Caring for the Earth

"A Benedictine soul is a soul that takes care of things ... and 'treats all utensils and goods of the monastery like sacred vessels of the altar.'"- Sr. Joan Chittister

St. Benedict may have been the first ecologist back in the 6th century. Benedictines have long cared for the earth and preserved possessions for future generations. I remember in the novitiate we used to make culpa for breaking a dish or not lifting our habits when going down the stairs. Carelessness was not to be tolerated. Today we have translated this care into recycling, composting, and not using products that harm the environment. We try to use real dishes instead of disposables, vinegar instead of laundry softeners, and tap water instead of bottled water. We are growing more of our own vegetables and raising bees for honey. We also have invested in 150 solar panels and more gas-efficient cars to cut down on our dependence on fossil fuels.

Sometimes we need to remind one another because it is easier to throw things away instead of recycling them, but we believe it is worth the effort. We are keeping future generations in mind as we care for what we have been given.