Transfiguration Monastery · Sister Martina Revak, O.S.B.

Sr. Martina
When I was a child, I recall reading a poem which stated in part: "...Thursday's child has far to go..." Yes, I was born on a Thursday!

A quote from Mechtild of Magdeburg, which came to my attention during a time of personal discernment, seems to fit the pattern of my life: "Whoever wishes to follow God in honest works must never stand still but must always travel on..."

I am Sister Martina Revak, and I was born in Minersville, Schuylkill County, a mining/industrial community in the Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania. My parents, sister, brother and I enjoyed the blessings of a loving, joyful family life with close ties to families, friends and the Church.

Upon completion of high school and business college, I began my career as a legal secretary. During this ten year period, my horizons expanded with involvement in business, professional and social organizations. My life was full and energizing.

An interruption invaded my life now and then. Was that God's voice I heard calling me? Quiet time at Church, at home, and seeking guidance led me to make vocational inquiries.

In June of 1962, I attended a vocation workshop at Saint Joseph Monastery in Saint Marys, Pennsylvania. At this time my journey both ended and began! And so, I travelled on...August 26, 1962, my entrance day. I would become a Benedictine Sister. And the years passed rapidly - postulancy, novitiate, scholasticate and perpetual profession. These years were spent living, loving and learning more about the monastic life, the centrality of daily Eucharist, community and private prayer, community life and serving Christ in others.

Continuing my monastic journey, I served for fourteen wonderful years at Elk County Christian High School in Saint Marys, Pennyslvania. It was during these years that my "travels" heightened. I served my Sisters at Saint Joseph Monastery in numerous capacities and in the Federation of Saint Scholastica.

My journey continued full circle when, having completed eight years as Prioress of Saint Joseph Monastery, I travelled to Emmaus, Pennsylvania, to become part of our new mission, Transfiguration Monastery, now a Dependent Monastery.

What can I say of my Benedictine travels thus far? I have experienced the monastic life with its joys, peace, times when my monastic heart was heavy, loving community, laughter, and the beauty of the Liturgy of the Hours, daily Eucharist and Lectio Divina. And so much more! Its a great life, the vowed life! For the past thirteen years I have been Pastoral Associate at Saint Francis of Assisi Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania. My travels continue as I perform various duties, which include visits to the homebound. I keep the words of Mechtild in mind, as well as the words of Saint Benedict in the Prologue: "What is not possible to us by nature, let us ask the Holy One to supply by the help of his grace...Then - while there is still time, while we are in this body and have time to accomplish all these things by the light of life - we must run and do now what will profit us forever..."

I invite you who are seeking God to Come and See!

Benedictine Sisters
Transfiguration Monastery
526 Fairview Street
Emmaus, Pennsylvania 18049-3837
(610) 965 · 6818

sisters@emmausosb.org