The start of this Lenten season presented a rare occurrence: on February 18th, Ash Wednesday was observed, and Ramadan began at sunset the day before. The start of these periods of prayer and fasting only intersect once every few decades.
To recognize this overlap, the Benedictine Sisters of Erie decided to send baskets of dates, figs, nuts, and raisins to four local Muslim organizations. These items were chosen because dates are the first food Muslim individuals eat to break their fast at Iftar. The conversation about this gesture began when Fr. William Skudlarek, OSB, head of the board of Monastic Interreligious Dialogue, suggested reaching out to local Islamic communities with gifts as a sign of prayerful solidarity.
Sisters Diane Rabe and Kath Horan gathered the aforementioned items, and Sister Rosanne Loneck arranged the beautiful baskets. The baskets also included signed cards from various sisters that included prayers for a blessed Ramadan and meaningful fasting.
Sister Jacqueline delivered the baskets the day before Ash Wednesday and the commencement of Ramadan to the Penn State Behrend Muslim Student Association, the Afghan Cultural Center, the Al Makarim Islamic Foundation, and the Erie Masjid.
She reflected on this upcoming season, stating, "I hope that as people of faith, our communities can all experience a season of reflection and spiritual growth, earnestly seeking God’s will and placing the needs of other people, the common good, ahead of our own preferences and desires. And I hope that our Muslim neighbors in Erie, many of whom are new Americans who may be feeling threatened in our current political climate, will feel that they have friends and sisters at Mount Saint Benedict Monastery."
