Our Blog

Reflections on the Gospel

Second Sunday of Advent

December 9, 2023: The Eve of the Second Sunday of Advent. As we light the second candle on our Advent wreath this evening “Behold the Man! The Orient is his name. He shall sit upon his throne and rule, and he shall speak peace to the nations.” So we sang on the feast of Christ the King. Jesus, Promised One,

Read More >
Reflections on the Gospel

First Sunday of Advent 2023

December 2, 2023: The Eve of the First Sunday of Advent. This evening, we stand on the brink of Advent. Before us stretches three weeks, twenty-one days where we will journey into the mystery of Emmanuel, God-with-us in the person of Jesus, the Gift of the Father. In the centuries before Jesus’ coming among us, the world was much as

Read More >
Reflections on the Gospel

CHRIST THE KING

November 26, 2023: A Reflection for the 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Matthew 25:31-46 Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Mt 25:29) “In the evening of life we will be judged on love alone.” So says the great Spanish mystic John of the Cross. The past few Sundays, the Church has been

Read More >
2023 Journal

November 2023 Santa Rita Abbey Update

November 5 – 11: National Vocation Awareness Week In honor of this year’s National Vocation Awareness Week, we are putting the spotlight on the three nonagenarians in our monastery. There they are in the photo below, left to right: Sr. Clare, Sr. Miriam and Sr. Jacqueline. They want you to notice their colorful socks, lest you think that being in

Read More >
Reflections on the Gospel

Garments of Mercy

October 15, 2023: A Reflection for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Matthew 22:1-14 My friend, how is it you came in here without a wedding garment? (Mt 22:11b) We’ve all been invited to celebrations and parties and one of the first questions we need to resolve when we receive the invitation is, ‘What do I wear?’ Is

Read More >
Reflections on the Gospel

GOD’S VINEYARD

October 8, 2023: A Reflection for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Matthew 21:33-43 There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. (Mt 21:34) I don’t know how many of you have noticed the sign on I-10 announcing Sonoita to be the viticulture

Read More >
Reflections on the Gospel

Choices

October 1, 2023: A reflection for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Matthew 21:28-32 ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards changed his mind and went. (Mt 21:23-24) Today’s readings speak of ways of living, ways of thinking and remind us of how we can change our

Read More >
2023 Journal

October 2023 Monastic Experience Weekend

Our Monastic Experience Weekends (MEWs) are for young women curious about life in a contemplative monastery and open to becoming a nun. This year we had the joy of welcoming Cristina, Anna, and Adrienne for the weekend of October 6-9. The entire weekend was punctuated with prayer as our guests joined us for the seven hours of the Divine Office

Read More >
Reflections on the Gospel

There Am I in the Midst of Them

September 10, 2023: A Reflection for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Yr A Matthew 18:15-20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Mt 18:20) “Love is the fulfillment of the law,” we hear in today’s second reading from St. Paul (Romans 13:10). At first glance, we can

Read More >

A Weekend of Prayer, Peace, and Possibility!

Step away from the noise and into the rhythm of monastic life. If you’re a Catholic woman discerning your path, our Monastic Experience Weekend offers a rare opportunity to explore contemplative life at Santa Rita Abbey.

Friday, October 4 – Monday, October 7

Skip to content