Sisters of St. Benedict to host four-day ‘Triduum Retreat’

This cross adorns the monastery chapel at the Sisters of St. Benedict’s Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove. (Submitted photo)

By Mary Ann Wyand

For more than 50 years, the Sisters of St. Benedict of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove have invited guests to join them for Holy Week liturgies at the monastery chapel.

The sisters offer a four-day “Triduum Retreat” at the monastery with accommodations for men and woman at the adjacent Benedict Inn Retreat and Conference Center, located at 1402 Southern Ave.

“These holiest days of the liturgical year are filled with the history of our salvation,” explained Benedictine Sister Mary Luke Jones, director of the retreat center.

“We consider ourselves to be seeking our way to heaven just like everybody else,” she said, “… and we want to welcome others to join us in that prayer. … [St.] Benedict says in his Rule that all guests are to be treated as Christ. That is what directs our ministry of hospitality.”

The sisters enjoy sharing their liturgies and prayers with other faithful throughout the year and especially during the Triduum, Sister Mary Luke said. “The Holy Week services are wrapped in the spirit of silence and prayer and retreat.”

On Holy Thursday, the monastic community and guests enjoy the Agape (love) feast based on an early Christian banquet or common meal.

“Following the example of Jesus, [our] prioress, Sister Carol Falkner, and subprioress, Sister Rebecca Marie Fitterer, serve the meal,” Sister Mary Luke said. “Later, during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, they wash the feet of 12 sisters. At the conclusion of the Eucharist, participants are invited to ‘watch and pray’ before the Blessed Sacrament.”

Benedictine Father Matthias Neuman, chaplain, is the celebrant for the Triduum liturgies.

For the Good Friday liturgy, Sister Mary Luke said, the monastery chapel is stripped of decorations, the altar is bare and the door of the empty tabernacle is left standing open as if in mourning.

A single, large cross dominates the chapel for the Adoration of the Cross during the Good Friday afternoon service as Sister Antoinette Purcell proclaims the Passion narrative in the New Testament from memory.

“Each morning and evening [throughout the year], the monastery community gathers for the chanting of the Divine Office,” Sister Mary Luke said, which is also known as the Liturgy of the Hours.

“Consisting of hymns, psalms and prayers, this is the official prayer of the Church that is the responsibility of men and women religious,” she said. “The Office takes on special significance on Holy Saturday while Jesus lies in the tomb. Devoid of organ music and with no ‘Alleluias,’ this day of silence and prayer prepares us for the glorious Easter Vigil.”

Outside the monastery chapel, a new fire is kindled to start the Easter Vigil and the Paschal Candle is lit there. As the sisters and guests process into the chapel, the celebrant sings “Light of Christ.”

Sister Mary Luke said the Scripture readings are “told” around a fire by four sisters who memorize the selections from Genesis, Exodus and Ezekiel.

“Throughout Holy Week, the monastery schola [choir] sings the traditional lamentations,” she explained, “but on Holy Saturday the glorious ‘Alleluia,’ which has not been uttered for 40 days, rings forth. Lilies, candles and altar decorations adorn the chapel as the Easter celebration begins.”

After the evening liturgy, guests join the sisters at the assembly room in the monastery for hot cross buns, Easter eggs, breads and drinks.

“On Easter Sunday,” Sister Mary Luke said, “the community gathers once again for Mass in honor of the Resurrection and in thanksgiving for the sacrifice made by our Lord and Savior. The monastery’s bell choir and schola add to the assembly’s voices raised in praise.”

The “Triduum Retreat” includes lunch and dinner with the sisters, opportunities for spiritual direction, and time to walk the grounds as well as pray at the outdoor labyrinth and Stations of the Cross.

St. John the Evangelist parishioners John and Eileen Ahrens of Indianapolis have enjoyed participating in Advent and Lenten retreats with the sisters since December 1996.

“We find it very worthwhile,” Eileen Ahrens said. “It’s been a very good experience for us. I think, especially at the Triduum, it’s nice to have the quiet time, to keep the silence and to be able to pray with the sisters. … It’s a time of quiet and prayer to focus on God.”

John Ahrens said he has meditated on the Passion narrative during Holy Week for years. He finds it more contemplative and meaningful at the monastery.

“It’s sacred time apart, separateness from everything,” he said, a time devoted to God.

(For more information about the “Triduum Retreat,” call the Benedict Inn Retreat and Conference Center at 317-788-7581.) †