Our little Paschal Candle Department did a beautiful job with this year’s artwork. Sister Ancilla masterminded the unique pelican design, and Sister Fidelis the parting of the Red Sea design. Since about the 12th century the pelican has been a symbol of the Passion of Christ, since the mother is known to pierce her own chest to provide blood for her young if there is no other food available. The parting of the waters is reminiscent of the Catecheses by Saint John Chrysostom, bishop:
The Israelites witnessed marvels; you also will witness marvels, greater and more splendid than those which accompanied them on their departure from Egypt. You did not see Pharaoh drowned with his armies, but you have seen the devil with his weapons overcome by the waters of baptism. The Israelites passed through the sea; you have passed from death to life. They were delivered from the Egyptians; you have been delivered from the powers of darkness. The Israelites were freed from slavery to a pagan people; you have been freed from the much greater slavery to sin.
We are now in our second week of “lock-down” at the Abbey. Thankfully, none of our Sisters have shown signs of the coronavirus yet, but our hearts go out to all those who have suffered and died from this disease. We hope that it will quickly come to an end, and that in the meantime we may use this trial as an opportunity to grow in deeper, more intentional love for each other and for the Lord, fixing our gaze on those things that are eternal.
Our cemetery on the morning of the first day of the “lock-down.” We pray especially for all those who have died from the coronavirus, and for the families who cannot be present with their loved ones at their passing.
On February 25 the Church honors the life of Saint Walburga, our community’s patroness. Here we are processing in to Vespers on that day, a day of great celebration in our house.
God our Father,
the life and deeds of St. Walburga are resplendent with your glory.
As we join with her in worship before your throne, grant that our prayer may effect healing and comfort for all those who seek her aid.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Liturgical Prayer for the Solemnity of St. Walburga
With 43 calves down and only one to go, our calving season is almost over! The only scare we had was a premature calf born in the middle of the night, which we found in the morning fighting for his life. Thankfully, after nursing him back to health in our barn for a couple days he is now running with the rest of them and rapidly catching up in size, too.
Oil painting by Mother Maria-Thomas for the cover of her book Reveries Under the Fig Tree: Volume I — Reflections for the Advent and Christmas Season
Mother Maria-Thomas wrote the following poem to accompany the first volume of her Reveries Under the Fig Tree, in which alludes to the theme she chose for her books: the encounter between Nathaniel and Jesus as described in John 1:45-51. In this passage we hear Christ telling Nathaniel that he saw him under the fig tree before he was called by Philip, which mysteriously led to Nathaniel’s immediate belief in Jesus as truly being the “Son of God” and “King of Israel.”
Our God is Coming
We don’t know what Nathanael saw that night under his fig tree in the dark winter’s skies. Was it a dream like Jacob had on his flight? A vision of angels soaring up to the heights carrying with them his prayers and tears, bringing back God’s assuring promise of light and protection which put an end to his fears?
Or did the Messiah appear to Nathanael, as he once did to the young Prophet Daniel who saw the Son of Man coming as Ruler of nations? At the end of all time from heaven he’ll descend as Savior and Judge from the Father’s right hand, Offering all mankind God’s new-born creation: Pure oceans, fresh air, and in spring-bloom the world; in fire all hearts then cleansed from transgressions.
Look at that star over Bethlehem: It seems to announce the place of his birth, As Balaam foresaw in the Hebrew story: The Magi set out from the ends of the earth, to worship the King, precious presents they bring. In vain did they seek him in palaces’ wealth. They found him at last in a cold, dripping cave on his mother’s lap while angels would sing of peace to all people and to God alone glory.
No witness we have of that reverie which only Nathanael himself could know. But so far he kept it in tight secrecy hiding this vision from his fellows below.
Now here comes this Rabbi from Nazareth, a small unknown city of dubious fame. The Messiah this man cannot possibly be, as some of his followers boldly proclaim. But his eyes pierce deep into my innermost heart: All my doubts, my desires he seems to see He must be the Messiah, the Son of God.
Oil painting by Mother Maria-Thomas for the cover of her book Reveries Under the Fig Tree: Volume II — Reflections for the Lent and Easter Season
Below is the poem she wrote for the second volume of her Reveries Under the Fig Tree:
The Phoenix
We don’t know what Nathanael dreamed that night under his fig tree in early spr Was it the same dream that Jacob, in flight, saw of the angels on a ladder to God carrying up his desires and fears, and in turn God’s assuring response did bring?
Or did the Messiah appear to Nathanael ready to free from the tight Roman yoke his ancestral heritage, the land Israel still held in bondage despite attempts of revolt?
Or was it more like a vision? Who knows? An appearance like that to Ezekiel who witnessed the throng of dead-stricken bones, arising to life by the fresh Spirit’s breath from the rubble of ashes, of fire and death?
Or did he see “Phoenix” in jubilant blaze ascending to God out of Calvary’s grave? taking dead humankind to God’s living face?
No witness we have of that reverie which only the dreamer himself could know. But he kept it so far in tight secrecy hiding this mystery from his fellows below.
Now here comes this Rabbi from Nazareth who beholds the deep secrets of all human hearts. He must be the Messiah, Israel’s King who, arising to glory from torment and death, to all waiting souls God’s salvation will bring.
