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Benedictines for Peace and Justice
Sisters and Oblates of Saint Benedict’s Monastery welcome your presence as we actively live our faith and social justice commitment.
Voices That Challenge
What do you know about white nationalists? Have you ever encountered one? How prevalent are they in the U.S.A.? Eli Saslow’s book Rising Out of Hatred: The Wakening of a Former White Nationalist provides answers to those questions through the life of Derek Black, the son of Don Black and grandson of David Duke, the former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. Derek Black saw himself as the epitome of what he inherited, until he attended New College of Florida. At college, Derek came face to face with the very people he was denigrating from afar through his Stormfront radio show. The long, difficult and painful transition from white nationalism to speaking out against hatred and prejudice is a story too good to miss. Read More
Eunice Antony, OSB
Notable
“How to BE Peace” Webinar
In the midst of multiple media options, seemingly overwhelming both in print and on the web, often distracting from moral and personal responsibility, “Spirituality of Nonviolence and Peacemaking – How to BE Peace” webinar, offers time to pray, listen, reflect and respond individually and as a member of societies in which we live and work during the 50-minute presentation. Sister Patricia Chappell, director of Pax Christi USA, offers a challenging and reflective perceptive, inviting the listener to enter into the presentation that includes informational slides for the visual listener.
Peace Pole
“Seek peace and pursue it.” The Rule of Saint Benedict’s direct challenge to live our beliefs calls us into prayer: Recognizing the violence in my own heart, I recommit myself to seek peace: by striving for peace and integrity within myself, by accepting suffering rather than inflicting it, by refusing to retaliate in the face of provocation and violence, by persevering in nonviolence of heart and tongue, by living conscientiously and simply so that I do not deprive others of the means to live, by being aware of and grateful for the gifts of peace in my community and nation. God of Peace, I trust in your sustaining love and believe that just as you gave me the grace and desire to offer this prayer, so you will also bestow abundant grace to fulfill it.
Two peace poles reflect the presence of belief and prayer through action on the campus of Saint Benedict’s Monastery and the College of Saint Benedict. The poles bear the phrase “May Peace Prevail in the World” written in English, Norwegian, Hmong and Swahili—peace to the north, south, east and west.
Voices That Challenge
What do you know about white nationalists? Have you ever encountered one? How prevalent are they in the U.S.A.? Eli Saslow’s book Rising Out of Hatred: The Wakening of a Former White Nationalist provides answers to those questions through the life of Derek Black, the son of Don Black and grandson of David Duke, the former grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. Derek Black saw himself as the epitome of what he inherited, until he attended New College of Florida. At college, Derek came face to face with the very people he was denigrating from afar through his Stormfront radio show. The long, difficult and painful transition from white nationalism to speaking out against hatred and prejudice is a story too good to miss. Read More
Eunice Antony, OSB
Notable
“How to BE Peace” Webinar
In the midst of multiple media options, seemingly overwhelming both in print and on the web, often distracting from moral and personal responsibility, “Spirituality of Nonviolence and Peacemaking – How to BE Peace” webinar, offers time to pray, listen, reflect and respond individually and as a member of societies in which we live and work during the 50-minute presentation. Sister Patricia Chappell, director of Pax Christi USA, offers a challenging and reflective perceptive, inviting the listener to enter into the presentation that includes informational slides for the visual listener.
Peace Pole
“Seek peace and pursue it.” The Rule of Saint Benedict’s direct challenge to live our beliefs calls us into prayer: Recognizing the violence in my own heart, I recommit myself to seek peace: by striving for peace and integrity within myself, by accepting suffering rather than inflicting it, by refusing to retaliate in the face of provocation and violence, by persevering in nonviolence of heart and tongue, by living conscientiously and simply so that I do not deprive others of the means to live, by being aware of and grateful for the gifts of peace in my community and nation. God of Peace, I trust in your sustaining love and believe that just as you gave me the grace and desire to offer this prayer, so you will also bestow abundant grace to fulfill it.
Two peace poles reflect the presence of belief and prayer through action on the campus of Saint Benedict’s Monastery and the College of Saint Benedict. The poles bear the phrase “May Peace Prevail in the World” written in English, Norwegian, Hmong and Swahili—peace to the north, south, east and west.
Witness
The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), of which we are a member, challenges the readers’ awareness of racism in one’s life, in the societies in which we live and the structures of which we choose to be part of during their social media campaign called Standing Against Racism. The campaign, taking place from April 3 to May 15, is to “raise awareness about the scourge of racism and the importance of standing together to confront its destructive effects on our communities and our country.” LCWR will be posting graphics and quotes on their Facebook and Twitter pages that we will be sharing on this site, Facebook and Twitter. Follow along!
LCWR Facebook
LCWR Twitter
Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict Facebook
Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict Twitter
Involvement
“Tackling Root Causes: Addressing Mass Migration at its Source” is a webinar sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Justice for Immigrants committee. The hour-long presentation weaves background information on the root causes on national levels into current international situations. Motivation of people in need to migrate is addressed on personal levels, and the challenge of receiving countries to incorporate migrants into society with invites participants to shift their understanding from “challenge” to understanding and compassion.
Reflection
Where We Start the Migration Story Matters
Judgment and blame aren’t typically attitudes that I bring to something I sit down to read, especially when I am aware of not having any background, experience or understanding of the information before me. I really can only relate to another’s journey, their story, when I listen to their experience. As I become aware of my biases, limited knowledge and even possible fears, only then can actually open my heart to speak louder than my attitudes of ignorance, actively hearing to the other’s journey.
Lord, a thought, a smile, the simple acknowledgement of the other welcomes a sense of peace in the moment. A welcoming spirit is without judgment or blame. Teach us to pray.
Witness
The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), of which we are a member, challenges the readers’ awareness of racism in one’s life, in the societies in which we live and the structures of which we choose to be part of during their social media campaign called Standing Against Racism. The campaign, taking place from April 3 to May 15, is to “raise awareness about the scourge of racism and the importance of standing together to confront its destructive effects on our communities and our country.” LCWR will be posting graphics and quotes on their Facebook and Twitter pages that we will be sharing on this site, Facebook and Twitter. Follow along!
LCWR Facebook
LCWR Twitter
Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict Facebook
Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict Twitter
Involvement
“Tackling Root Causes: Addressing Mass Migration at its Source” is a webinar sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Justice for Immigrants committee. The hour-long presentation weaves background information on the root causes on national levels into current international situations. Motivation of people in need to migrate is addressed on personal levels, and the challenge of receiving countries to incorporate migrants into society with invites participants to shift their understanding from “challenge” to understanding and compassion.
Reflection
Where We Start the Migration Story Matters
Judgment and blame aren’t typically attitudes that I bring to something I sit down to read, especially when I am aware of not having any background, experience or understanding of the information before me. I really can only relate to another’s journey, their story, when I listen to their experience. As I become aware of my biases, limited knowledge and even possible fears, only then can actually open my heart to speak louder than my attitudes of ignorance, actively hearing to the other’s journey.
Lord, a thought, a smile, the simple acknowledgement of the other welcomes a sense of peace in the moment. A welcoming spirit is without judgment or blame. Teach us to pray.
Witness
The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), of which we are a member, challenges the readers’ awareness of racism in one’s life, in the societies in which we live and the structures of which we choose to be part of during their social media campaign called Standing Against Racism. The campaign, taking place from April 3 to May 15, is to “raise awareness about the scourge of racism and the importance of standing together to confront its destructive effects on our communities and our country.” LCWR will be posting graphics and quotes on their Facebook and Twitter pages that we will be sharing on this site, Facebook and Twitter. Follow along!
LCWR Facebook
LCWR Twitter
Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict Facebook
Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict Twitter
Involvement
“Tackling Root Causes: Addressing Mass Migration at its Source” is a webinar sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Justice for Immigrants committee. The hour-long presentation weaves background information on the root causes on national levels into current international situations. Motivation of people in need to migrate is addressed on personal levels, and the challenge of receiving countries to incorporate migrants into society with invites participants to shift their understanding from “challenge” to understanding and compassion.
Reflection
Where We Start the Migration Story Matters
Judgment and blame aren’t typically attitudes that I bring to something I sit down to read, especially when I am aware of not having any background, experience or understanding of the information before me. I really can only relate to another’s journey, their story, when I listen to their experience. As I become aware of my biases, limited knowledge and even possible fears, only then can actually open my heart to speak louder than my attitudes of ignorance, actively hearing to the other’s journey.
Lord, a thought, a smile, the simple acknowledgement of the other welcomes a sense of peace in the moment. A welcoming spirit is without judgment or blame. Teach us to pray.
Prayer
Out of the mouths of babes … Jesus’ call to the children’s wisdom has brought to mind the experiences of many people’s relationships with their own children. During Lent, the Stations of the Cross is an opportunity to reflect on the life and passion of Jesus Christ. Today, we are welcomed to reflect on life itself, through the experience of children. Embracing life is an opportunity as simple as a breath taken for granted. Choose life!
The Way of the Cross Through the Experience of Children
“It would seem that, quite possibly, the ultimate measure of health in any community might well reside in our ability to stand in awe of what folks have to carry rather than in judgment of how they carry it.”
Gregory Boyle, SJ
Barking to the Choir – The Power of Radical Kinship (p. 51)
International
Sister Janine Mettling and Stephanie Hart, a long-time Schola member and friend of the monastery, spent a couple of weeks serving immigrants and refugees at the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas. S. Janine was featured in an article by the Central Minnesota Catholic to tell about their experiences:
Local Benedictine Sister, Fellow Volunteer Witness ‘Humanitarian Crisis’ at Border
A prayer and information board that stood in the dining room to keep the community aware of happenings at the border.
Prayer
Out of the mouths of babes … Jesus’ call to the children’s wisdom has brought to mind the experiences of many people’s relationships with their own children. During Lent, the Stations of the Cross is an opportunity to reflect on the life and passion of Jesus Christ. Today, we are welcomed to reflect on life itself, through the experience of children. Embracing life is an opportunity as simple as a breath taken for granted. Choose life!
The Way of the Cross Through the Experience of Children
“It would seem that, quite possibly, the ultimate measure of health in any community might well reside in our ability to stand in awe of what folks have to carry rather than in judgment of how they carry it.”
Gregory Boyle, SJ
Barking to the Choir – The Power of Radical Kinship (p. 51)
International
Sister Janine Mettling and Stephanie Hart, a long-time Schola member and friend of the monastery, spent a couple of weeks serving immigrants and refugees at the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas. S. Janine was featured in an article by the Central Minnesota Catholic to tell about their experiences:
Local Benedictine Sister, Fellow Volunteer Witness ‘Humanitarian Crisis’ at Border
A prayer and information board that stood in the dining room to keep the community aware of happenings at the border.
Catholic Social Teachings
The United States fiscal budget for 2020, “Budget for a Better America,” is being challenged by Catholic advocates, paralleling the rationale of the Administration’s $4.75 trillion request with the needs of the American people in light of Catholic Social Teachings—the moral and ethical details of each national issue, reflecting the day-to-day reality of human and environmental needs. The following article reflects the continuing conversation into the budget’s October beginning as its impact will be felt on personal, national and international levels. Our immediate challenge, to be informed in light of our Catholic traditions, realizing that our voices can rise beyond the political rhetoric that seems to be overshadowing people’s rooted understanding of goodness and mercy, is to bring the conversation to our dinner tables, parish communities and national leadership’s responsible reflection of people’s basic needs.
Catholic Social Teaching Guides Advocates in Push for a ‘Moral’ Budget
Resources
“Listen carefully and attend with the ear of your heart.” Loosely quoted, Saint Benedict invites, challenges, maybe even demands the faithful to become listeners. To realize we are called to listen, and to hear, there is a difference—first from within. One of the many ways to enter into the journey is to read and reflect. Then the conversation begins.
National Religious Campaign Against Torture
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Federation of Saint Benedict
“YES!”
National Catholic Reporter
America, The Jesuit Review
Jubilee, USA Network
Catholic News Agency
The United Nations Refugee Agency/USA
Public Radio International
Sojourners
Justice for Immigrants
Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
World Peace International
Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice
Catholic Social Teachings
The United States fiscal budget for 2020, “Budget for a Better America,” is being challenged by Catholic advocates, paralleling the rationale of the Administration’s $4.75 trillion request with the needs of the American people in light of Catholic Social Teachings—the moral and ethical details of each national issue, reflecting the day-to-day reality of human and environmental needs. The following article reflects the continuing conversation into the budget’s October beginning as its impact will be felt on personal, national and international levels. Our immediate challenge, to be informed in light of our Catholic traditions, realizing that our voices can rise beyond the political rhetoric that seems to be overshadowing people’s rooted understanding of goodness and mercy, is to bring the conversation to our dinner tables, parish communities and national leadership’s responsible reflection of people’s basic needs.
Catholic Social Teaching Guides Advocates in Push for a ‘Moral’ Budget
Resources
“Listen carefully and attend with the ear of your heart.” Loosely quoted, Saint Benedict invites, challenges, maybe even demands the faithful to become listeners. To realize we are called to listen, and to hear, there is a difference—first from within. One of the many ways to enter into the journey is to read and reflect. Then the conversation begins.
National Religious Campaign Against Torture
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Federation of Saint Benedict
“YES!”
National Catholic Reporter
America, The Jesuit Review
Jubilee, USA Network
Catholic News Agency
The United Nations Refugee Agency/USA
Public Radio International
Sojourners
Justice for Immigrants
Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
World Peace International
Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice