Have you ever purchased a new book eagerly and then set it aside, only to discover it much, much later and be delighted? I bought Everyday Sacred, Everywhere Beauty, Readings from Old Monk’s Journal by May Lou Kownacki, OSB compiled by Ann McCarthy, OSB and Linda Romey, OSB.
I bought the book through the ministry of Joan Chittister, OSB. Here is a description of the book from Catholic Shop Canada: “Mary Lou Kownacki was a Benedictine nun, poet, and renowned peace activist who co-founded Pax Christi. For years she served as Joan Chittister’s writing partner in the Erie, PA, religious community they lived in. But it was in her beloved blog, “Old Monk’s Journal,” that she delighted readers, sharing her most intimate insights and writings. There, for over 12 years until shortly before her death in 2023, Mary Lou gave readers a rare glimpse into monastic life from the inside. In hundreds of personal blog posts she chronicled current events, reflections on her decades as a nun, stories of friends, poetry recommendations and profound insights on life’s purpose and mortality. Follow along as Mary Lou navigates the personal questions, concerns, and joys of her final chapter as a Benedictine woman. Through her experiences of living simply, seeking God, and advocating tirelessly for peace and justice, these pages offer timeless wisdom on faith, community, activism, and what truly matters. For those seeking insight on a life well-lived, these pages offer Mary Lou Kownacki’s lasting spiritual legacy.”
When I recently took the book off my shelf I eventually came across this entry., pages 155-157. She had decided to go back and read through her journals from 1978 to present. I myself have done that on occasion though I have never gotten all the way through mine. She wanted to know if there was anything in there worth publishing or sending to the convent archives.
She wrote, “I’m not sure if journal keeping isn’t actually the ultimate ego trip. Like who really cares what you think about … well, just about anything, Mary Lou?” And then she went to the words of Victor Frankl who wrote that “there are two ways a person can go through life. One way is to approach our calendar with fear and sadness as each day we tear off another sheet, noting that it grows thinner with each passing day. Another is to tear off the daily sheet, jot down a few personal notes on the back, and file it with the previous years.”
He writes of journal keepers:
“What does it matter if they notice they are growing old? What reason do they have to say that they envy a young person – for possibilities, for the future that awaits them. “No thank you,” they will say. “Instead of possibilities, I have realities in my past, not only the reality of work done and of love loved, but of suffering suffered. These are the things of which I am most proud.”
Mary Lou says to come to Frankl’s realization is definitely to find a pearl of great price.
The quote about tearing off a calendar page made me think of Bob and me. We both have enjoyed a page-a-day calendar this year. We sometimes make cards from our favorite pages. I never thought about writing my thoughts on a page and putting them in a drawer. Might need to try that out!
Are you keeping a journal? The last couple of years most, but not all, of my journaling has been through this blog. But I also have a couple of long shelves of hand written journals. Have you ever reviewed your journals for kernels of wisdom?
Do you have a page-a-day calendar? Do you enjoy the pithy sayings or cartoons? Do you ever write your comments about the page on the back and store it in a drawer?
Everyday Sacred, Everywhere Beauty .. we too can learn to live this way. Adopt this outlook on life for the month of November. See what a difference it can make in your heart and mind!
