60 Years of Devoted Service

Sister Hildegard Zerwas, OSB recently celebrated her 60th jubilee of monastic profession

On April 16, the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration gathered to honor a remarkable milestone – the 60th jubilee of monastic profession for Sister Hildegard Zerwas, OSB.

Born in Germany, Sister Hildegard felt the call to religious life at a young age, entering the Benedictine Sisters in 1963 at just 20 years old. She made her first monastic profession on March 12, 1966, and committed herself fully through perpetual vows on March 6, 1971 – a dedication that has now spanned six decades.

Over the years, Sister Hildegard served the congregation with quiet faithfulness in a remarkable variety of roles. She worked for many years in the printery and served as bookkeeper at the Clyde monastery. As a Junior Sister, she led the altar bread department at the former location in Kansas City, Missouri. She also gave generously of her gifts as sacristan, librarian and assistant prioress at the St. Louis monastery, and later served in Clyde as librarian and portress, welcoming guests with warmth and grace.

Sister Hildegard once said, “One of the greatest gifts of monastic life is that our whole day is centered on God. Celebrating the Eucharist is, for us, a way of life, one in which we strive to live simply and to be good stewards of God’s creation.”

The Benedictine Sisters are profoundly grateful for Sister Hildegard’s steadfast witness and the many ways she has served God and community throughout her life. May this jubilee be a beautiful reminder of the blessings that flow from a life wholly given to God.