Posts

Hello From a Snowy Oasis! | FORWARD BOLDLY

February 21, 2025

In America's heartland, nestled among the snowy fields and farmlands of a little town named Gower, Missouri stands the Abbey of Our Lady of Ephesus, home to the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles.

I'm spending a couple days in retreat here with my daughter, and want to share with you the sights and sounds of my stay, and some of my thoughts as I pray among the traditional nuns who are faithfully serving out their vocation in silence and song.

Learn more about the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles at this link.

Watch FORWARD BOLDLY: Hello From a Snowy Oasis!

Archive: Articles & Videos

About Stella Maris Media

Illustration of Our Lady, Star of the Sea (Stella Maris)

Our vision

The name Stella Maris has its roots in a 5th-century translation by St. Jerome of the Hebrew name for Mary, Miryam. Originally written as Stilla Maris, it meant "Drop of the Sea." Through what likely stemmed from a transcription error, this evolved into Stella Maris, which means "Star of the Sea."

This title has been cherished in Catholic tradition, especially among seafarers before modern navigation, as they relied on the stars to guide them. Notably, the North Star, Polaris, was also known as Stella Maris.

Beyond just seafarers, Stella Maris serves as a beacon for all of life’s travelers, illuminating the darkness and offering hope as it cuts through the fog, guiding us toward the bright shores of eternity.

"Bringing hope to a world in need."

Real Estate For Life — pro-life home buying

Contact us

SaveWestBankChristians.com

INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST

Christine Niles has worked in broadcast media for more than a decade, first founding her Forward Boldly radio network in 2012 before working as a reporter, investigative journalist, senior producer and anchor at St. Michael's Media. In 2023, Christine founded Stella Maris Media, a nonprofit devoted to truth-telling and reporting with integrity.

View Christine’s filmography

Christine has been a member of Investigative Reporters and Editors, and the Society of Professional Journalists.

CHRISTINE NILES, FOUNDER

Christine Niles was born in Saigon, Vietnam. Her family left the country shortly after the collapse of Saigon to the Communists, spending several years in France before arriving to the United States.

Christine has degrees from Oxford University and Notre Dame Law School.

SUPPORT US

Return to Homepage