Summer of Saints

A recap and reflection on the women’s summer book study

By Mtr. Janne Osborne
Over the summer a small group of women met weekly to enter into conversation with five medieval women saints: Hilda of Whitby, Julian of Norwich, Hildegard of Bingen, Teresa of Avila, and Clare of Assisi. Each of them showed faith, strength, and determination in their own very challenging time and exerted tremendous influence in their world -- they conversed with, corresponded with, and influenced the political and religious leaders (all men) of their day. All but Hilda also produced significant manuscripts and books giving us great insight into how they shaped their own life and education; they were creative in how they sought to be close to God and in understanding how God was present to them. Each of us benefitted in various ways from these intimate insights into other women's lives and their willingness to let go of more comfortable lives in order to get to know God more fully. In coming together to learn of these saintly lives, we were able to create a safe space where we, like our ancient sisters, could pray, learn, ask questions, and, in short, figure out things about how God is present with us. Thanks to all who were able to come.

By Christa Gregg
What can five women who lived centuries ago in a vastly different time and place teach us today in our modern age of AI, where we can easily access the knowledge we want and have many houses of worship to choose from? Great question. The answer varies for each woman who journeyed with us this summer as we explored the lives of these Saints. For me, they taught me about how truly vast God is in revealing God’s self to humanity and the deep, enduring love God has for us, as well as the way we hold mystery—not as something to be feared, but as a means of inviting us deeper into connection with the divine. 
All of these women led lives that first seem impossible for us to imitate today, and honestly, who would want to do so? Giving up all material possessions, living literally in the church in a cell with a view in and out, living cloistered, barefoot, in silence, and constantly in contemplative states? Sure, maybe for a weekend, but for decades? I kept asking myself how much of their devotion was truly to Jesus and how much was an opportunity for them to live a life of the mind, get an education, and avoid the societal pressures on women to marry and have children as their only purpose. To be clear, I have little doubt these women loved God, encountered God, and wanted to serve Him faithfully and share what they learned with others, but would they have had the visions, the insights, and the space to reflect if they had not been in an abbey? This is where we connect. Finding time and space to write down a few thoughts has been challenging. Studying these women has helped me gain a deeper appreciation for practicing some form of contemplation to be still and know that God is truly God. I don’t feel the need to be in their exact settings, just as not everyone is called to be officially ordained, but one way we can follow Jesus is by imitating His actions of taking time to be with the Father. 
 
So that’s what I took away from Summer of Saints.  Take time to be intentionally in God’s presence.  Knowing the Saints who have gone before me have struggled with many of the same questions about God, the problem of Sin and Evil, why does the Divine love us, are we wretched, all these questions have been wrestled with, and I’m in great company. While God may not give me a black and white answer that is definitive or even satisfying, God will meet me where I am and invite me deeper into communion and relationship with the Trinity.  And that is where I can rest.