Oklahoma

The past couple days I have been traveling throughout Oklahoma with Sisters Barbara and Lucille. We started by visiting the Benedictine community in Tulsa. They are finishing up some major renovations and it was nice to see their place. We arrived, toured the monastery, spent the night and then shared prayer and breakfast before we got back on the road. This is a picture of their chapel. It has a really nice curved ceiling with wonderful lighting and is a nice community prayer space.

After leaving Tulsa, we continued on to Sand Springs. Here we visited a Benedictine of Perpetual Adoration Community. This community is an ashram and has several hermitages in the woods. It has a common dining area and a wonderful chapel. The chapel has beautiful windows overlooking the woods and is in the round. The two pictures below are of the chapel and their unique tabernacle. I think both were wonderful.

Finally, we ended our travels at the Benedictine monastery in Oklahoma City/Piedmont. Here Sr. Barbara is making her retreat before final vows and Sr. Lucille and I are taking a few days of R and R. The flowers are in full bloom, the grass is green and today it got up to 73! While there was some rain I am just so happy to be in the midst of spring. This is a wonderful community as well and it has been great sharing in their meals, prayers and community life.

The chapel here also has tremendous windows that overlook the pond. Often during prayer herons or geese land on the water. It is such an amazing site while praying. This chapel is newer and also has some interesting designs within it. Below are a picture of the chapel and the tabernacle as well. I just love the differences and similiarities in Liturgical space. I find it facinating to see the space in which people pray.

I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to visit other communities, see their monasteries, pray with them, share in meals and community life. It is almost like visiting my cousins house when I was a kid - a bit like home and yet different but very enjoyable. Well I am off to read a bit more before bed. My room overlooks the lake and it is warm enough to leave the window open and hear the sounds of the pond. What a great way to end the day. God is truly good!