Sister Rose Ann
Written by… Sister Rose Ann Barmann, OSB,
In opening the Second Vatican Council, Pope John XXIII spoke of the need to “open the windows of the Church” and to let in the fresh air of the Holy Spirit. Vatican II was ignited by the Holy Spirit and within a decade, the Council and the call for renewal touched everything in my religious life. I was transformed in my understanding of who I was called to be as Benedictine in the Church and in the world. My name, Sister Augustine changed back to my baptismal name, Rose Ann. The changes of the Council were calling forth and allowing me to be more fully human, holy and authentic. The religious habit that had “set me apart” and in many ways was perceived as “sisters” being an elite class now opened me to the reality that all of God’s people have a vocation and a call to holiness.
These simple external changes of my name and religious habit were visible signs that the Spirit was transforming my heart and calling me into deeper union with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. 
The transformation continues today through my monastic life in community, in the Eucharist, Liturgy of the Hours and Lectio. I see Christ in thousands of faces and places. In celebration of this 50th anniversary of Vatican II, Benet Hill Monastery will be offering a Series of audio lectures with discussion on Sundays, 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. on October 7, 21 and November 4, 18, following our 10:15 Mass. Come Join Us. This will be time for us to remember Vatican II and speak of how it has transformed our lives. We also invite you to share your Personal Story of faith, and Vatican II on our monastery blog at: https://benethillmonastery.wordpress.com. under the tab “Stories of Faith”.
The transformation continues today through my monastic life in community, in the Eucharist, Liturgy of the Hours and Lectio. I see Christ in thousands of faces and places. In celebration of this 50th anniversary of Vatican II, Benet Hill Monastery will be offering a Series of audio lectures with discussion on Sundays, 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. on October 7, 21 and November 4, 18, following our 10:15 Mass. Come Join Us. This will be time for us to remember Vatican II and speak of how it has transformed our lives. We also invite you to share your Personal Story of faith, and Vatican II on our monastery blog at: https://benethillmonastery.wordpress.com. under the tab “Stories of Faith”. ____________________________________________________________
Link to the Documents of Vatican II: http://stjosef.at/council/
Presence in the Pines 