Prayer, Work &
Community Living

responding to the needs
of the Church & 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

Christmas blessings to all, especially those who are sad or lonely. Our prayers are with you.

Prioress Karen Rose, OSB

News

Registration Open for Girls, God and Good Times (3G) Camp 2025

Registration is open for this year's Girls, God and Good Times…

Sisters Bridgette Powers and Laura Suhr Featured in The Central Minnesota Catholic

Sisters Bridgette Powers and Laura Suhr were recently featured…

Upcoming Closures in the Archives

Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives will be closed to the public…

Rule of Benedict Scroll Featured in Star Tribune

Sister Karen Rose, prioress, was recently quoted in a Star Tribune…

Art and Heritage Place Hours for Holiday Season

The Art and Heritage Place will be closed from Saturday, December…

Happening at the Monastery

Life Awareness Retreat • Saturday, February 8, 2025

A life of joy and purpose begins with a simple question: How am I being called to serve others?

Join us for conversation, prayer and lunch on Saturday, February 8, 2025, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Saint Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minn., as we explore this question and others together in Christ’s company.

This day-long retreat program for single Catholic women and men, ages 18–30, interested in learning more about serving our Church and world as future priests, deacons, religious sisters and brothers, and lay ministers/missioners. We hope you’ll join us for a gathering that welcomes you and your questions—even your doubts—as we share stories, sharpen skills for listening and discernment, and experience the impact of our Catholic faith in service to others.

Life Awareness is hosted by the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict, the Benedictine Monks of Saint John’s Abbey, the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, the Crosier Fathers and Brothers, and Maryknoll Missioners.

Daily Meditation for January 15, 2025

What is the most significant challenge you have faced in the last two months? How did you negotiate the looming trouble it presented? Psychologists suggest that developing resilience is vital for coping with the difficulties and tragedies in life. Resilience, they tell us, is the capacity to bounce back after life’s defeats. Regaining a sense of equilibrium prepares us for the next inevitable challenge. We’ve seen some people who are backed against walls of poverty, homelessness and abuse demonstrate a resilience that is remarkable and seemingly impossible. How do they do it? Their hope for a new tomorrow produces endurance in the midst of today’s painful defeats. Love is the power that sustains their dreams for a brighter future. Faith in a God who promises grace for every time and every tribulation makes all things possible. When defeat looms on life’s horizon, resilience wins.

By Christian Morris, OSB