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April 8, 2022BY CHRISTINA GALEONE | CFP CORRESPONDENT
When the nuns at St. Scholastica Priory sought gifts and cards for loved ones, they were frequently disappointed by a vast selection of secular items that weren’t inspiring. At the same time, they were well aware of the bounty of God-given gifts within their community. They were also aware of their history.
“As monks and nuns, we have a long tradition of work and prayer – dating back to the desert fathers and mothers who weaved baskets and mats, as they recited the psalms, and then sold them at the local market for their subsistence,” said Sister Maria Isabel Gomez,OSB.
“This is a tradition we inherited,” said Sister Maria Isabel, a member of the community who professed her solemn vows at the priory nearly two years ago.
This spring, as Easter, first Communion celebrations and student graduations are on the horizon, the nuns hope people will visit their gift shop. Found at the monastery, located at 271 North Main St. in Petersham, and online at stscholasticaprioryshop.com, the gift shop opened last year. Its merchandise – which is the same online as in the shop – consists of inspiring items and cards. And all items are either hand-made, hand-painted or designed by the nuns at the priory.
The priory is a community of Catholic Benedictine contemplative nuns. On its website, it states, “Our lives are dedicated to seeking union with God through the monastic life of charity lived in community. The Gospel and the Rule of St. Benedict are our guide, and the praise of God is central to our day: the Mass and the Divine Office are sung using Gregorian Chant, and are celebrated with our twin community of monks, St. Mary’s Monastery.”
The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. for in-person shopping and 24 hours a day online. The products sold include hand-knit scarves, hand-crafted wooden bowls, boxes and wine bottle stoppers, Benedictine bracelets and art cards. There’s also a variety of unique hand-crafted rosaries, including a few different kinds of St. Michael the Archangel rosaries, a St. Benedict rosary, an Ave Maria floral rosary and a rosary that can be customized with names of family members.
“We pray as we do our craft – woodwork, knitting, rosary making, photography, weaving, painting etc.,” Sister Maria Isabel said. She added, “We want to share the talent – God’s beauty – with others.”
Sister Maria Isabel said that she and the other sisters had wanted to open a shop for years, but time was always a concern.
“Our main work here is the praying of the Divine Office seven times a day,” she revealed. “This is always the priority. Now, we have more members, and God made everything work, so that the launching was possible while still maintaining a balanced prayer life.”
Now, the dream is a reality, and the shop’s first spring season has arrived. When asked, Sister Maria Isabel said that she and her fellow sisters have two hopes for the priory’s venture into retail. “Hope for the shop, well, first, that it grows and helps in our support; but more so, to provide others with cards and gifts that inspire the mind and heart to a love of our creator, God,” she said. “We desire, through our crafts, to share our prayer, our love of God to others.”
