BENEDICTINE TOUCHSTONE Spring 2010 Benedictine • St. Emma • 1001 Harvey Avenue • Greensburg, PA 15601 Website www.stemma.org • Phone: (724) 834-3060 • Fax (724) 834-5772 • Email [email protected]

1300 – and counting! Happy Birthday St. Walburga! 2 Benedictine Nuns

Prioress’ Reflection By Mother Mary Anne Noll OSB For the past point, Mother Franziska OSB, the Abbess Emma is now responsible for continuing year, I have of Abtei St. Walburg, has worked closely to live this wonderful pattern of monastic offered peo- with this community towards this reality. life, building upon the example of our ple a project Among other things, she encouraged us to founding Sisters, and the spiritual support, that would be pray Vigils and to make Solemn Vows as encouragement and wisdom, that Mother unique in their part of the needed requirements for this to Franziska and the community of Abtei St. resumes: plan a occur. Since we also now have the requisite Walburg provided over the years. Accord- 1300th birthday number of American women in Solemn ing to Canon Law, a Conventual Prioress celebration for Vows, this appeared to Mother Franziska has a higher position and, therefore, now St. Walburga! They could figure out how has the sole responsibility for St. Emma many cakes, how many candles – and how Monastery. many fire trucks! How fitting that this daughter house of The relationship between St. Walburga Abtei St. Walburg should become indepen- who lived in the , St. Emma Monas- dent in the year celebrating St. Walburga’s tery, and all of us today in 2010? Living, 1300th birthday and the 975th anniversary influential, experiential! of the founding of that Abbey in her honor! Our forty founding Sisters entered Abtei Why do we remember her and try to St. Walburg, Eichstaett, , that was imitate her? What did Walburga do that founded in 1035 and has been in continu- made her an outstanding success story as ous existence ever since! During the 1930s a human being—a saint? our Sisters came to this country in order to Walburga practiced loving God and provide help for the monks of St. Vincent neighbor in her daily prayer and work that and to support their Mother Abbey where made up her life as a Benedictine . All vocations were abounding, but funds to of us—in or out of the monastery—are support all these Sisters lacking due to the called to the lifelong practices of having inflation at that time in that country that contact with God everyday and manifesting rendered their money “useless.” that prayer and love of God through our On January 1, 2010, St. Emma Monas- work and interactions each day. tery was granted the status of a Conventual St. Walburga statue (15th century) Walburga’s faith and her faithfulness in Priory, in accordance with the provisions in Abtei St. Walburg following Christ enabled her to leave her of Canon Law. What does this mean? For family, homeland and culture of England , each monastery is autono- and the communities of Abtei St. Walburg to go to the new land and culture of Ger- mous, “stands alone,” – even though they and St. Emma Priory as the appropriate many. Life often demands and God’s grace form congregations for mutual encourage- time. During these last 18 months, Mother enables that we move from the “known ment and support. The Sisters of St. Emma Franziska has worked carefully with our and comfortable” of the present to the Monastery will continue to belong to the community, the Holy See, Bishop Brandt “unknown and, therefore, unpredictable” “Federation of Bavarian Abbeys of Bene- of the Diocese of Greensburg, and the Ar- future. dictine Nuns,” but now as an independent chabbot of St. Vincent to create St. Emma Continued on page 6 Conventual Priory, and forever the daugh- Monastery as an independent Conventual Priory. The Touchstone is published by the Benedic- terhouse of our beloved Abtei St. Walburg. tine Sisters of Westmoreland County for our Since the goal of every Benedictine com- During Mother Franziska’s visit last No- friends and benefactors: munity is to become autonomous at some vember, the community members voted to Publisher and Editor become an Independent Priory. We along Mother Mary Anne Noll, O.S.B. with Mother Franziska selected the effec- Development Director All of us—in or out of the Robert J. Allen tive date to be January 1, 2010, the 1300th monastery—are called to the Graphic Arts and Design birthday year of St. Walburga – and the Susan Garrison lifelong practices of having 975th anniversary of the founding of Abtei If you have questions or comments about this contact with God everyday and St. Walburg, Eichstaett! publication, please address them to: From the outside, St. Emma Monastery St. Emma Monastery manifesting that prayer and 1001 Harvey Avenue is still the same. From the inside, we have Greensburg, PA 15601-1494 love of God through our work now officially “come of age” according Phone (724) 834-3060 and interactions each day. to Canon Law. The community here at St. Email: [email protected] Benedictine Nuns 3 Reflection from Mother Franziska Kloos OSB Prioress’ Reflection By Mother Mary Anne Noll OSB “Saint Emma Monastery now an Independent Monastery” As I look back on 2009, there is Most Reverend Lawrence E. Brandt (Dio- for the future. Through the intercession one memory that gives me particular joy. cese of Greensburg, 2004-present) and to of St. Walburga, may your community be It was the culmination of many steps over the Right Reverend Douglas R. Nowicki a place where in all things God may be many years, finally leading to the Decree of OSB (1991-present) who brought the pro- glorified (Rule of Benedict, Chapter 57). Independence raising St. Emma Monastery cess to this longed-for conclusion. to a Conventual Priory. We also thank: Mother Franziska Kloos OSB What does this mean? In his Holy • the community of St. Vincent Archabbey, Abbess Abtei St. Walburg Rule, St. Benedict describes various kinds past and present, for their spiritual and of monks. The monks he viewed to be the practical guidance; most steadfast of monks are described as • the volunteers who are such an cenobites, who live in a monastery, serving integral part of St. Emma and the Lord under a Rule and an abbot (Rule give so generously of their time, of St. Benedict, Chapter 1). prayer, hearts and talents to assist St. Benedict understood that a the community in their regular and monastery is much more than the physical special needs buildings. He described it, borrowing St. • and those who so generously Peter’s words, as a house of the Lord built support the St. Emma community upon living stones. Monks and nuns who financially, with gifts of great va- love and serve the Lord are those “living riety and their prayer. stones.” With all my heart, In St. Emma, everything has been I wish all of our daughters at prepared over decades for this wonderful St. Emma – this House of the Mother Franziska Kloos OSB and Archabbot House of the Lord, this house of living Lord – God’s abundant graces Douglas R. Nowicki OSB (St. Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, PA) signing the Independence documents. stones to become an independent Priory. The community, together with the Prioress, Mother Franziska Celebrates 25 Years as Abbess continues to seek the Lord in prayer and work, in peace and unity. On May 1, 2010, Mother Franziska celebrates her 25th The Mother Abbey has confidence anniversary of her abbatial blessing. What a special occasion in her daughters at St. Emma. The daugh- also for us for we have been greatly blessed by her wonderful ters must have the faith to go forth in the leadership during all of these years! spirit of Abraham, who left the land of his On each visit Mother Franziska basically saw “all” kinsfolk and his father’s house to journey within the first day and no improvement went by unnoticed. in a land that the Lord would show him; She “pitched in” and ran the dishwasher both in the monastery to go forth in the spirit of St. Walburga, and in the retreat house. Her presence and her conferences were who traveled from Anglo-Saxon England always uplifting. to work in the mission field of Germany; Several times Mother Franziska sent Sisters for several to go forth in the spirit of their founding months to “live in and help out.” Ten years ago she and the Sisters, who left Abtei St. Walburg to pray community generously loaned us Sr. Maria as novice-mistress and sub-Prioress for and work in the “missions” of St. Vincent which we are very grateful. Archabbey, Seminary and College. The idea to build our beautiful Cor Jesu Chapel was hers. When Mother The Abbess and the community of Franziska said to me, “Build a real monastic chapel,” my heart nearly stopped. She Abtei St. Walburg very much appreciate also “blessed” all the other renovations and improvements that we undertook. and thank all those who have helped to With our independence as a Conventual Priory for which she worked so support this House of the Lord and helped zealously, our Abbess Mother Franziska, in her own words, moves “from being a to make possible this grant of autonomy. mother to being a grandmother.” We know that we remain in her prayerful heart as We gratefully remember at this time all she remains in our grateful hearts. the Bishops of the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Greensburg, and the Archabbots of St. Congratulations and God’s continued blessings, Vincent Archabbey, who greatly helped St. Mother Franziska! Ad multos Annos! Emma Monastery at the different stages of this journey. Our special thanks go to the Mother Mary Anne OSB and the Nuns of St. Emma Conventual Priory 4 Benedictine Nuns

Shrine of St. Walburga located at St. Emma Monastery

Built in 1974, the walls of this star-shaped chapel were originally the 12 stained glass windows designed for the former St. Walburga Church in Pittsburgh, PA. The windows depict the life of St. Walburga, a Benedictine nun who was born in Anglo-Saxon England in 710 and followed her kinsman, St. Boniface, in the German mission.

III. Entering the Convent St. Walburga’s Way of Loving School at Wimborne, England

As many devout nobles want- I. In Her Parents’ ed a monastic education for a Home (after c.710) daughter, it is highly possible that Walburga was Walburga went to this famous born in the king- and strictly disciplined Wessex dom of Wessex in monastery. Girls studied the Bi- southern England. ble, Latin and music. They also Her noble par- learned arithmetic, geometry and ents, St. Richard manuscript writing (i.e. a scribe’s and the “Blessed most basic skills). Wuna”, had at least Let us pray that the young may six children. They grow up to know and love the and their parents faith. gathered daily for prayer at the cross IV. Making Profession on their estate. at Wimborne Let us pray for our families and all those dear to us. Certainly Walburga took vows; probably she did so II. Her Father and Brothers at Wimborne. She promised Set Off as Pilgrims (720) solemnly to obey her abbess The departure of her father and and to be deeply rooted in a two elder brothers as pilgrims to life of singing God’s praises Rome made a deep impression on seven times a day and of Walburga. Richard died at Lucca, showing in her conduct that . The youths reached Rome she preferred nothing to the where St. Wunibald (c.701-761) be- love of Christ. came a monk. The more robust St. Let us pray that the Lord Willibald (c.700-787) continued on may call many to the priest- to the . hood and religious life in to- Let us pray that we may deepen day’s Church. our own commitment to Christ, our Holy Redeemer. Benedictine Nuns 5 V. Departing from Her Native X. The Abbess of Heidenheim Land (740s) Abbot Wunibald, who Walburga’s great kinsman evangelized successfully in is St. Boniface (c.675-754), a the area, died in 761 after de- Benedictine monk, archbishop cades of illness and Walburga and martyr. Filled with good was asked to continue his zeal she left England to help him work. She came with some to proclaim Christ’s inexhaust- nuns, including Huneberc, to ible riches. Inevitably saying goodbye to loved ones was painful and face the difficult task of rul- she was never to see her native land again. ing both monks and nuns. Let us pray for all those suffering from the loss of loved ones. Let us pray that wisdom may be bestowed on all holding positions of authority in the Church. VI. Crossing the North Sea Although a mere legend relates that Wal- burga’s prayer calmed a storm, it has spiritual XI. St. Walburga’s Death (February 25, 779) significance. At times she and her Sisters faced Walburga died peacefully after many years of courageously carrying mighty waves of trials and tribulations, but, by her cross, the burden of being an abbess; it was indeed the cross which persevering in prayer, she gained ever greater inspired so many Anglo-Saxons tranquility and the gift of bringing the peace of to do such great things for God. Christ to others. However, her life is not limited Let us pray that we may develop greater to her earthly biography, but in- spiritual maturity through our ways of trials cludes her being and working and tribulations. in God after death (cf. Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, 42). Let us pray that we may do VII. Kinsfolk Welcoming Her Arrival in the Our Father’s will with loving Missionary Area (740s?) and loyal hearts. Her brothers, Willibald and Wunibald, welcomed Walburga and the nuns with her to Germany. Willibald became the first bishop of Eichstätt, a diocese cre- ated in 741 by Boniface. In 752 Wunibald XII. The Miraculous Flow of Oil founded a monastery at nearby Heidenheim In the 870s Walburga’s remains were solemnly brought to Eichstätt. and became its abbot. In 893 as some of her were being moved elsewhere it was dis- Let us pray that we too may respond covered that her bones were covered with drops of a dew-like liquid. humbly and lovingly to God’s Divine Provi- Touching the holy reliquary, a cripple was healed and devotion spread dence. rapidly. Abtei St. Walburg, which established St. Emma Monastery in 1931, VIII. Healing and Caring for the Sick was founded in 1035 and the present tomb was soon built. Below the One dark night, according to a legend sarcophagus is a significantly derived from a living tradi- shaft where the tion, Walburga, then abbess of Heidenheim, ‘holy oil’ flow- went alone to a noble’s home. She prayed ing from the all night at his dying child’s bedside and by reliquary is col- dawn the girl was healed! lected. Over the Let us pray for the sick and their care- centuries count- givers humbly and lovingly to God’s Divine less pilgrims, Providence. distressed in mind and body, have visited her IX. Teaching at Bischofsheim on the River Tauber (before 761) shrine, and still Perhaps Walburga’s ablest pupil was today some of those who pray with deep faith are cured or receive a Huneberc, a younger kinswoman, whom she deep sense of peace in their hearts to bear their cross more easily. De- later chose to write biographies on Willibald votion to her has extended throughout the world. and Wunibald, the invaluable sources of most Let us pray for the devout, the distressed and the dying who are mak- of our information. Both were probably at ing both intercession and thanksgiving to our beloved and generous St. Bischofsheim where the Wimborne-educated Walburga. abbess, St. Lioba, was another of Boniface’s kin. Let us pray for parents and all educating the young. Text based on research by Sister Beda Brooks OSB, Abtei St. Walburg, Eichstätt, Germany 6 Benedictine Nuns

Your way of acting should be different Triduum - Easter Schedule from the world’s way; the love of Christ Everyone welcome to worship with us! must come before all else. Holy Thursday – Rule of Benedict, Chapter 4 6:00 a.m. Tenebrae (Vigils and Lauds together) For us this “way of acting” means 9:00 a.m. Terce + Daily Eucharist 11:45 a.m. Sext/None (Midday + The Liturgy of the Hours chanted six Prayer) times daily 4:00 p.m. Vespers + Lectio Divina (sacred reading) 7:00 p.m. Mass of the Lord’s + Love made manifest in work Supper • Adoration of + Living in Community Blessed Sacrament + Hospitality (until 10:30 p.m.)

Good Friday 6:00 a.m. Tenebrae 9:00 a.m. Terce 11:45 a.m. Sext/None 3:00 p.m. Celebration of Lord’s Passion 7:00 p.m. Compline

Holy Saturday We invite single women, ages 16-40, to experience our monastic life in order 6:00 a.m. Tenebrae to discern if this “way of acting” is the way God is calling them to follow Him. 8:30 a.m. Terce 11:45 a.m. Sext/None Upcoming Monastic Live-In Experiences: 4:00 p.m. Vespers A Monastic Triduum, March 30-April 5, 2010 8:15 p.m. Easter Vigil

Summer Experience, July 9-14, 2010 Easter Sunday For additional information or to register for one of the Live-in Experiences email voca- 6:25 a.m. Lauds [email protected] or call 724-834-3060. 7:45 a.m. Terce If you know of someone who is considering religious life, we ask you to share this infor- 8:00 a.m. Eucharist mation with them, or if appropriate, to send us their name and address and we would be 11:45 a.m. Sext/None happy to send them information about our community. 5:00 p.m. Vespers As always, please remember in your prayers all those who are discerning a call to the 7:15 p.m. Vigils and Compline religious life or the priesthood in your prayers - God bless you!

Prioress’ Reflection Continued from page 2 many and Divine Providence chose the date of their arrival in Latrobe, PA. May we as an independent Priory and all of As the Sisters crossed the Atlantic, one story from the you move into our tomorrows with that same faith life of St. Walburga must have echoed in their memo- and faithfulness that St. Walburga lived – and ries; namely, the occasion when a violent storm arose inspires us to live. as her ship crossed the North Sea. St. Walburga prayed Ad multos Annos – to St. Walburga, to our and the storm abated. Motherhouse of Abtei St. Walburg, to St. Emma Conventual Arriving at St. Vincent on Walburga’s feast day must have been Priory, and to all our beloved volunteers and friends!! a reassurance for our founding Sisters. They had just “retraced” the faith journey of St. Walburga by crossing a body of water separating them from family and from a known land and culture Mother Mary Anne Noll OSB and bringing them to the new and unknown land and culture of Prioress Western Pennsylvania. St. Walburga encouraged them in their journey of faith. P.S. Mother Leonarda and the first Sisters arrived at St. Vincent Step after step in faith, each of our Sisters –past and present– Archabbey on February 25, 1931 – the feast of Saint Walburga. has laid the foundation for this community to become a Conventual The steamship line chose the day of their departure from Ger- Priory in 2010. Benedictine Nuns 7 Why God Must Come First By Robert J. Allen Pope Benedict XVI recently stated, “One must first believe Seeing God’s hand in her going with other Benedictine in order to understand God’s truth.” What a wonderful insight Nuns from Wimborne to Germany, Walburga trusted that God into our gift of faith! He also cited Saint Anselm: “Nor do I seek was the same from the one culture that she knew in England to to understand that I may believe, but I believe so that I may un- the unknown culture that existed in Germany. In her daily round derstand.” This shows that faith comes before reason, and reason of prayer and work, she always had to look beyond the surface can deepen faith. in order to see Christ in the Sisters that she lived with, the guests Too often we make judgments on what truth is based on who came to the door: all were God’s beloved. our feelings or the emotion we are expressing at that moment. To Her faith “developed” and deepened as ours should. These believe in God allows us to better understand how God is with us early English missionaries relied upon friends and benefactors who in all things. shared their faith and trust in God to help fund their This leads us to more fully realize that we will never fully in their outreach to Germany. understand God. Our goal should be to seek God in all that we “Development” is based on faith: the “recipients” began say, think or do, and see God in everyone we meet, to believe that a religious community, a school or a social service because they God exists in each person. saw a need and felt called in faith with God’s help to respond to Seeking God in all that she said, thought or did made that need. “With God’s help” included the generous donors who Walburga who lived 1300 years ago a saint and that same seeking also searched for God and whose desire it was to make the world of God will do the same for us. Her family certainly believed, or an essentially better place in which to live. the father and brothers would never have set out on pilgrimage That is the reason we seek God then and now—both for to the Holy Land. The mother with Walburga (and possibly other the nuns and for the benefactors. siblings) had to have faith to allow them to go. Benedictine Sisters Catholic Gift & Book Shop

Hand Made Chalice Neck- Five Way Sterling Clear vinyl book cover with textured cover lace with Heart Shaped Silver Medal, book, rosary, scapular, pin. Sterling Silver Birthstone Necklace. Beads in Chain. $15.00 18” Stainless Girl’s Set # 6500/05, $13.75 #S869 Chain (not shown) Boy’s Set # 6501/05, $13.75 18” Stainless Chain. $27.75 $27.00 5401ROSS/18S #:2004/SS/18S Order Form: Mail to: St. Emma Monastery, 1001 Harvey Ave., Greensburg, PA 15601 • Fax: (724) 834-5772 • Call (724) 834-7483 Name Both gift sets include: prayer book with pad- Payment Method Address ded, gold stamped cover and gold page edge, q Check q Discover City, State, Zip rosary (wood for boys, pearl for girls), rosary q VISA q Mastercard Telephone (If we have a question about your order.) case, color bookmark, scapular, pin. Card Number ______Need by: Boy’s Set $36.25 # 6521/7000/GB; ______Girl’s Set $36.25 # 6520/02/GB ______Item Quantity Unit Price Total Price Boy’s and Girl’s Prayer Books sold separate- Exp. Date ______ly, Boy’s #6521, $11.95; Girl’s #6520, $11.95 Signature ______Shipping Costs ______Up to $20 $ 5.95 $20.01 – $40 $ 6.95 For more First Communion $40.01 – $75 $ 8.95 items and links to other Residents of PA, add 6% sales tax $75.01 – $125 $ 9.95 sources, visit our website Shipping (See chart to left) $ 125.01 & up $ 10.95 www.stemma.org NO CODs Total 8 Benedictine Nuns

Prayer Requests 2010 Retreat Programs For additional information on any of these retreats or to make & Intentions reservations, please visit www.stemma.org – thank you! Please use the enclosed envelope March 12-14 Men Rev. Barry O‘Leary, Theme: Saints Alive, to send us your prayer requests and $145 intentions. 15 Lenten Evening of Recollection, 4-9 p.m. Rev. Msgr. Lawrence Kiniry, Theme: Women of the Resurrection, $20 19-21 SILENT Rev. Boniface Hicks, OSB, Theme: The $8 Billion: Are You Part Owner? Silence of Joseph, $145 25 Lenten Evening of Recollection, 4–9 p.m. Have you received a Gift Card(s) for which Rev. Robert Lubic, $20 you have no particular use? The National Retail 27 Lenten Day of Recollection, 9–3:30 p.m. Federation estimates that 10% of the approxi- Rev. Donald Raila, OSB, Theme: Obedience as a Pleasing Sacrifice to God, $28 mately $80 billion gift cards given this last Christmas season July 23-29 6 Day Silent Retreat, Rev. Donald Raila, OSB – or $8 billion worth of gift cards – do not get redeemed. Theme: Keys to Growing in Holiness: Obediene, Mother Mary Anne spotted the above statistic and Silence, Humility, $365 knew immediately that she could find a use for cards just go- ing to waste! As mentioned in past issues – the Nuns will not be eating out on the cards or using any spa days! – but like Encounter with Silence, July 23-30 everything else the Sisters receive, she’ll find a best use for it! Truth must bear fruit in love, and love must proceed from truth. Do you have any unused GIFT CARDS that you could These words of the late Father John J. Hugo crystallize the com- please donate? If so, contact Mother Mary Anne at: (724) 834- pleteness of Christianity that the Encounter with Silence memorably 3060. conveys. The retreat creates a spiritual hothouse of strict silence, pro- found prayer and Holy Mass. It then plants the seed of conversion Huge Indoor Flea Market by showing that Christ’s teaching must be radically change our June 18-19 • (Air conditioned) lives, and especially our mentality: Christianity demands more than respectability and natural virtue. Christians are called to holiness Delicious food (eat-in or take-out) • Dishes • Glassware • and perfection. Children’s items • Furniture • Tools • Seasonal items • Books • CDs It boldly challenges the purely human thinking of our times with • DVDs • Hardware • Small Appliances • Housewares • divine truth. Join us in holy silence and be transformed, so that the Stuff, stuff, and more stuff! Church and Her saints can transform the world. Retreat Master: Rev. John-Mary Tompkins OSB Comments from last year’s visitors ‘The ‘Premiere flea market– Items displayed as if in a store’ • ‘Ev- Retreat House accommodations: $425 erything is so clean and neat!’ • ‘Have always wanted to visit Monastic Guest House accommodations: $475 St. Emma; this gave me a reason!’ • ‘Couldn’t believe the quantity and variety of items.’ • ‘I look forward to this every year.’ • ‘The de- licious food is enough to bring me back.’ • ‘I scheduled a vacation day so I can come!’ • ‘Everyone is so friendly!’ Busy Moms Overnight Retreat • Aug. 20-21 Angels to Your Children, Archangels to Your Donations gladly accepted after June 1 Grandchildren, Christ to Each Other (Please, no large appliances, clothing or shoes) Rev. Angelus Shaughnessy OFMCap • $75

The vocation of motherhood is awesome to the point that some- Please remember us when times moms don’t take time for themselves. With that in mind, this revising or making overnight retreat was planned for mothers of young children. (You are welcome to stay an extra night if possible.) your will. The retreat opens with dinner at 6:00 p.m. on Friday with Mass at 8:00 p.m. (but you are welcome to come any time after Our legal name is: 2:00 p.m.). The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available at The Sisters of various times throughout the retreat. Saturday’s schedule includes Saint Benedict a conference and Holy Hour as well as time for sharing and quiet of Westmoreland County time just for you. We invite you to have your family join you for Our Federal ID‑# is: 25-1017575 the 4:00 p.m. anticipated Sunday Mass and to stay on for pizza, pop and ice cream.