Photos by Grant Whitty / Denver Catholic

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:

From Denver Catholic Online

• PHOTOS | Surrendering with Gratitude: Sister Maria-Benedicta, OSB, professes final vows at Abbey of St. Walburga
• Get to Know the Newest Nuns of Walburga, on the Feast of St. Walburga!
• Where Heaven Meets the Hills: Walburga’s Mother Maria-Michael on the Beauty of Consecrated Life
• Wisdom from Walburga: ‘A return to Eden’
• Wisdom from Walburga: ‘Goodness will reap goodness’
• Wisdom from Walburga: ‘Memento Mori’
• Wisdom from Walburga: Liturgy of the Hours and intercessory prayer
• Wisdom from Walburga: ‘Prefer nothing to the love of Christ’
• Wisdom from Walburga: ‘Persevering fidelity’
• Wisdom from Walburga: Charity, the key to the Christian life
• Wisdom from Walburga: ‘Let God lead you’
• Wisdom from Walburga: ‘A return to Eden’
• EXCLUSIVE | PHOTOS: Inside the Abbey of St. Walburga’s hidden vocation of prayer for the Church
• PHOTOS: ‘Yes, for always’: New Abbey of St. Walburga nun vows life to Christ the Bridegroom
• Abbey of St. Walburga nun solemnly vows her life to Christ the Bridegroom
• New Abbey of St. Walburga nun finds ‘surging joy’ in making solemn profession
• Espoused to Christ: Two Abbey of St. Walburga nuns make their solemn profession of monastic vows

In Other News

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:

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

In this season of joyful anticipation, our community celebrated the First Monastic Profession of Sister Clare, who received the name Sister Cecilia on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (December 8, 2025). She professed stability, fidelity, and obedience to the monastic way of life for the next three years, to be renewed annually until Solemn Monastic Profession.

This Advent, we pray that God would enkindle in Sister Cecilia’s heart an ever-growing love for the sweet yoke of Christ according to the Rule of St. Benedict. In that same spirit, Mother Maria-Michael, OSB, delivered an address on November 29, inviting us to keep the Advent flame alive in our hearts with vigilance in prayer and service. Below is an abridged version of her reflection.

Staying vigilant

Advent is really the life of the monk. It is what we are all about: being vigilant and being ready.

In the Divine Office, we read, “Sober, just, and godly we live in this world as we live in blessed hope for the glorious coming of our mighty Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us be concerned with inspiring each other to love and do good works” (Titus 2:12-13). That is a holy community! That is one that is truly seeking God and not self.

Likewise, in today’s Gospel, Jesus offers us a timely exhortation:

Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.

Luke 21:34-36; emphasis added

He does not say that we “become drowsy because we have been working hard.” It is not a surprise that we are tired. It is not a surprise that sometimes we feel a little worn out. We should! We are putting everything into the life we are living. That is the gift we give to God. Sometimes getting up for Matins is hard, but that is the choice of one who is vigilant — one who is waiting for God.

That is the Gospel we should keep before ourselves this Advent. We have to live with vigilance.

The fire of unity

I have been thinking so much about the fire of the early Church — the love with which they lived their lives. They were aflame. They were standing strong, and they were truly one. They loved the Church.

And I pray that we, too, reclaim again that love. We should be like a community keeping the Easter fire going — the Easter fire from the beginning, the first Easter fire that shot fire into the world.

We should keep Advent as precious as the Easter fire. And let us be that fire for the Church. We need to be the sparks that make everything go afire. It only takes a spark to start a forest fire — that is all it takes. But what if we are a torch?

We have to live with great love for the Church.

How relevant this is for our day! We are not called to tear the Church apart. We are called to trust in God, and we are called to unity in obedience to the Church. And I would ask that we pray specifically for the Church this Advent. It does not need to be torn apart — and, quite frankly, a lot of schisms are tearing parishes apart and pulling people away.

That is not the Church.

I think it is going to take a lot of prayer to bring it back. But isn’t that our life? It is one of prayer. It is one of obedience. It is one of sacrifice.

St. Benedict was very clear on this when we hear about the kinds of monks:

Third, there are the sarabaites, the most detestable kind of monks, who with no experience to guide them, no rule to try them ‘as gold is tried in a furnace’ (Prov. 27:21), have a character as soft as lead. Still loyal to the world by their actions, they clearly lie to God by their tonsure. Two or three together, or even alone, without a shepherd, they pen themselves up in their own sheepfolds, not the Lord’s. Their law is what they like to do, whatever strikes their fancy. Anything they believe in and choose, they call holy; anything they dislike, they consider forbidden.

RB 1.6-9

I think we should go back to this chapter and read it again, because it has such great wisdom in it. It shows us what unity means. It shows us how you have to be ever vigilant to be good monks.

Do not be afraid to know what you do wrong. Be afraid that you don’t. And be willing to change it. We must say to ourselves, “No, I am not going that way anymore. Is it not God’s call to bring me to holiness? I must continue on the straighter road. I must continue to strive for holiness.”

If we all strive for holiness this way, we become one in unity — one in community. We strive to live well by inspiring each other to the good things.

Eagerness in prayer

I love going to Matins early every morning and seeing everyone coming. It makes me think, “I’ve got to get in there — I want to be a part of that!” I love when the bell rings and everyone is in a hurry to get to chapel. I think that is such a grace.

I also think it is such a grace when we serve each other at table. That is one of the most beautiful things of the monastic life. The world needs to return to serving one another. We need to keep that strong.

And we need to remember, during this Advent, that we are going to serve each other as best we can and keep our minds on prayer.

Let us dive in with joy. Let us pick up this season and run with hearts open wide. Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. When we pray “Your Majesty,” we must remember that He is the most majestic. I pray that everyone will have a holy and spiritually uplifting Advent that leads to prayer in which we are full of gratitude for Him who came so humble that He chose to be a child.

There’s nothing more humble.

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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.

We are also deeply grateful for our friends at the Denver Catholic who recently published this story based on an interview with our Abbess, Mother Maria-Michael, OSB: Where Heaven Meets the Hills: Walburga’s Mother Maria-Michael on the Beauty of Consecrated Life.

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.

Photos from the 2026 calendar

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.

The Abbey of St. Walburga will be hosting
an Advent Day of Recollection
with Sr. Maria-Walburga OSB

Saturday, November 22nd, 2025
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

“Beloved from the Beginning”

***NOTE: THIS EVENT HAS REACHED REGISTRATION CAPACITY***

Begin the Advent Season with a quiet day at the Abbey, pondering the Lord’s gift of love and renewal.

Hot drinks, cookies, and good cheer will be provided. 

Please bring your own lunch (refrigerators and microwaves will be available).

The suggested donation is $15 per person.

*There will be an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Registration is required. Please email our Guest Mistress at aswretreats@gmail.com
to make a reservation.

The reading from Zephaniah we have in the Office of Readings on the 21^st 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…”