21st-century lacemakers learn 17th-century art

The 17th-century art of bobbin lacemaking is in no danger of being lost to history, if 24 women gathered at the Manna House of Prayer in Concordia this week have anything to say about it.

The Sisters of St. Joseph, gathered from congregations across the country, are learning — or perfecting — the meticulous threadwork to create delicate bookmarks, angels and other decorations. Sisters Ramona Medina and Janet Lander, both members of the Concordia congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, are leading the weeklong “Weaving Threads of Love” retreat to give participants the opportunity to experience and integrate the spirituality and practice of making bobbin lace in a contemplative setting.

The Sisters of St. Joseph was founded in Le Puy, France, in 1650, and members of that early congregation made bobbin lace as a way to support themselves and their works.

Today, Sisters Ramona and Janet lead the retreats at Manna House to share the craft as a contemplative practice that “creates in us heart-space where the connections with God and the dear neighbor may be woven in prayer, as surely as the design of threads and spaces evolves on the lace pillow before our eyes.”

The workshop ends at noon Saturday.