by Jonathan Wamback, current working guest
For as long as I can remember, I have had a paralyzing fear of heights. It got to the point that even when I stepped...
by Ani Marie Hurcum, a former working guest
The clearest memory I have of arriving at Madonna House nearly a year ago, is of stepping off the bus in front of the picnic...
by Michele Schaeken
During the Advent season at Madonna House Combermere, behind St. Mary’s building, you can see a couple slowly travelling through a field. The man, wearing...
by Irma Zaleski
A number of years ago, I spent two weeks at Madonna House. Although I had already known the community for a few years and thought...
by Michael Perrin, former working guest
I can’t really say for sure what time it was. Or if I was having a bad hair day. It was just an ordinary day—with...
by Jessica Pierlot, former MH working guest
What is Madonna House to me? The other day, while at a young adult adoration hour, I was surprised to see a fellow-guest from my...
by Hilde Muller
At last, let go of that bird: Perfection— that fabulous, mythical creature caged in your heart all these years— the one you work so hard to control. Take her...
by Tyler Head, former working guest in Combermere and friend of MH Missouri
One morning in late December, as I was praying silently before Mass, a man I will call “Jerome” entered the church and came up to...
by Hilde Muller
As a child I dreaded Lent. What was there to love? Ashes on one’s forehead on Ash Wednesday, weeks and weeks of fish sticks on...
by Fred, the Candle-Maker
Candles are often given as tokens of warmth and friendship. Often it is the giver who receives the greater gift, for often he or she is...