Prayer, Work &
Community Living

Responding to the needs
of the Church and the world

Our Mission

We, the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn., are a monastic community of 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 living, we listen and respond to the needs of the Church and the world.

Prayer Requests

As a Benedictine monastic community, a significant part of our mission is prayer. Is there someone or something you would like us to pray for? You’re invited to share your special intentions with us. You will be remembered during our daily prayer of Liturgy of the Hours, and your request will be shared on a community bulletin board seen by the sisters every day.

It is our privilege to pray for you. God bless you!

Message From the Prioress

January 19 is MLK Day. In this first month of 2026, let’s pray on Martin Luther King Jr.’s words and resolve to be signs of light and love in the world.

If you would like to contribute to helping people in need during these tumultuous times, you can donate on our website. Mark your gift for Social Justice Ministries.

Prioress Karen Rose, OSB

News

Lenten Spiritual Opportunities

Nourish your soul this Lent by participating in a program or…

Ash Wednesday and Lenten Sunday Liturgies 2026

The public is invited to join the monastic community in celebrating…

Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) Issues Statement on Crisis in Venezuela

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), of which…

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity • January 18-25, 2026

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated annually…

Happening at the Monastery

A Virtual Conversation: How Does a Black Pastor Today Read Dr. King’s Letter From Birmingham Jail? • Monday, January 19

In partnership with seven other religious institutions, Saint Benedict’s Monastery invites you to join a virtual conversation in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day from 7-8:30 p.m. on Monday, January 19. This discussion will explore the question: How does a Black pastor today read Dr. King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”?

The conversation will feature a dialogue between Pastor James E. Alberts II, senior pastor of Higher Ground Church of God in Christ, president of ISAIAH, and a member of the Collegeville Institute Board, and Nora G. Hertel, founder of Project Optimist and former St. Cloud Times journalist.

Daily Meditation for January 16, 2026

Christmas is over. The nights are long. We are in the liturgical season of Ordinary Time and that can feel like a rather dreary “between time.” Yet, there is a certain quietness and peace if we take time to notice, and a promise for the future. The liturgical color in church is green, and green is a sign of hope. Hope is especially important right now. The Jubilee Year of Hope has officially ended, but that does not mean that hope is off the radar. The Year of Hope primed us to look at what hope means and how we can be signs of hope. Now comes the daily work of becoming those signs of hope. As you travel through these early days of 2026, enjoy the quiet of the “between time,” keep hoping, and dream your part in making a better world.

By Karen Rose, OSB