Sister’s love of gardens nurtures her life of faith
Even in the tough times of life, Benedictine Sister Angela Jarboe finds touches of faith, hope and promise in caring for flowers. (Photos by John Shaughnessy) Click for a larger version.
By John Shaughnessy
When she leads garden retreats, Benedictine Sister Angela Jarboe asks people to share their favorite garden story and how it connects to their faith experience.
She also shares her own story and perspective.
“One of my favorite garden stories happened right here at this monastery,” Sister Angela says as she gives a tour of the colorful gardens at Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove.
“Sister Mary Sue Freiberger and I were watering her garden one summer. As the sun was going down, we were dirty and sweating. I looked over to the building, and there was this clump of tall, yellow flowers that was not blooming when we first went in the garden. They were so beautiful. We were both stunned. ‘What are these? What happened?’ We went to take a look, and I immediately recognized them as a clump of wild evening primroses.
“I figured they had to bloom between 7:30 and 9 at night. So, the next night, I gathered a group of sisters to see them. At 7:30, we had a whole bunch of sisters lined up by the flowers. All of a sudden, the first one popped open, and the next one. Then flowers were blooming all over the place.”
A look of wonder glows from Sister Angela’s face as she remembers that moment.
“It was so amazing—the discovery of it. We realized that every day, new flowers would bloom. And the blooms would die the same day. Our community was in retreat at the time. It made a nice meditation on creation.”
That moment resonates from a faith perspective for Sister Angela.
“In your life, you have to learn to appreciate those God moments,” she says. “I’ve learned many things from flowers—patience, nurturing skills, compassion, humility, and reverence for God and who Jesus is, his death and resurrection. Every time I see a flower die and come back the next year, it reminds me of the Paschal Mystery.”
The moment also reminds her of the fragility of life.
“I take no living thing for granted,” says Sister Angela, who has been a Benedictine for 44 years. “Everything God creates is unique. Everything has a life cycle. In our lives, we have to learn that we are only temporary. While we are living, we need to be images of God. When other people see us, they should be able to see God.”
Sister Angela’s love for nature began as a child when she joined her father on hiking and canoeing adventures.
She shares her love for flowers with many of the sisters who plant and nurture the gardens at Our Lady of Grace Monastery, including Benedictine Sisters Cathy Anne LaPore, Norma Gettelfinger and Susan Elizabeth Rakers.
Sister Angela also shares the belief that while she nurtures the flowers, they also sustain her, especially in the tough times of life.
“Everything in nature gives me hope,” she says. “I went through a period of crisis in my life. Hiking into the woods to see the wildflowers got me out of it. When you’re in hard times, watching something grow gives you hope. Christians should be hopeful people. Hope gives life.” †
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