The Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict are the largest Benedictine community in the United States. At its peak in the 1950s, the monastery had 1278 fully professed Sisters, who were ministering in over 83 schools and health care organizations, as well as numerous other ministries. Saint Benedict’s Monastery sent Sisters out to establish Benedictine foundations in Eau Claire, Wisconsin; St. Paul, Minnesota; Lacey, Washington; Bismarck, North Dakota; Duluth, Minnesota; Sapporo, Japan; Taipei, Taiwan; Nassau, Bahamas; Ogden, Utah; and Humacao, Puerto Rico.
Throughout their history, the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict have cultivated the integration of art, intellectual development and spirituality. This philosophy is evident from their earliest days in Minnesota, despite harsh pioneer conditions and demands for service among the European immigrants.
Our Mission
We, the Sisters of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn., are a community of 275 women who seek God in our daily lives according to the Gospel and the Rule of Benedict. Through our ministry of prayer, work and community, we listen and respond to the needs of the church and the world. Daily prayer, both communal and individual, is at the heart of our Benedictine life. We celebrate the liturgy of the Eucharist daily. We nourish the contemplative dimension of our lives by holy reading (lectio divina) and meditation. This is our way of life; it is our ministry.
As we look to the future, we are committed to the focus of enhancing the spiritual lives of others, particularly women.
Our Core Benedictine Values
Awareness of God
RB 19:1; 72-11
We acknowledge the primacy of God and seek to follow Christ in the ordinary events of every day.
Community
RB 72
We are committed to respecting each individual, forming stable relationships, receiving counsel from the community and affirming the common good.
Prayer and Work
RB 19:6-7; 48:8
We are dedicated to a daily rhythm of prayer and work, as we praise God and witness to the dignity of work in God’s creation.
Listening
RB Prol 1
We strive to listen with the ear of our hearts, to hear the voices of all creation with compassion and reverence.
Hospitality
RB 53:1
We seek to respect all persons and to welcome them with warmth, acceptance and joy.
Stewardship
RB 31; 10-11
We value simplicity and frugality as we reverence all of creation and care for the goods of the earth.
Peace
RB Prol 17
We are committed to peace and to practicing justice locally and globally.