There are women in various stages of formation at Saint Benedict’s Monastery at this time:
Karen Rose comes to Saint Benedict’s monastery from Manchester, England. Her studies include a BA/MA in philosophy and theology from Oxford University and a PhD in Medical Social Anthropology/Health Care from Keele University/Manchester University. Karen’s work included professor of nursing at Staffordshire University, senior lecturer at University of Central Lanacs, post-doctorate researcher, Manchester University, clinical nurse specialist, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, nursing fellow, University of Manchester, staff nurse, Leighton Hospital, Crewe and auxiliary nurse, St. Christopher’s Hospice, London. Karen came to know the Sisters of Saint Benedict here in St. Joseph, MN through her experience in the Studium program of the monastery. When asked what interested Karen in exploring religious life she states: “I realized early in life that ‘things’ were not the answer, and have always understood why people might enter religious life. I resisted it for myself for many years; the real influence was my clearer experience and realization that is was not about what I wanted but what God wanted for me.”
Sister Julianne Gilbert is from Storm Lake, Iowa, and was involved in a number of activities at St. Mary’s Church. For the past 14 years, she was an administrator at Faith Hope and Charity, a residential center for children with disabilities in Storm Lake. She earned a B.S. degree from the University of South Dakota in education and she formerly taught in Catholic and public schools. Gilbert says, “I chose to discern religious life because I felt the call to give more of my time, effort and prayer to God and to the people of God. I also want to further deepen my personal spiritual life, and Saint Benedict’s has been the perfect place to do so.”
Our primary work is the search for God in prayer, in community living, and in service to others. Our daily prayer together includes Liturgy of the Hours and Eucharist (Worship Schedule). Communal prayer and individual time for reflective reading of Scripture (lectio divina) are elements at the heart of Benedictine living. The work of service, according to the Rule of Benedict, includes both manual and intellectual dimensions; each member provides service according to her gifts, education, and professional experiences. All of this occurs in the context of building relationships and living in community. The Sisters generally live in small groups, either at the monastery or in homes, where they can share meals, prayer and recreation with other Sisters. Retreats, days of reflection, lectures, concerts, and other cultural offerings provide ample opportunities for continued personal growth.
Women, ages 18-45, who are thinking about religious life are encouraged to take time away from their hectic schedules and spend time at our monastery to become acquainted with Benedictine life and spirituality. The following options are available:
- Scheduled weekend retreats
- Scheduled weeklong experience
- Arrange for an extended visit from a few weeks to a year
- Retreats and programs at the Spirituality Center may also be of interest, call 320-363-7112
While visiting the monastery, women live at the Welcoming House with five Sisters. They participate in the rhythm of prayer, work, study, leisure and community activities at the monastery. The proximity of the monastery to the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University provides easy access to libraries as well as cultural and artistic events. For further information, contact mholicky@csbsju.edu.
Sister Trish Dick Makes Perpetual Profession
The Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict are pleased to announce that Trish Dick, OSB, made her perpetual monastic profession to Benedictine monastic life on Saturday, July 11, 2009. The ceremony took place during the Eucharist at Sacred Heart Chapel at Saint Benedict’s Monastery, and was followed by a public reception.
Sister Trish was born in Storm Lake, Iowa, the fifth of Mary C. Norris and the late Linus Dick’s nine children. She grew up in the Catholic faith and later found fulfillment in the evangelical church. In her professional life, Trish was an evangelical minister for 15 years. During her ministry, she felt the urge to return to the Catholic Church and officially did so in 2004. Trish learned of the Benedictine monastic community from her sister and brother who attended the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. She entered the community in 2004 and made her first monastic profession in 2006.
Currently, S. Trish is the assistant director of CORAD, the vocations program at Saint John’s University supported by a Lilly Foundation grant. She also does retreat work with students, including dog sledding retreats in Ely, Minn., the past three years. She said, “A large part of my ministry is exposing students to the rhythm of monastic work and prayer and infusing their lives with the Benedictine values. In my work, I give them access to monasticism they wouldn’t otherwise get through their college experience.” In June, S. Trish was part of the team that led a Benedictine pilgrimage to Italy with faculty and staff from Saint John’s University.
S. Trish finds living in community the most rewarding part of her Benedictine life, especially praying the Liturgy of the Hours daily. “The care and support of the community has been nourishing,” she said, and “the charity and hospitality of the Sisters is amazing. The community is at its best in celebrations [like the profession], when the presence of God and their love of God is so evident.” She also said she’s benefited greatly from the wisdom of the community. “It’s inspiring to follow in the path of women who have done so much. They have so much wisdom, are truly a treasure—and they don’t know it.”
During the liturgy of perpetual monastic profession, following the Rule of Benedict, “the candidate … comes before the whole community . . . and promises stability, fidelity to the monastic way of life and obedience. She states her promise in a document” which she has handwritten herself, reads aloud and signs with the prioress at the altar. She is given a ring as a sign of her permanent commitment, and “from this very day she is counted as one of the community” (Rule of Benedict, ch. 58). Below are two excerpts from the profession ceremony.
If you have other questions, contact
S. Mary Catherine Holicky,
Vocation Director,
at mholicky@csbsju.edu or 320-363-7180.