A Nun's Diary

It is amazing how very little events or happenings can play on your heart for hours, days and weeks, and for some reason do not want to leave one’s heart. As I write my journal today I am overwhelmed by the emotion still lingering in my heart resulting from one short moment during a video we watched of a very special concert given in the Pope Paul VI audience chamber at the Vatican on the occasion of the 80^th birthday of Pope Benedict. At the end of the program, the Pope came up to the stage of that huge audience chamber and spoke to the audience. He spoke of his love for music and especially for “my beloved Mozart.” Amidst all the “thank yous” he offered the Pope finally thanked those closest to his heart, “….and especially those who taught me to love music.” At that moment he became a little overcome and emotional and it was obvious to all. Of course, for those of us who have just read, “My Brother, the Pope” by his brother George Ratzinger, knew of whom he was speaking, his parents, his sister and his only brother. It was a touching moment, a glimpse into the heart of the man who carries so much in his heart in silence and, I believe, in certain loneliness. Why does it keep playing in my heart? Because such tenderness is found in all our hearts, if only we allow it to be born and welcome the pain it can cause in our lives. Memories of our families will always continue to touch the very fabric of our lives and over the years on our monastic journey, we learn to embrace them and make them a part of the very fabric of our lives. Jesus, most of us have loving and happy memories but I am aware of those who do not have the same and I ask you to love them deeply to fill the empty void they may feel at times.