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

We are now in the season of Eastertide, the period lasting from Easter to Pentecost which we’ll celebrate on May 24. It’s a time to spend reflecting on the mystery of the Resurrection and its promise that death is not the end. May these weeks bless you with glimpses of the light that flows from our Risen Savior and reassure you that in the midst of conflict, violence and darkness, there is hope.

With trust in Christ’s promises,

Prioress Karen Rose, OSB

News

Temporary Closing Times for Gathering Place Effective Sunday, May 17

While the College of Saint Benedict's academic year is out of…

Sister Laura Suhr to Present Vocation Story at Knights of Columbus Event • Thursday, June 4

Presented by the Knights of Columbus Council #5548, Sister Laura…

Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) Publishes Statement Supporting Pope Leo

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

Volunteer Drivers Needed at Saint Scholastica Convent

Do you have a generous heart, vehicle and desire to spend quality…

Happening at the Monastery

Grounding Our Emotions During Tough Times • June 6, 2026

How can we stay grounded in our experience, more fully realizing that God accompanies us during tough times? We will explore the Benedictine practice of stability by learning to practice self-compassion, knowing that “Where I am is where God is for me.”

Date: Saturday, June 6, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Facilitator: Becky Van Ness, OblSB

Limit: Minimum of 5, maximum of 10 participants

Fee: $60 (includes noon meal)

Daily Meditation for May 15, 2026

It’s surprising how memory works, how something seemingly insignificant can stick with us, allowing us decades later to return to a particular place and time and remember it as if it were yesterday. Upon reflection, we might find a lesson we need here and now. We can guess this happened to Jesus too. The ordinary round of his childhood days would have significantly shaped his preaching and teaching. In this month of Mary, imagine all the things Jesus might have learned from his mother. Think of him listening to her singing the “Magnificat” (Luke 1:46-55). Think of the questions he might have asked: “Mom, who are the lowly? How will God lift them up? How will God scatter the proud in their conceit?” It is no wonder that in his ministry, Jesus was especially attentive to the poor and lowly. He knew there was no better way to “scatter the proud in their conceit” than to “scatter the seed” of his Word far and wide. Because he knew that a seemingly insignificant word or phrase of Scripture has the power to make us suddenly remember as God remembers—and in every time and place, to love as God loves.

By Mary Stommes, OblSB