About Macrina

Photo © by Macrina Wiederkehr

St. Scholastica Monastery—Fort Smith, Arkansas

Therefore we intend to establish a school for the Lord’s service. In drawing up its regulations, we hope to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome. The good of all concerned, however, may prompt us to a little strictness in order to amend faults and to safeguard love. Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset. But as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love. Never swerving from God’s instructions, then, but faithfully observing his teaching in the monastery until death, we shall through patience share in the sufferings of Christ that we may deserve also to share in his kingdom.
- from the Rule of St. Benedict

About Macrina

Sister Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB, author and spiritual guide, is a Benedictine monastic of St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She is well known for her books: Seasons of Your Heart, A Tree Full of Angels, The Song of the Seed (Harper Collins Publishing Co.), Gold in Your Memories and Behold Your Life (Ave Maria Press).

In addition to writing, she travels throughout the U. S. and Canada as a retreat director. In her retreats seekers are guided through experiences of silence and contemplation, Lectio Divina and faith sharing. Many of her retreat themes come from her writings. She draws extensively from literature and poetry and enjoys creating rituals.

This is how she describes herself:

When Someone Asks Where I’m From And Who I Am This Is How I Would Like To Introduce Myself:

I come from the meadows, vineyards and forests of Altus, Arkansas. The country is a cherished memory of what I call first home. My childhood companions were animals, birds, insects, trees, plants, wild flowers and angels. I come from a family that was not without flaws. By today’s standards we may even qualify as a bit dysfunctional yet in spite of our blemishes I have always felt a unique and beautiful bond with my family.

I am a bit nomadic by nature and probably belong to the hunters. That’s my tribe! (as opposed to the gatherer who settle into one places and tend their crops and wait for the harvest). Belonging to the Hunter Tribe fits me quite well spiritually; for I am always on the move: searching, seeking, reaching beyond what I can see with my visible eye. My hunt is for spiritual food and deep meanings. My hunt is for God. Jesus, the Christ, is my guide. I feed on eternal questions. In spite of being a hunter I long for solitude and have even taken a vow of stability of life which may seem not to fit with a hunter’s heart. Yet even hunters are called into solitude and quiet as they wait for their prey. They learn to keep vigil. I choose to live joyfully with that reality. The Hound of Heaven and I are friends. Our friendship draws me into solitude even in the midst of the Great Hunt.

These Things I Have Learned:
-All work (even menial tasks) can become a joy rather than a burden.
-“Practice” is one of the most important words in the spiritual life.
-It is harmful to my soul to judge others.
-All moments of waiting can become moments of keeping vigil.
-The book of the earth is as holy as the book of scripture.
-I am happiest when I am able to surrender my own will.
-If I am not happy with what I have, I probably won’t be happier with more.
-Even if I don’t agree with someone I can learn much by listening to them.

Here Is One Way Of Describing Myself:
-I am creative, restless, joyful, spiritual, forgiving, loyal.
-I love morning, good books, good coffee, the earth, movies, lectio divina
-I feel intense, hopeful, lonely, overwhelmed, open-minded
-I need words, silence, God, friends, laughter, tears, questions
-I fear prejudice, violence, quarreling about religion, gossip-I would like to be a blessing, another Christ, a servant leader, a disciplined disciple

To contact Macrina regarding scheduling an event,
email her at
SevenSacredPauses@yahoo.com.