On Pentecost Sunday, a group of high school teens from St. Michael’s Parish, Central City, NE, joined us for Mass at the monastery. It was the conclusion of their retreat weekend at St. Benedict Center in preparation for Confirmation. One of the retreat’s topics was noting, using, and fostering the gifts of the Holy Spirit within ourselves and others. Another topic was praying with Holy Scripture in such a way that through the words of Scripture God can speak to us, guide us, encourage us, challenge us and strengthen us (Lectio Divina). The students got an inkling of what it means to embark upon a journey of faith and discipleship that is truly their own. The Pentecost weekend was also the perfect time to learn about the Benedictine missionary work around the globe and to explore the missionary dimension in their own day to day life as Christians.
