Vocation Vignettes

Julianne Gilbert, OSB

“My years as a Benedictine are a witness of the relentless perseverance of God’s pursuit of my heart and life. I dodged God’s nudging toward religious life for 15 years, until my fears and doubts were quieted enough to truly listen and discern with others and then answer the call. I am deeply grateful for God’s patience!

Our Benedictine life is a continual chorus of call and response, seek and explore, risk and trust. God asks my obedience, sometimes to things that seem beyond me, and then grants me the grace and grit to respond and show up through my sisters and our common commitment to daily Benedictine life.

We are moving into a future of great change, with both anticipation and trepidation, and I draw courage from knowing the God who persisted in getting me here will get me into whatever way we are meant to go next as a community. The journey may ramble a bit, but the path has been laid.”

Katherine Kraft, OSB

“My motivation for entering the monastery was mixed—not all that clear. It was a way to make a difference when women’s roles were narrowly defined. Here, I met a wide spectrum of talented women doing all sorts of things and spending a lot of time praying. Their love of learning, stewardship of the land, the arts and concern for others locally, nationally and globally impressed me. But what drew me most was their humanity, approachability and warmth. They seemed real, even ordinary. Deep down, I came and stayed because I found welcome and home here. Home is where we belong. Home is where we find God. I found God here.”

This article was featured on page 27 in the fall 2025 issue of Call