Wednesday morning neighbors gathered at Visitation Monastery to share the Eucharist. Afterward all joined together for brunch. Kelly brought a quiche. Someone else a Pistachio cake, traditional gift near St. Patrick's Day. Afterward all shared in clean-up.
Peace and gentleness permeate the atmosphere. Here is a world I have just become aware of -- where prayerfulness is cultivated not only by the sisters, but by the friends who have gathered around them in the past 24 years. It is a beautiful and wonderful way to live - and a means to counteract the violence of the world around us.
I hope to come and stay here for a long retreat soon - probably for six months. I want to learn how they are so peaceful, so gentle, so resilient, so effective in small, but wonderful ways. I told them that they have learned a dance - a way of being with each other and with others that provides a container for this peace. I want to learn the dance. I want to try it out. There is still time for me to learn a new dance, I think. And maybe share it with others.
