Welcome to the Mewsletter!

All felines in the Cloister are glad that you are here!



I’m Br. Ricky, Novice Master and Mewsletter editor. I bring you Benedictine wisdom from the Feline Cloister.

Thank you for your patience as this 3rd quarter Mewsletter was delayed. Amma and I spent two weeks in Minnesota. Amma was received as an Oblate Candidate at St. Benedict's Monastery in St. Joseph. Then a week in Minneapolis where we enjoyed walks around the lakes. 

This issue may be a challenge for some. We are focusing on humility in the Rule of St. Benedict. But there is a fun puzzle for you to do - a lighthearted way to learn.

Let's get started without another mew.

Mewsletter Contents

Here’s what you will find in the Mewsletter. Read it all or scroll down to the section you want to read.

Become a Worldwide Novice

Mewsings from the Feline Cloister - "A Mew for Humility"

Felines Unpack the Rule of St. Benedict - "Climbing the Ladder of Humility: Steps 6 & 7"

The Benedictine Word Search - Learn about Benedictine Obedience by doing a fun puzzle

Monastery of the Mewsletter - Christ the King Priory in Schuyler, Nebraska

Novice Application

Visit the Feline Cloister



Become a Worldwide Novice

Hello. Br. Ricky here. I thought that it was time to talk to you about one of the more challenging chapters in the Rule - Chapter 7 on Humility.

Humility is not a popular word, topic for discussion or sought-after personal quality. But growing in humility is so important when we want to follow the Benedictine way.

I asked Resident Novice William to do the research and prepare an article about humility in the Rule. I'll let him explain how and why he got this solo assignment.

Please join Novice William by clicking on the link below. Blessings.

Br. Ricky gifted Novice William with the opportunity to learn even more about humility by asking him to unpack two steps of humility. William learned a lot that he wants to mew to you. In fact, Br. Ricky has begun to notice positive changes in his behavior and attitudes.

Perhaps what he shares will help you, too.

Announcing the Winner of Last Issue's Game -

The Benedictine Numbers Game

To see this game in the 2nd Quarter issue of the Mewsletter, click here.

Novice Inquirer Tuxedo printing

the new Benedictine Word Search

Br. Ricky has come up with a new way to teach! He wants you to have some fun, but still learn all about the Rule.

In this Mewsletter he has put together a Word Search to help you learn about obedience in the Rule. He thought this would be a good match to the focus on humility.

To download a copy of the puzzle that you can print, click here.

Here we go! Have fun!!

Click here to download a copy of the answers.

Resident Novice Sebastian Thomas'

Aunt Flossie hisses yet again,

"I am really weary with all this mewing about humility. And now the puzzle is about obedience? When are we going to have some fun? Hiss!"

The Monastery of the Mewsletter

Christ The King Priory

The History

In 1884 Father Andreas Amrhein, OSB, started the Congregation of Missionary Benedictines, establishing a central motherhouse in St. Ottilien in Southern Germany. From there, missionary monks were sent to Africa, East Asia, and South America. 

The Congregation’s first 50 years were challenging with economic uncertainty, a World War, and Hitler’s rise to power. Funding for missions suffered and some monasteries experienced suppression. 

In the late 1920s, the Abbey of Muensterschwarzach, the motherhouse, sent a fundraising team to the U.S. These monks would eventually establish a mission house in Schuyler, Nebraska. Now called Christ the King Priory, this Benedictine community has thrived and grown while expanding the missionary work of our earlier monks. 

NOTE: You will need to ask Google to translate the German to English on the Abbey of Muensterschwarzach home page. How amazing! And not hard to do.

Today the Missionary Benedictine Congregation of St. Ottilien is a union of monasteries of over 1,000 monks who, under the guidance of the Gospel and the Rule of Saint Benedict, seek God and serve humanity in community.  This worldwide network of Missionary Benedictines is in 4 continents and in 20 countries.  

To see a listing, with photos, of nearly half the member monasteries, tap here.

The St. Benedict Retreat Center -

A Mission of Christ the King Priory

On July 11^th, 1997, the Feast of Saint Benedict, the monastic community dedicated their new retreat house, the Saint Benedict Center. In the spirit of Benedictine hospitality, guests are welcomed as Christ (RB 53.1) The retreat center is a place of peace for people of many faiths who seek God.  In August, 2024 Amma was fortunate to lead a weekend retreat at the beautiful Saint Benedict Center. The Center offers programs throughout the year. 

Please take a few minutes for a virtual tour of this beautiful space. Tap here.

A statue of St. Benedict on the St. Benedict Center grounds

A Word About the Mission of the Congregation of St. Ottilien

Missionary projects focus on healthcare, education, evangelism, and sustainability. From the Missionary Benedictine website:

“Our mission monasteries have become social and spiritual centers in which we bear witness to the love of God in words and deeds. We are there. For the people. Brothers from our abbey live temporarily or permanently in our partner monasteries.” 

Here are two of their many projects. 

Aid Program for AIDS Orphans in Tororo, Uganda

Above: Patrick achieved top grades at school. He is now married and is the manager of a hotel in the capital city of Kampala Uganda.

Reforestation Projects of the Missionary Benedictines in Tanzania and Zambia

The Missionary Benedictines are able to plant tens of thousands of trees in Tanzania and Zambia every year .

One of the many beautiful works of art Amma found

at the St. Benedict Retreat Center