Introduction and Background
Please introduce yourself and share a bit about your background, wisdom tradition you most identify with, and the language you use in that tradition (Sacred Presence, Creator, Spirit, Universe, etc.).
Sister Betty Drewes OSB, Roman Catholic, Benedictine Sister
Education, Counseling and Spirituality Ministry – Retreats and Spiritual Direction
Trinity God – Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit
My family is Catholic, and I was educated in Catholic schools all my life. After attending Saint Benedict College in Ferdinand, IN I entered the Benedictine community. I have been a professed Sister of Saint Benedict for over 50 years!
I have professional degrees in education, counseling and spirituality. Presently I am a member of the spirituality ministry team for the Ferdinand Benedictine community. My past ministries include education, counseling, leadership, spiritual direction, supervision, and retreat ministry.
I give workshops and days of reflections for parishes and retreat groups. I currently provide spiritual direction in Paducah, KY, and southern IN. I love walking in nature, reading for leisure, listening to music, expressing spirituality in creative ways besides traveling and being with family and friends.
My favorite scripture quote is: “Love others as I love you.” (John 15:12) My favorite word from the Holy Rule is “Listen” from the Prologue and the best chapter is seventy-two on “Good Zeal”. My motto is “Living Each Day Fully With Joy!” for by doing just that “Every-day is a Holy-Day – Holi-day”! “Rejoice…this is the day the Lord has made.” (Psalm 118:24).
Anticipate ~ Inviting Wisdom
In what ways do you invite and engage Wisdom to be present with you? What rhythms or practices help you to be present Now, in each moment, with an expectant, listening heart?
Daily Personal Prayer
Liturgy of the Hours with Benedictine Community -Psalms and Hymns
Centering Prayer – Father Keating
Scripture – Lectio, Guided Imagery, Daily Readings
Sacraments in Catholic Church especially daily Eucharist
Creation Spirituality – Nature Walk, Labyrinth
Religious Art – Visio Divina
Daily Reading of the Hoy Rule of Saint Benedict
Rosary of Blessed Mother Mary–Apostles Creed, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be
Prayers to the Saints
Spiritual Reading especially Catholic (Catechism) and Benedictine Related Books
Living in the Present Moment – All the Above Practices include being immerse in God’s presence, being silent and listening with the ear of the heart (Saint Benedict’s expression) , seven rhythms of liturgy of the hours, Prayer of Presence described by Brother Lawrence—-aware of God’s abiding love.
Resonate ~ Engaging Understanding
How do you receive Wisdom’s Life and Presence into your own self? Is there a rhythm or practice that helps you to go deeper or expand your heart, understanding, and awareness in light of each exchange and encounter?
Continual Prayer Practices
Deeper Awareness and Focused Attention
Various Mantras
Daily Examen
Discernment Process
Journaling –Written and Creative Images
Monthly Sabbatical Weekend
Annual Eight Day Directed/ Conference Retreat
Translate ~ Sharing Knowledge
How do you creatively engage and reflect to others and the world around you what you have gained in the energy of this encounter?
Joyful Spirit of Receptivity
Being Fully Present to the Person or Group
Practicing Mindfulness
Companioning Others in Spiritual Direction
Presentation for Retreat
Emanate ~ Embodying Being
What rhythms or practices do you engage to help you become more integrated in your tradition ~ your own wholeness and well-being? Are there any practices from outside your tradition with which you also engage?
All the above practices help integration.
Spiritual Reading – Other Traditions
Experience Church Services from Other Traditions
Creative Art Expressions – Mural, Mandala
Music
Body Expressions – Breath Prayer, Christian Yoga and Liturgical Movement
Always Open to Learning new Avenues to the Divine
Practices that inspire me …
When does your tradition celebrate the beginning of the new year?
First Sunday of Advent
Please share any rituals, celebrations, and/or practices your wisdom tradition engages with or celebrates on the wheel of time/seasons/cycle of the year and their respective dates.
Advent: Respecting this season with minimal Christmas décor until after the annual Blessings of the Greens usually about ten days before
Christmas.
Christmas Eve: Special Blessings-Nativity Manger/ Lighting of the Trees with Evening Prayer
Eucharist Christmas Eve late and Christmas Morning
Epiphany: Blessings of the Home with the celebration of the Three Wise Men with Evening Prayer
Lent: Ash Wednesday – Personal Blessings with Ashes at Morning Prayer
Lenten Practices:
Bona Opera including one specific practice and selection of one book for six weeks of Lent.
Fasting for one day a week
Abstaining from meat/eating between meals on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
Praying the Stations of the Cross.
Palm Sunday: Services with procession carrying Palms
Triduum: Silence in monastery from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday Morn Service
Blessings in Our Monastery
February 2 Blessings of the Candles for Liturgical Celebration with Morning Prayer
February 3 Blessings of Throats in honor of Saint Blaise with Morning Prayer
February 5 Blessings of Agatha Bread with Evening Prayer
Benedictine Feasts
February 10 Saint Scholastica – Twin Sister of Saint Benedict
March 21 Feast of Saint Benedict (Day of His Death)
July 11 Feast of Saint Benedict on the Roman Catholic Church
Solemnities of Catholic Church
Mary, Mother of God (January 1)
Epiphany (January 6)
Ascension (forty days after Easter)
Most Holy Trinity (the Sunday after Pentecost)
Saint Joseph ( March 19)
Saint Peter and Paul ( June 29)
Assumption (August 15)
All Saints (November 1)
Immaculate Conception (December 8)
Is there anything else you would like to share about your process, practices, or your journey into your particular way of honoring the tradition(s) you currently engage???
For me, all these practices are based on faith and love of God and love and care of others. Every person needs to be changing as God invites us to do so every day! Being open and attentive to that Divine Spirit is so essential for our spiritual growth on the journey of faith! May it be so regardless of your traditions or practices. Be ever faithful. Be true to yourself. Love your God fully and others unconditionally and share the good news in all ways always.
