great a love is His. But yet the Scriptures open His Heart to us:
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Matt. 11:28-30).
“As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love.” (John 15:9)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17)
“But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
“Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger, abounding in mercy.” (Psalm 103:8)
“But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:35-36)
“I drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I fostered them like those who raise an infant to their cheeks; I bent down to feed them.” (Hosea 11:4)
“At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matt. 9:36)
“Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, carrying them in his bosom, leading the ewes with care.” (Isaiah 40:11)
“No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) (Note: When you enter the monastery, you lay down your life. You are actually willing to die, because you are no longer living for yourself. You can no longer strive for your own ambitions. You live for God. It’s not about you; it’s about Him.)
Since the beginning, His love hasn’t stopped. Of all the hearts that have ever moved among men, it is Jesus Christ’s that is most sensitive. So quick to respond to those in need. So perceptive to feel the crushing rejection of those he came to save, and did save, despite the hatred that surrounded Him during His passion. Dying on the cross, His Heart was pierced so that the last drop might be poured out for the life of the Church.
The Rule of St. Benedict provides instructions for how to become holy and how to love. He tells us to “prefer nothing to the love of Christ” (Ch. 72), and “prefer nothing to the Work of God” (Ch. 43). In the Prologue, St. Benedict writes, “Therefore we intend to establish a school for the Lord’s service. In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome. The good of all concerned, however, may prompt us to a little strictness in order to amend faults and to safeguard love” (v. 45-47). How do you safeguard love? How do you safeguard your love for Christ? How do you safeguard your vocation? How do you safeguard His life in you? Safeguarding involves caring for something very precious. It means doing everything you can to keep it safe. What do you put into your heart?
It seems to me that the Sacred Heart the tabernacle of our hearts. Can we say that our hearts are tabernacles for His Heart, too? It has been scientifically verified from some of the Eucharistic miracles that the Host is actually heart tissue. It is His Heart that is hidden in the Host. So we truly consume the Heart of Jesus at every communion, but it never takes away from His Heart. Only God can do that.
Everyone wants to be loved. Everyone wants to have someone look at them and say, “It’s you!” Well don’t think Jesus doesn’t do that. And you know, He’s actually jealous when you love something else more than Him (including ourselves!). Mature women have boundaries to safeguard their marriages and families. So should we. Let us learn to love His Heart more than our own. Let us quickly learn to return love for love. He is still looking for those who will comfort Him. May we be among them.
St. Benedict concludes his Prologue with, “Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset. But as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love. Never swerving from his instructions, then, but faithfully observing his teaching in the monastery until death, we shall through patience share in the sufferings of Christ that we may deserve also to share in his kingdom. Amen.” (v. 48-50).
His Kingdom is His Heart.
Photos of our 2026 Corpus Christi procession, courtesy of a retreatant
Retreat weekend at the Abbey of St. Walburga for women discerning their religious vocation
Ages 18-35
July 17-19, 2026
contact: walburgavocations@gmail.com
“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.”
18th century painting of St. Walburga by an unknown artist, currently found at the Abtei of St. Walburg in Eichstätt
St. Walburga was born in what is today known as the county of Wessex in southern England in 710, into a noble family of saints. Her father was St. Richard, and her mother was Wuna, the sister or cousin of St. Boniface. Her two brothers, St. Willibald and St. Wunibald, also became saints.
As a child around the age of 10, St. Walburga was entrusted to the care of the Benedictine nuns of Wimbourne Abbey in present-day Dorset, England. For about 28 years, St. Walburga lived the typical monastic life of singing the praises of God in the Divine Office and presumably performing ordinary tasks around her monastery. Between 740 and 750, when St. Boniface asked the superior of Wimbourne to send nuns to help him in his missionary efforts in Germany, St. Walburga and around thirty other nuns were appointed to make the journey across the English Channel.
It was at this time that we hear of St. Walburga’s first recorded miracle. While they were on the boat that carried them across the Atlantic Ocean, a terrible storm came, but through her intercession the storm ceased, and they were able to safely continue their voyage. It is reminiscent of Jesus calming the storm at sea, whereupon His disciples were all amazed and said, “What sort of man is this, whom even the winds and the sea obey?” (cf. Matt. 8:24-27). Moses, too, wielded authority over the waters when God gave him the power to part the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross over to safety from their Egyptian pursuers. From her miracles, one gets the sense that St. Walburga stands among the great men and women of the Old Testament, the powerful prophets of God. But the person she followed the most, of course, was Christ. It was in following His example—and by His authority—That she was able to accomplish such great wonders.
The Miracle of St. Walburga by Peter Paul Rubens, c. 1610, currently housed in a private collection
Upon the nuns’ arrival in Germany, they taught the young, cared for the sick, and helped the poor with alms. After two or three years, once the monastery at Heidenheim had been built by Wunibald, she traveled to join him and set up a monastery for nuns nearby. They prayed the Divine Office together, but were otherwise separate from the monks, forming a double monastery. When Wunibald died, Willibald named Walburga his successor, and she became Abbess over both monks and nuns of Heidenheim.
Another miracle of Christ that St. Walburga imaged was the healing of Jairus’ daughter. Jesus went to Jairus’ house and told the mourners that the girl was only sleeping, and brought her back to life by taking her hand, and saying, as one of the translations tells us, “Little Lamb, arise” (Talitha Koum). Then—and how Benedictine—He tells the onlookers to get her something to eat (cf. Mark 5:38-43). Similarly, it was recorded that St. Walburga went out at one night to the house of a nobleman, whose daughter was near death. The nobleman offered St. Walburga all the niceties, everything wonderful, as he bade her sit down with him, and by the time she was able to go upstairs to pray for the girl, the family had declared her dead. Regardless of this news, St. Walburga spent the night with the little girl in prayer, and when the sun arose, she presented a perfectly healthy girl to the noble parents, and then quickly returned to her monastery. The father tried to load her up with gifts to take back to her monastery, but she politely refused them and carried on without a fuss. There was no fanfare. She was simply a servant, a servant at work, who had completed her God-given task. That’s how you know the true humility of a saint: She’s not in it for the fanfare.
St. Walburga visits the sick girl / Tapestry artwork from the Abtei St. Walburg in Eichstätt, Germany
St. Walburga is known to be a saint of extraordinary light. On one occasion, she went into the monastery church at night, and she asked a monk (she was the Abbess of the double monastery of men and women at the time) for a torch to find her way, but the monk flatly refused. So instead, God lit the whole house up in abundance, in flowing light, which her nuns saw, and which seemed to “penetrate to the very heart of the earth.” St. Walburga, like another famous female Benedictine saint, St. Scholastica, asked a monk for a kindness, and was rejected — St. Scholastica had asked her brother, St. Benedict, to stay with her and pray shortly before she died, but he refused; then she turned to God and prayed, and a huge storm suddenly rolled in, which served to prevent St. Benedict from returning to his monastery, and he was forced to meet his sister’s request. When St. Walburga asked a monk for a light to see, and was refused, she too turned to God in prayer, and her request was answered with the miracle of light.
St. Walburga and the miracle of light / Tapestry artwork from the Abtei St. Walburg in Eichstätt, Germany
And then we also recognize the spirit of God acting freely and powerfully in St. Walburga through the miraculous holy oil that still flows from her bones. We hear in John 4:14, “Indeed the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life,” and in Isaiah 8:11, “You shall be like a watered garden. Like a spring of water whose waters do not fade.” It seems that St. Walburga’s great compassion for others did not end at her death, but continues to be a pure gift of God which flows throughout the ages for the good of His Church. Many people write us asking for St. Walburga’s oil, and then take the time to share their stories of healing with us. One could say that this quote from St. Thérèse of Lisieux may also be applied to our patroness: “I wish to spend my heaven in doing good upon the earth.” St. Walburga certainly does.
The bottling of St. Walburga’s Holy Oil at the Abtei St. Walburg in Eichstätt, Germany
When St. Walburga died around the year 779, she was buried at the monastery at Heidenheim, but the years went on, her name appeared to be forgotten, and her grave was no longer held in honor. The story of the discovery of her relics is quite amusing: In 842, when Bishop Otkar was undertaking renovation of the church at Heidenheim, St. Walburga appeared to him in a dream and complained, “Every day I am stomped on by [the workmen’s] dirty shoes, and am maltreated by their rough footsteps. Therefore, you should know that I will give you a clear sign that you have not acted justly against me” (Wolfhard, The Book of Miracles: Walburga as Abbess). Soon after this dream, the newly constructed northern wall of the church collapsed. The bishop saw this as the sign St. Walburga had warned him about, and arranged for her remains to be moved to the Cathedral in Eichstätt, to give her a worthier resting place next to her brother Willibald. “The men who were digging according to the request of the bishop found the venerable bones of…Walburga covered with some drops of spring water… Although the soil was moist, no residue of dirt could be observed at the hands of those who touched it” (Wolfhard). When the horses pulling the carriage with her relics stopped at the western gate of the city and refused to go any further, this was taken to be a sign that she wished to be buried in the nearby chapel that would later be called St. Walburga’s Church. Her body was reinterred in the chapel there, an act which marked the beginning of her public veneration, since at that time the transfer of relics was equivalent to an official act of canonization. A small community of canonesses became custodians of her shrine until her relics were moved to the Abtei of St. Walburg after its founding in 1035.
In 893, an Abbess from a neighboring monastery in Monheim requested some of St. Walburga’s relics. While on the way to Monheim, “two very sick boys who had independently of each other requested to touch the small case with the saint’s relics, were instantly healed from their infirmities in a miraculous way…The news spread far and wide. Everyone in Monheim rejoiced that the saint has brought such blessings to their town, while the population of Eichstätt, worrying that the saint might have abandoned them, had to be assured by the bishop that only a small part of her relics had been given away” (Wolfhard).
Art caption: St. Walburga’s bones are brought to Monheim / Tapestry artwork from Abtei St. Walburg in Eichstätt, Germany
“Pilgrims flocked from near and far…to St. Walburga’s shrine in Monheim. It was above all people from the lowest ranks of society, especially the poor, who were at the mercy of pestilence, infections, famine, and acts of violence. The pilgrims undertook long journeys. On arrival they repeatedly visited the shrine containing the relics of St. Walburga, took part in the Liturgy and Divine Office of the nuns, brought gifts with them, told the nuns of their illnesses and distress, and not infrequently witnessed extraordinary healings. The nuns kept a written record of these healings. Furthermore, a great number of votive offerings, such as crutches, candles, swords, effigies of body parts that were healed, and pictures which display the distress and Walburga’s help, give evidence of these miraculous events” (Wolfhard).
The Abtei of St. Walburg in Eichstätt, where the majority of St. Walburga’s bones remain, continues to be a place of frequent pilgrimages for people seeking physical, spiritual, and psychological healing. Those who can’t embark on pilgrimage request her oil from the Abtei in Germany or our Abbey in the United States (generously shipped to us from the nuns in Germany), and receive an abundance of healing and consolations.
Statues of St. Walburga and her family, and surrounding artwork and mementoes depicting miracles attributed to her intercession / Beneath this is the crypt where St. Walburga’s relics are kept at the Abtei St. Walburg in Eichstätt, Germany
In the words of Mother Maria-Michael Newe, OSB: “What would St. Walburga say to us today? Listen, O daughter, forget your people and your father’s house, and follow the Lamb. Seek God in everything. Persevere with great love. Let God’s compassion flow through you, even to the marrow of your very bones. Let us truly celebrate St. Walburga, this great saint. She will lead us to holiness, if we let her. She knows what it means to leave home and country. She knows what it means to have her loved ones die. She knows what it means to let God’s will reign in her life. She knows what it means to love and live in community. She knows its cost. She knows how to fight evil by love and compassion, by simply doing God’s will. Let us pray for this. Let us pray for that humble love she carried with her. She was a humble woman, and one of great light. Our lives are called to be the same, in different ways — Fresh water that comes out, either through our smile, our kindness, our generosity, our prayers, our life hidden with Christ in God.”
Hymn “Ave flos Virginum” composed by Heribert, Bishop of Eichstatt, 1022-1042
Greetings to you, O Virgin of the Lord, St. Walburga, Renowned sister of Willibald and Wynnebald, You who consecrated yourself willingly to Christ.
Amidst the throng of holy people, England, your mother, lovingly nourished you And sent you to us, angel-like Virgin.
And the Mother of the Lord, Mother and Virgin, Ranks you among the choir of rejoicing virgins, Consecrates you as the blessed bride of her Son.
Behold, the choir of angels bids you welcome With the call of the Lord, ‘Beloved virgin, Come to Me into the kingdom of everlasting joy!’
To the Triune God creation pays homage; Virgins, prudent, and proved true, sing Him hymns. Intercede for us, O Virgin Walburga. Amen.
A reflection by our Abbess, Mother Maria-Michael Newe, OSB, on the first Tuesday of the Easter Season
Mary Magdalene stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken my Lord, and I don’t know where they laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus there, but did not know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” She thought it was the gardener and said to him, “Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni,” which means Teacher. Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and then reported what he had told her.
—John 20:11-18
In the Gospel reading at Mass today, Jesus asks Mary Magdalene, “Why are you weeping?” I think Jesus very sweetly sometimes asks us the same thing to make us think: Ok, why are you really crying? Then of course, she hears His voice, and that’s enough, and she starts grasping to hang on to Him.
And He tells her, “Stop holding on to me.” But I don’t think it’s a, “STOP HOLDING ON TO ME.” I think it’s a really gentle, “Stop, you are not going to lose me.” And then, “Go tell my brothers, tell them, I am going to my Father and your Father. To my God and your God.”
What an incredible message. He reaffirms the “Our Father.” It’s Our Father. What a lovely thing, Mary doesn’t question Him, she just takes off. She’s gone. “And Mary went and announced to the disciples, ‘I have seen the Lord.’” She’s the apostle to the Apostles.
I think of the sweetness of doing His will. Mary wanted to hang on to Him, but He helped her to see His will instead of her own. It’s as if He said to her, “We need to do this now. You will never lose me.” What a wonderful way to live. That’s living in the New Testament. That’s truly living with that love that says to Christ, “I trust You. I will never lose You. Teach me to do Your will.”
I hope we all love that much that we want to obey Him rather than our own desires. What will we do for Him? Will we strive for an obedience that isn’t looking at ourselves, that says, “I want to join You in pleasing the Father”? What a precious gift to God this is. What a difference to look at obedience in Easter. It’s a triumphant obedience. One that says, “I live.” I wish that for each one of you — that triumphant obedience.
Starting in the fall of last year, the Abbey’s paschal candle department focused on painting over twenty candles of various sizes. The 2026 candle’s design was inspired by the figure of Christ in Pietro Tenerani‘s monument to Pope Pius VIII in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome. Christ, seated on His throne, is shown with a peaceful countenance and outspread arms, welcoming all who approach Him. We hope this speaks to those who have entered the Church this Easter, and to all the faithful as they encounter Christ in His Church.
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.
Cecilia, the host of “Flourish,” visited the Abbey of St. Walburga to shadow and interview the Sisters who work on our farm, highlighting our monastic approach to balancing prayer and work:
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:
A reflection by our Abbess, Mother Maria-Michael Newe, OSB, on the day before one of our postulants received the Benedictine habit
St. Joseph is one who truly loves and is a father to all. Tomorrow, on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, we will see Mary-Grace clothed in our Benedictine habit, which carries the witness of one who is seeking to serve God as a soul after His own heart. Hear the words we will pray before she receives the various parts of her monastic attire: [Regarding the habit] Bless this religious habit by which your handmaid who will wear it, desires to express her readiness to serve you with undivided devotion. [Regarding the belt]: Grant to your handmaid who will wear it, the grace to always keep in mind the chains of your son who was obedient unto death, in order to set us free. Remember, St. Joseph was ever obedient to the messengers God sent. Always. Quick and fast. [Regarding the scapular]: Bless this scapular which your handmaid will wear as a sign of her conversion, not living according to her own desires and pressures, but walking according to the judgment and will of another. For did not St. Joseph have to do a complete U-turn when he intended to divorce Mary because she was found with child? He was so gentle and compliant to God’s will. His obedience was without delay, for he held nothing dearer than God. There was no hesitation, or lukewarmness, grumbling, or complaining. In fact, he didn’t say a word. He simply did all that God had asked. [Regarding the veil]: …as a sign of the religious state, so that she may be blessed, spotless, and holy, and recognized as consecrated to God. We belong to Him. We are His. Would you want to be anything else? It is the greatest gift and St. Joseph recognized what it meant to belong to God. He was ever chaste, he was pure, and don’t think he didn’t fight for it. Therefore, he is the guardian of virgins. Let us too be as faithful, humble, holy, and pure of heart as St. Joseph, and may you, Mary-Grace, have forever his loving protection. Remember what he did on earth is what he’s doing in heaven. He protected the Holy Family. He protects what is holy. Let us all be a part of that.
To read the responses of our “Sisters in Formation” to a series of interview questions for a recent Denver Catholic Article, click here
