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Time to read your
Summer Mewsletter
from the Feline Benedictine Cloister
Summer, 2025
| | The Feline Cloister is Honoring Diversity and Inclusion! | | |
All Animals are Now Invited to Join as a
Friend of the Feline Cloister
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Br, Ricky, OSB-F
Novice Master
and Mewsletter Editor
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Hello, Jane.,
Welcome to your Summer Mewsletter
We're PURRING because you are here!
Exciting news! We have started a new category of membership -
Friends of the Feline Cloister
This category will include all non-felines. We want the Cloister to become more inclusive. We have our very first Friend - the canine Peanut! You'll meet her below.
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Since this is a summer issue we are focusing on travel, which many of us do in the summer. So...please read on, dear friend!
Mewsletter Contents
Here’s what you will find in the Mewsletter. Read it all or scroll down to the section you want to read.
Celebrate St. Benedict's Feast Day! - July 11
Meet two new Worldwide Novices
Learn About Friends of the Feline Cloister
Meet Peanut - The First Friend of the Feline Cloister
Mewsings on The Rule of St. Benedict - "The Touch of God in Travel"
Felines Unpack the Rule of St. Benedict - "Unpacking Benedictine Travel: RB 50 & 67"
Mewsings on The Rule of St. Benedict #2 - "Try an At-Home Vacation"
Novice Application
Visit the Feline Cloister
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Celebrate St. Benedict's Feast Day!
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Hello, Reader!
Resident Novice Michael James, Esq-F, here with a request for you. Well...it's really a suggestion, one which I hope you'll follow.
July 11 is St. Benedict's Feast Day. That's a purrfect time to take stock of St. Benedict in your life.
Here are some questions to help you not only reflect, but also to give thanks for our Holy Father Benedict.
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Resident Novice
Michael James, Esq-F
To read about Michael James' journey with St. Benedict, tap here.
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Questions to Ponder
How and when did you first meet St. Benedict and his Rule?
Name a few ideas and/or practices that drew you to be a Benedictine follower.
Ponder the influence of St. Benedict and his Rule on your life. Name a few ways that the Rule has helped you in your relationships with God, others, and yourself.
If you could have a one-on-one with St. Benedict right now, for what would you express gratitude?
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The compassionate Abbot Benedict
Malling Abbey, Kent, England
| | Meet Our New Worldwide Novices! | | |
Welcome Anarchat and Teddy Bear!
and their humans, too!
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"Hello, Novices and humans! I'm Anarchat. One reason that I joined the Feline Cloister is because my housemate, China, is already a Worldwide Novice. We can learn about the Rule of St. Benedict together."
In spite of my name being related to "anarchy," I am a very peaceful and loving cat.
To learn more about Novice Anarchat, tap here.
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"Hi from merry olde England. My name is Teddy Bear. My human is a Vicar in an English parish in Somerset.
Novices, do you want to surrpawt your human? I sure do. That's one reason I am a new Worldwide Novice in the Feline Cloister. I know that I need to learn patience, too."
To read about Teddy Bear, tap your paw here.
| | | Brother Ricky encourages you to tap on those links to learn about these wonderful new members of the Feline Cloister | | |
Extra! Extra! Read All About It!
The Cloister Initiates
Friends of the Feline Cloister
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Sr. Nikki here. Over the years as Porter of the Felie Cloister I have greeted non-felines at the Feline Cloister door. Dogs, gerbils, bunnies, ferrets, and other animals wanted to learn about The Rule of St. Benedict. Explaining that the Feline Cloister was just that – a Feline Cloister – brought downcast looks and sad faces. And that made me sad.
Time had come for us to become more diverse and inclusive. I suggested that we establish a way for animals who are not felines to be a part of the Cloister. Here it is...
Friends of the Feline Cloister
This is a mark of Benedictine hospitality that I was proud to introduce. And one that the Feline Cloister members were happy and proud to embrace.
In this issue you'll meet Peanut, a sweet and delightful canine, who is our very first Friend of the Feline Cloister.
To learn about Friends of the Feline Cloister, tap on the link below.
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Sr. Nikki, OSB-F,
Cloister Porter, can't wait to greet many
non-felines into the Benedictine community
| | Meet Our Very First Friend of the Feline Cloister | | |
Welcome Peanut Elizabeth Anne!
and her human, too
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"Woof! I'm SO happy to be a part of the Feline Cloister as the very first Friend of the Cloister. I love being in community with others, animal and human. Benedict is a super guide for living in community. I want to learn all about the Rule and become a faithful follower of St. Benedict. Woof!"
To learn more about Peanut, tap your paw, hoof, fin or claw here.
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To our Readers,
Do you know any non-felines (animal, reptile, bird, etc.), who would benefit from learning about The Rule of St. Benedict?
Send this email to them and encourage them to sign up!!
| Loki looks toward becoming a Friend of the Feline Cloister. | | | |
Mewsings from
the Feline Cloister
"The Touch of God
in Travel"
| | Jasper, resigned to travel but worried about the long security lines at the airport | | |
Hello. Amma Jane here. Are you traveling this summer? Many of us are eager to visit family and friends or venture to somewhere brand new.
Br. Ricky asked me to write this Mewsing about travel. He admitted that Feline Cloister members abhor travel and are loath to even write about it. I get that. Most, if not all feline travel, is to the vet.
In my article I offer an experience of God's grace on a trip I had to France. Then I give you some to time reflect on the touch of God in your own travels.
Please join me by clicking on the link below. Safe and joyful travels!
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Felines Unpack The Rule of St. Benedict
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Resident Novice
Sebastian Thomas,
Contributor
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"Unpacking Benedictine Travel"
RB 50 & 67
“Members sent on a journey will ask the prioress or abbot and the community to pray for them. "
Rule of St. Benedict, 67.1
| | Resident Novice Sebastian Thomas has finished his research and reflection on travel in The Rule of St. Benedict. He is ready to share with you the inspiration for spiritual travel found in the Rule. | |
Benedictine Travel at Home
Don't like to travel or unable to leave home?
Resident Novice Terri has some wonderful suggestions for an At-Home Vacation.
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Amma and I are taking some time off with other members of the Feline Cloister. Our next Mewsletter will be in the Fall.
All of us wish you a fun, restful, and joyful summer.
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See you in the Fall!
Your friend,
Br. Ricky, OSB-F
Mewsletter Editor and Novice Master
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*** An Important Note from Jane ***
This email was sent to all on my large list of contacts.
If you have never subscribed to
the quarterly Mewsletter and wish to do so,
tap here.
If you are on the current Mewsletter list, no action is needed.
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Interested in Joining the Feline Cloister
to Learn More About Benedict and his Rule?
Join as a Worldwide Novice (Felines)
To reach the application form, tap your paw here.
To learn about Worldwide Novices, jump here.
Join as a Friend of the Feline Cloister (All other Animals)
To reach the application form, tap here
To learn about the Friends of the Feline Cloister, jump here.
NOTE: If you don't have a feline or a dog, a gerble, a bird, etc., borrow one! Sign up the feline or other animal of a family member or friend. Or find one on the internet.
Instruction from Br. Ricky in the Feline Cloister is great for humans, too!
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