The brothers and sisters of Saint Brigid of Kildare Monastery welcome you to our community connections page. Here you will find our community blog, where once a month, a member of our community reflects on the question of what it means for them to live their Benedictine call in the world. You will also find links to the webpages, blogs, and ministries of many of our members. We hope you enjoy this glimpse into our community.
September 2024 Community Blog
The Benedictine life came as a surprise to me. As a Methodist growing up in the South, surrounded mostly by other Protestants and a handful of Roman Catholic friends, I never gave monasticism a thought; if I had, it would only have been as a caricature from the Middle Ages. So, to find out in my mid-20s that there are still monks and that they are part of a living, breathing tradition that dates to the early centuries of Christianity was revelatory.
My first introduction to Benedictinism was through two professors of mine who were oblates, one of Saint Benedict’s Monastery and the other of Saint John’s Abbey. Both attributed the witness of their sanctity to following the Rule of Saint Benedict. One of them recommended that I read Esther de Waal’s book, Seeking God: The Way of Saint Benedict. It was a “coming home” moment that changed my life and set my course.
The rest, as they say, is history. For nearly 40 years now, I have been dedicated to working out what it means to be a monk in the world, 25 of which have been as a member of this dispersed monastery. The greatest affirmation of the journey is that the Benedictine life is truly nothing other than one way of following the Christian path in community. The sisters and brothers with whom I walk are family to me. Their devotion inspires me; their love sustains me. I am grateful for the Spirit’s guidance that led me here and that continues to abide with me every step of the way. In everything may God be glorified!
The Benedictine life came as a surprise to me. As a Methodist growing up in the South, surrounded mostly by other Protestants and a handful of Roman Catholic friends, I never gave monasticism a thought; if I had, it would only have been as a caricature from the Middle Ages. So, to find out in my mid-20s that there are still monks and that they are part of a living, breathing tradition that dates to the early centuries of Christianity was revelatory.
My first introduction to Benedictinism was through two professors of mine who were oblates, one of Saint Benedict’s Monastery and the other of Saint John’s Abbey. Both attributed the witness of their sanctity to following the Rule of Saint Benedict. One of them recommended that I read Esther de Waal’s book, Seeking God: The Way of Saint Benedict. It was a “coming home” moment that changed my life and set my course.
The rest, as they say, is history. For nearly 40 years now, I have been dedicated to working out what it means to be a monk in the world, 25 of which have been as a member of this dispersed monastery. The greatest affirmation of the journey is that the Benedictine life is truly nothing other than one way of following the Christian path in community. The sisters and brothers with whom I walk are family to me. Their devotion inspires me; their love sustains me. I am grateful for the Spirit’s guidance that led me here and that continues to abide with me every step of the way. In everything may God be glorified!
About the Author:
Mary Ewing Stamps is a founding member of Saint Brigid of Kildare Monastery. She currently serves as Amma of the community.
Mary spent most of her growing up years in Florida but has been happily at home in Minnesota for over 20 years. When not engaged in monastery work, she enjoys painting, reading and study, volunteering at Saint Benedict’s Monastery down the street, and hanging out with her two cats, Evy and Mouse.
Mary Ewing Stamps is a founding member of Saint Brigid of Kildare Monastery. She currently serves as Amma of the community.
Mary spent most of her growing up years in Florida but has been happily at home in Minnesota for over 20 years. When not engaged in monastery work, she enjoys painting, reading and study, volunteering at Saint Benedict’s Monastery down the street, and hanging out with her two cats, Evy and Mouse.
A Few of Our Community Members' Websites and Ministries