Benedictine Footprints: a retreat that changed lives
Author and Benedictine Oblate Judith Valente was joined by 16 pilgrims for the Benedictine Footprints pilgrimage/retreat in the Abruzzo region of Italy last month for a contemplative, cultural, culinary journey.
What the world needs now is poetry
When we call on poetry, we hope and expect to find something deep and genuine. In a time of rampant misinformation and ‘alternative facts’, poetry serves as a Cassandra-like truth-teller.
The Art of Pausing: Embracing the Current Moment
The pandemic has been an opportunity to practise the art of pausing to help us appreciate the beauty, the wonder, the mystery that is all around us, writes Judith Valente.
Viewing the coronavirus crisis through a Benedictine lens
The building of community is one of our major callings as Benedictine Oblates. During this pandemic, we must remove ourselves from the community to ensure its survival, writes Judith Valente....
Finding freedom on death row
‘The Sun Does Shine’ is about the triumph of the human spirit over seemingly insurmountable adversity and of hope over hate.
Praying in a 24/7 world
I find comfort in this ancient idea that prayer can weave through the fabric of my work life, where I spend the bulk of my time and energy, writes Judith...
We're losing touch with the art of listening
Listening for Benedictines isn’t a passive endeavour. It is an act of will, of paying attention, writes Judith Valente.
Is there life before death? On living fully
In a reflection adapted from her new book, “How to Live”, Judith Valente considers a well-known line from “The Rule of St Benedict” which underscores a question Benedictine Sister Joan...