Thirteen Benedictine women from the community in St. Joseph form Studium, which encourages and links creative talents in the arts, liturgy, spirituality, research and justice and ecology concerns. Representing a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, they work on the local, state, national and international levels as consultants, authors, presenters, spiritual directors and project collaborators. They share research and experience through informal exchange, lectures, conferences and publications. Studium provides a means for dialogue between monastics and members of contemporary society.

Studium invites scholars of all faiths, whose research is in keeping with its mission, to spend short or extended stays as scholars-in-residence in St. Joseph. Office facilities for scholars are provided alongside Studium members. Scholars are invited to participate with the monastic community in the daily common life, including liturgy and meals. They have the opportunity to share the fruit of their research with the broader community, both monastic and lay, during their period of residency.

The parting words of many persons who have been Scholars in Residence at Studium usually are "I will return." And some have returned for a second or third residence. Following are comments from four scholars:

Scholars’ responses to their Studium experience:

“The formal work element alone would be enough for me to say that Studium has been a great experience, but what I am taking away is so much more than

that, … What the Sisters [in the monastery] showed me was another side of America, where faith and spirituality are lived out as a natural part of life.  And that life is so vibrant:  these are strong women who are intelligent, questioning, witty, cultured and world-centered; this is no rural backwater; it is a place where what is happening in the rest of the world really matters and it fosters women who rise to the challenge of trying to change that world for the better.”

Karen Rose, Professor of Acute Care Nursing, Staffordshire University, Manchester, UK

“My [Studium] experience has been a happy one.  I had anticipated a month of concentrated academic work, and my expectations have been fulfilled – I have accomplished a lot.  I had not anticipated how rich I would find the opportunity to participate in the liturgical life of the monastery.  Nor had I anticipated enjoying the life of the [Saint Benedict’s] community so much.”

Alan Kreider, Mission Educator for the Mennonite Missions Network, Elkart, Indiana

“[Studium] has provided a unique opportunity for someone like myself from the other side of the world to pursue an academic interest … At the deeper level, being able to participate in the daily prayer and life of the larger community has meant much to me.  Quite frankly, I don’t know where else in the world I could get such a combination as I have found here.”

Elizabeth Murray, sgs, Good Samaritan Convent, Kardinya WA, Australia

“The rhythm between personal time and time shared with the Benedictine community has been fruitful in many, many ways.”

Mary Gurley, O.S.F., Franciscan Institute: Coordinator of Education Services, St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, New York

For more information about the Scholars-in-Residence program, contact

S. Dolores Super, OSB,
Studium
(320) 363-7181
dsuper@csbsju.edu