Ministry in Community
“To their fellow [sisters] they show the pure love of [sisters].”
Rule of Benedict 72:8
Living in community, sisters minister to one another in many ways. Enjoy reflections from two sisters living at Saint Benedict’s Monastery about the ways they minister to their fellow sisters. Reflections from sisters living at Saint Scholastica Convent, our retirement center in St. Cloud, Minn., are found on pages 30-31.
Lisa Rose, OSB
“I fell in love with massage after receiving my first massage shortly after I entered the community. As I came away from the experience feeling calm, refreshed and relaxed, I kept saying to myself I hope to do this ministry for the community in the future.
In 2003, the opportunity to pursue this ministry became a reality. I was asked to look for a massage school to attend because the sisters who were currently ministering in massage were no longer able to continue. As I researched massage schools, I contacted a friend who received her training at Sister Rosalind’s School of Massage. I was fortunate to find that Sister Rosalind Schools had opened a clinic in Sauk Rapids, Minn., so I registered for an eight-week introductory course titled Swedish Massage. I was thrilled that on my first evening of class, I met S. Rosalind.
My training included both classroom learning and opportunities to practice the skills of massage therapy. I had many sisters, family and friends willing to be my clients during the eight weeks; all I asked of them was to evaluate my massage technique by giving me feedback after our session. Because I was only going to minister to sisters, the introductory training I received gave me the skills needed to give a complete massage to community members.
Massage is beneficial both physically and spiritually. The atmosphere in the slightly darkened room is quiet and calm, with soft music playing. I begin with a silent prayer because for me, this time together is a healing prayer. I use gently scented cream to moisturize the skin during the massage. The technique I use consists of a variety of long strokes on the back and legs and kneading of the shoulders and arms. I learn the importance of listening to the sister who is receiving the massage and the type of pressure she may ask for.
Since I began my massage ministry in 2003, I have given over 5,000 massages in the community. Massage continues to be a rewarding ministry for me.”
Iris Beckwith, OSB
“When I first entered Saint Benedict’s Monastery here in St. Joseph, Minn., I had already completed my registered nurse training and state boards. That was a long time ago! My first mentor in this community was Sister Giovanni Bieniek who was then the director of our sisters’ infirmary here on second floor of the Main Building. She took me under her wing and trained me on how to care for the elderly sisters’ feet.
Her solemn belief was that ‘These are the feet of Christ.’ Her wholehearted belief in this became my motto as well, and she told me a story that changed my whole perspective on care of the feet. She was taking care of Sister Methodia Drajna, who had her feet in S. Giovanni’s lap. S. Giovanni told me she was feeling sorry for herself in believing she had been moved from a prestigious position as director of nursing at St. Benedict’s Hospital in Ogden, Utah, to ‘this — an infirmary nurse’ here at Saint Benedict’s Monastery. When she looked down into her lap at S. Methodia’s feet, she saw the feet of Christ: bloody, dirty, spike holes. She wept buckets that day because she knew why she was called to come home: ‘These truly are the feet of Christ, and I am privileged to care for them.’
During my tenure as a hospital nurse, I was able to work for many years in the operating room, and it was there that I met and worked with five different podiatrists, each with different and unique ways of doing things. They taught me a variety of practices which I am currently using today. I have been a full-time foot care clinician for 15 years now and care for about 90 sisters in our community. I love my job, and I truly believe that when your feet feel good, you feel good all over, and when they hurt, they rule your life!
Dear S. Giovanni, you blessed me by training me and sharing your knowledge and joy in a job that I believe is needed and appreciated by so many of our sisters. Thank you for sharing your time, talent, wisdom and stories with me so long ago. I continue to hold all of them in my heart!”
This article was featured on pages 16-17 in the fall 2026 issue of Call.
