St. Benedictine monastery, Tucson

The Benedictine Sisters arrived in Tucson, Arizona from Missouri in August, 1935 (when the population here was only 39,000) and have been praying and worshiping for 75 years since then. Bishop Gerald Kicanas officiated over their celebratory Mass today at their chapel at 800 N. Country Club. Concelebrants were Rev. Pat Crino and Rev. Miguel Mariano. (see correction below in comments)

Bishop Kicanas spoke of St. Benedict‘s teachings saying that he believed that “God is present in every human being, that every person is a gift of God”. He also preached that “community is important, all can be a family/household in Christ.” The Bishop emphasized that Benedict taught that we need to “seek God above all”, as these Benedictine sisters have done for 75 years in Tucson.

St. Benedict, from wikpedia

What I found particularly moving in today’s Mass was hearing the sweet, lovely voices of the Sisters’ Choir, especially singing the communion song’s lyrics “worthy are the ones who believe to receive the goodness of God.”

“The Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration are a contemporary monastic community with a distinctive dedication to the Eucharist.” Their information card states that they “serve the Church through our contemplative prayer, and witness to God’s presence in our world through community life, hospitality and a ministry of the Word”…

The monastery was build in 1940 by local architect Roy Place, who is perhaps best known for his 1928 Pima County Courthouse downtown. This monastery has also been called “The Pink Rose of the Desert”.

The St. Benedictine chapel is open every day, all day. Learn more about them at www.tucsonmonastery.com, phone 520-325-6401, email: osbtucson@benedictinesisters.org. They have very nice items for sale in their gift shop, which is also open every day.

I wrote about them last November, 2009 when they hosted the Tucson Boys Choir concert there (click here).

The Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus will perform two concerts on Saturday, Nov. 21, with proceeds benefiting the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration’s Preserving Our Heritage campaign.

The popular youth chorus, directed by Dr. Julian Ackerley, will present the world premiere of “Prayers from the Ark” at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Benedictine Sister’s historic monastery chapel at 800 N. Country Club Rd. in Tucson.

St. Benedictine monastery

“Prayers from the Ark” was written by French Benedictine nun Carmen Bernos de Gasztold and it includes 27 poems written from the point of view of the animals on Noah’s Ark, each saying a simple prayer to God in its own voice.

In 1966, renowned conductor and former musical director of the Tucson Symphony Frederic Balazs received the book as a gift, and years later after hearing the Boys Chorus, he sat down to write “Prayers from the Ark” as a fund raiser for the Benedictine Sisters. It took two months to complete. The music Balazs wrote depicts the character of each animal portrayed in the poetry, “attempting to match the underlying warmth and wit. Interwoven are chanting, reminiscent of early church music.” Sounds like this premier will be popular with children who can imagine the Ark’s numerous animals.

Danish pianist Torsten Juul-Borre will join the chorus as a featured performer and will play selections of works by Chopin, Grieg and Liszt.

This promises to be an international evening of music inspired by poetry written by a French nun and sung by a chorus which is based on traditions of a European boy choir, accompanied by a Danish pianist.

“Proceeds from the premiere concert will benefit the Benedictine Sisters’ heritage fund, which is raising $1 million for repair and restoration of their 70-year-old monastery” (built by Tucson architect Roy Place.) They have currently raised more than $350,000 with the help of friends, community organizations and benefactors. Last year I toured this monastery and was duly impressed with the architecture and courtyards, well worth preserving.

Tickets are $50 and available by calling (520) 325-6401. Contact person is Prioress Sister Ramona Varela at varela@bspa.us.