Benedictine leaders attend formation symposium

Sister Elaine Fisher, OSB with the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas, presents during the North American Benedictine Vocation Formation Directors Symposium held in May.

Three members of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration who work closely with women discerning a religious vocation or who are currently in formation with the congregation attended the North American Benedictine Vocation Formation Directors Symposium in May.

The four-day event took place at Christ the King Priory’s St. Benedict Center in Schuyler, Nebraska.

Representing the congregation were Benedictine Sister Joan Ridley, OSB, who serves as postulant director; Novice Director Sister Ruth Elaine Starman, OSB; and Vocation Director Sister Nancy Rose Gucwa, OSB.

Attendees spent time learning from speakers such as Sister Anita Louise Lowe, OSB of the Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand, Indiana, who talked about the primacy of the Liturgy of the Hours for Benedictine communities.

A presentation by Sister Elaine Fisher, OSB with the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas, took a unique approach in drawing parallels between nature and life in a religious community.

“Sister Elaine talked about what bees, birds and trees can tell us about living in community,” Sister Ruth Elaine said. “The symposium also included breakout sessions for vocation and formation directors to talk about best practices.”

The Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration hosting a Monastic Experience in June in Clyde, Missouri, for those discerning a religious vocation. For more information about this event and vocations with the Benedictine Sisters, please click here.