Groundbreaking Discernment

“Suddenly.”
“Out of the blue.”
“Unexpectedly.”

These are words that are not usually applied to Benedictines who, by virtue of their way of life, reflect and deliberate. They also are not words that would be applied to our decision to build a new monastery.

Our experience as a community reflects the experience of religious communities in the United States. We were larger than most, with more than 1,000 sisters in the 1960s. Today our membership is about 120 sisters located between Saint Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, Minn., and Saint Scholastica Convent, our retirement facility, in St. Cloud, Minn. The continuous change in membership resulted in adjustments and changes to ministry, to community life, to health care, to buildings. We recognized this reality, and it prompted considerable study and reflection.

As early as 1973, we conducted a Priority Study coordinated by Sister Nora Luetmer to look at ministry. Over the next 50 years, we had internal study groups, professional groups and many meetings to explore implications of membership change and the future. The official decision to build a new monastery was made in June 2022.

This was the first of many decisions. Where would we locate the new monastery? We had always taken good care of our buildings so we could easily move together and live in one building at the
present monastery. A drawback to this option was that in selling the other buildings, we would not have the space for quiet and a certain separation necessary for our monastic life.

Another possibility was building near SSC. It has wonderful space and separation, but we then considered our deep roots in St. Joseph. This is where people know us and find us, whether looking for a retreat or to celebrate Eucharist or considering a monastic vocation. So, we decided the west end of our campus offered space and separation and at the same time visibility and invitation to the public. The view of our beautiful woods made it perfect! As we began the process of deciding what we needed in the smaller monastery and what it could look like, some of our Benedictine values came to the forefront in our discussions.

Listening throughout the process was essential. We had many decisions, big and small, and it was vital that we sisters listen to each other as we shared ideas and wisdom. We heard from our architects and contractors and needed to listen and understand. Most especially, we needed to keep the process within the framework of prayer and allow the Spirit to inspire ideas and guide decisions.

Stewardship is another value that helped us focus our discussions. We prioritized protection of natural resources as well as stewarding our own resources. This led to decisions to preserve green space, to build two floors for a smaller footprint and to employ geothermal and solar energy for savings. We even decided the bedrooms were too spacious and cut them down!

Hospitality was core as a guiding value. What about guests? And our Sunday Eucharist community? Our oblates? We planned with all in mind. The chapel will be way larger than we need as sisters, but hopefully just right to welcome our Sunday community. At first, the monastery will be filled with sisters, so we will keep one of our existing buildings for our guests. Then, in time, guests will join us in the monastery. Our oblates are a vital relationship, and we will share a library within the monastery.

Building a new monastery, a “right size” monastery, was not a sudden decision and certainly not out of the blue. What was unexpected, perhaps, not for us but for those who walk with us, is that we did not do a capital campaign. Knowing that a decision to build or renovate would be necessary at some point, we began saving. We have had amazing support from family and friends, former students and others we have served over the years. We are blessed!

We will break ground in summer 2026 and watch the building of our new home. Come and visit sometime around late fall 2027!

Kerry O’Reilly, OSB

This article was featured on page 4-5 in the spring 2026 issue of Benedictine Sisters and Friends.