Divine Mercy Pilgrimage

In anticipation of Divine Mercy Sunday a few Sisters made a mini pilgrimage to the Divine Mercy Shrine in Stockbridge MA during Easter break. Unfortunately the Shrine Chapel was not open due to visitor restrictions for Covid… or so we thought! No sooner had the pilgrims arrived than they met Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, Director of the Association of Marian Helpers, who graciously allowed the Sisters to visit the Shrine and gave them a full tour! It was a blessing to be able to see the Shrine in its Easter glory, to spend time in prayer and also to venerate the relic of Saint Faustina which is enshrined there.

After a picnic lunch on Eden Hill, the Sisters made the Stations of the Cross at the Shrine then headed off to visit the nearby Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy. Our friend Father James welcomed the Sisters and gave them a tour of the projects there! It was an impressive tour, and all the hard work of the missionaries is obviously blessed by Our Lady! It almost felt like our monastery!

Enjoy a few photos of the pilgrimage day below!

Holy Week & Easter

Holy Week and Easter were absolutely beautiful here at the monastery! There are some lovely photos of the ceremonies posted on the Saint Benedict Center site.

The rich symbolisms, and chants of the Sacred Triduum in the traditional rite are unsurpassed. It is truly a soul-stirring experience to walk in the footsteps of the Man of Sorrows through Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Holy Saturday and the Easter Vigil are brimming with expectation …and the glory of Easter morning is truly radiant! He is risen!

Convent Chapel Good Friday

The week that follows is full of its own monastery traditions, as we break from school to spend time with the Risen Christ. The days of quiet peace and celebration are relished by all the Sisters. Easter Monday always features a “walk to Emmaus” …which took us to our local cemetery this year where we sang Easter songs for our dearly departed. Even the weather reflected the glory of Easter! Reading, gardening and catching up on personal projects was a great break from the daily routine. From start to finish it was one glorious Alleluia!

Enoy a look at our Holy Week, Easter and Easter Week in the photo gallery below!

Sisters MICM Online!

The Sisters, Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Saint Benedict Center, are excited to have their own home online… and you have found it!

The Saint Benedict Center website has existed for a number of years and will continue to be a great place for featuring the various apostolates of our busy monastery. However, the new Sisters MICM site (as with our facebook page) will be a lovely spot to highlight many different facets of the life of the Sisters. We are excited to be able to share more of our beautiful life here!

We look forward to updating it often and keeping contact with all our friends, family and benefactors from across the country and beyond! Visit again soon!

Sisters MICM have their own website!

Praising God in Music

On March 18, 2021, our 30+-year-old organ was removed from the choir loft of Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel and a new one was moved in! Sister Mary Clair, our organist, was there to try it out just as soon as everything was set up! The organ’s first Mass was played on the feast of Saint Joseph! What a blessing!

The richer sound and updated capabilities of the new instrument will surely add to many Masses and liturgical ceremonies for many years to come!

Sister plays the new organ in IHM Chapel

Saint Patrick’s Day Songs

Every year the Sisters perform at the Saint Patrick’s Day Talent Night here at the monastery! This year we sang two pieces that were popular tunes with new lyrics written by the Sisters.

The first song, written to the tune of the traditional Irish song, “Maggie,” was re-written as “Saint Joseph’s Memorare.” The words are written to be as if Saint Joseph is speaking to the Blessed Mother, remembering the childhood of Christ and the years of the Hidden Life in Nazareth.

Saint Joseph’s Memorare

Remember that night long ago, Mary,
A poor stable bare and cold;
When God came from Heaven to us, Mary,
You gave Him to me to hold.
The beauty, the love of that moment, Mary,
My poor hands trembling all the while;
No time on this earth can compare, Mary,
To when I first saw God smile.

 Remember watching Him grow, Mary,
His first little steps to my arms;
The first time He called out my name, Mary,
With infinite sweetness and charm.

And as He would work by my side, Mary,
Holding His little Hand in mine;
I wondered in awe that I taught, Mary,
Our little Creator Divine.

‘Twas Heaven on earth that we spent, Mary,
Those days back in Galilee;
Having and holding the one, Mary,
Whom prophets and kings longed to see.
The years have gone by, time has flown, Mary,
To think that God became our Son…
Ah, ‘tis sweet to remember with you, Mary,

The second song was written to an upbeat country song which was ironically named “It’s America.” The rewritten version was entitled “The Immaculate” and is a musical reminder that America is consecrated to the Immaculate Conception, and she will always be our confidence and strong defense!

The Immaculate

Immaculate she was conceived,
God’s perfect masterpiece
She leads the armies of our God against the evil foe.
In the end she’ll crush his head
And he lies and waits in dread
The pure and humble woman who was promised long ago
The Immaculate

Chorus
She’s the glorious one
She’s as bright as the sun
Like an army in array
She’s our strong defense
She’s our confidence
For she is so full of grace
She shields from harm with open arms
Her children and her slaves
The Immaculate 

Through the years the battles raged
Fierce wars the Church has waged.
In her dangers, in her needs, she calls for help on high.
Mary always hastens there
Close to hear the fervent prayers
All the enemies of God, our Queen has put to flight
The Immaculate

Now when this war is at its height
The name of Mary is our battle cry!

For she’s our queen in command
She will lead the advance
And our hearts we consecrate
To the conquering woman whose loving hand will defend our Catholic Faith!

 

Lyrics written by the Sisters MICM