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

Please pray for Pope Leo and the many people throughout the world who have received a cancer diagnosis. May the Holy Spirit strengthen and support them and all those involved in their treatment and care.

Prioress Karen Rose, OSB

News

Funeral Arrangements for Sister Marius Hiltner

Sister Marius Hiltner entered eternal life on October 2, 2026.…

Sisters Nancy Bauer and Tamra Thomas Attend CIB Symposium

In September, Sisters Nancy Bauer and Tamra Thomas attended the…

Happening at the Monastery

Pilgrimage for All Saints and All Souls Day • Monday, November 2, 2026

Beginning at the Spirituality Center, join us on a sacred journey as we reflect on the “saints” in our lives to celebrate All Saints and All Souls Days. The pilgrimage will take us around sacred spaces on the campus of Saint Benedict’s Monastery. You are welcome to join us for Midday Prayer and a noon meal following the pilgrimage.

Free will offering accepted. Optional noon meal is $12.

Date: Monday, November 2, 9:30-11:15 a.m.

Facilitators: Bridgette Powers, OSB, and Hélène Mercier, OSB

Limit: Minimum of 5 participants

Registration closes Wednesday, October 28.

Monastic Cemetery

Daily Meditation for October 16, 2026

In this month of October, we (indeed the whole world) have celebrated the 800th anniversary of the birth of St. Francis of Assisi. Taking note of the humble friar with his distinctive tonsure and brown habit, he is among the best know and loved saints in all of time…judging from the frequency of his presence in birdbaths and in gardens and on lawns and front yards! It is his humanity which endears him to us for, we too, might be afraid of disfigured leprous bodies and strange beggars who live on the margins. But, once convinced he was worthy to live the gospel radically, he dared to throw his father’s merchandize to the poor in the streets and strip himself of privileged and be enchanted with Lady poverty. The Lord called Francis to “rebuild my church” and that would never be done by preaching alone!  We are all called to build and rebuild the church in our day by the lives we live!

By Judy Kramer, OSB