Victory Noll

Earlier this month, I participated in a retreat at Victory Noll in Huntington, Indiana, at the mother house for Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters, a religious community dedicated to serving the poor. Given my travels in May, I felt a connection when I learned that this community began in New Mexico before receiving this land to build on. Above is a wing of the building, seen from the labyrinth, showing some of the southwest influence on their building style.

I enjoyed the many fine old trees on the property. I was curious about what looked to be a vine growing on one -- a more careful look revealed a snake, twelve or fifteen feet up! How does a creature without arms and legs manage to get up so high? And does it go up just on the off-chance it will find a bird's nest?

I was also curious about the little metal tags I saw on numerous trees. This was a project of one of the sisters years ago, dedicating a tree to each sister in the order. What a lovely way of honoring her sisters!