CBB Interview with Sister Elisabeth Wagner

Last updated on: September 12, 2016 at 1:00 am by Pete Socks

CBB Interview with Sister Elisabeth Wagner 2016-09-10T12:02:42-05:00 Pete Socks

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

MICHELE: Reading Seasons in My Garden has truly been a spiritual adventure for me-poetry and prayer in every sentence…. as well as leading me to more adventures in my garden- I so enjoyed learning about David Austin roses, that I hope to add some to my garden! You mentioned in your book that you loved nature since childhood… what led you from that ease of enjoying nature “as is” to “formalize” (if you will) that love into the creation of your own gardens… so much so, that you are even willing to battle nature to have the plants that you desire to have in your gardens, even though they may not naturally thrive without a great deal of attention? (I am thinking of the roses and the Japanese beetles, in particular.)

SISTER ELISABETH WAGNER: “Thank you so much for your lovely comments! First, let me say that I don’t try to battle ‘nature’ in the garden, but to work with it, wherever possible. Japanese Beetles are not part of ‘nature’ but an introduced invasive species of sorts, at least here in Maine. And the roses do need attention, but not really that much. I now have a different English rose growing up against the building, and all I do is fertilize it twice a year with an organic mix that also supplies trace elements, and also water it as needed. I use the David Austin mix, if you’re interested.

“Regarding your question, I think that while I very much love nature ‘as is’, I also love nature as found in a garden. Plus I love fresh vegetables, and all kinds of flowers, which includes many kinds not necessarily found in the wild. . . hence, the need for gardens! Plus I love the physical activity it gives, and the pure pleasure of working outdoors in the midst of God’s creation.”

MICHELE: After living in a hermitage for so many years, what is something that you have grown to love so much in this environment (physical or spiritual) that you would hope to never have to live without?

SISTER ELISABETH WAGNER: “Two things: spiritually, the solitude; and physically, the manual labor.”

MICHELE: Would you mind sharing what you miss most (or believe that you miss most) from your life prior to living at the hermitage?

SISTER ELISABETH WAGNER: “That was a long time ago, and I can’t even remember! However, since the Hermitage has become a small community, I can tell you that I miss having my evenings completely alone.”

MICHELE: You mentioned a being at t point when you will need to reduce the number of gardens because the work/labor of love has grown too big. What do you see yourself filling that time with, once the gardens are smaller and more easily managed? Is there hope for another book?

SISTER ELISABETH WAGNER: “Well, since then we have built our permanent chapel, and we now have a postulant, so I’ve been busy with construction details and with formation classes. But, yes, I am working on another book—slowly!”

MICHELE: Time for our signature ending question. This is a blog about books. What books are currently on your bookshelf to read?

SISTER ELISABETH WAGNER: “For lectio, I am slowly working my way through a very fine and wonderful book called Psalm-Shaped Prayerfulness by Margaret Daly-Denton and reading it in conjunction with the Grail Psalter and the NRSV.

“I’ve recently finished another (but very different) wonderful book, All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr. Such wonderful writing! I read it very slowly, savoring it, and didn’t want to see it end. I only wish I could write that well!

“I’m also reading Beginning to Read the Fathers by Boniface Ramsey. I’ve actually read from the fathers (and mothers) for decades, but this still is a great overview. And I’m reading a book called The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk, on the role of body and affect in trauma. Also rereading Joan Chittister’s Wisdom Distilled from the Daily and Columba Stewart’s *Prayer and Community—*these are formation-prep reading.

“For light reading I’ve picked up an old copy of Garrison Keilor’s *We are Still Married (*hilarious and so evocative of the late ‘80s and ‘90s), and James Runcie’s Grantchester mysteries.

“Still to read (I hope!): Vol 1 (in translation) of Adalbert de Vogue’s Critical Study of the Rule of Benedict; Denys Turner’s The Darkness of God: Negativity in Christian Mysticism; and—if I ever get to it—Black Lamb and Grey Falcon: A Journey through Yugoslavia, a classic history from Rebecca West.

“I should add that there are always too many books . . .”

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Interview

Ave Maria Press

Seasons in My Garden

Sister Elisabeth Wagner

Previous Post

September 11, 2016

The Trinity in the hymn of the Seraphim; Angels: Day 052

Next Post

September 12, 2016 The Seraphim surround Christ in the flesh; Angels: Day 053

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category A Year with Mary A Year with the Angels A Year with the Church Fathers Book News Children's Review Featured CD Giveaway Guest Post Interview Linked Review Media review Movie Review New Releases Off the Shelf Review speakers Teen Review The Clergy Speaks The Laity Speaks The Open Book Podcast Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz