Frequently Asked Questions

We observe a period of silence beginning at night, which lasts until after Eucharist the next morning. During the day, we maintain a quiet, prayerful atmosphere but speak when necessary at work, as well as enjoying conversation during meals and recreation.

Our Benedictine vows come from the Rule of Saint Benedict, which was written centuries before poverty, chastity, and obedience became the standard vows.

Saint Benedict's vows (or promises, as he called them) are stability, conversatio, and obedience. Stability is a commitment of lifelong fidelity to God and to our community. Conversatio is a commitment to embrace the monastic life as it is lived in our community. This includes poverty or simplicity of life and chastity. Obedience is a vow of listening, a loving response to the voice of God as it comes to us through prayer, the Rule of Saint Benedict, Scripture, our prioress and our sisters.

We come together four times each day to chant the Psalms and listen to Scripture, as well as having daily Eucharist. We spend 2 1/2 hours each day in personal prayer. This includes lectio divina (prayer with Scripture) adoration, contemplative prayer, and individual devotions.

Our ministry is prayer. We receive many e-mails, letters and phone calls requesting prayer. We are also mindful of the many who are suffering in our world, of those who are without faith, and of all in need of prayer but cannot request it. We offer not only our times of prayer but everything we do for their needs. We welcome those who wish to share in our prayer or take time for their own prayer and renewal.

We support ourselves by making low gluten altar breads (communion hosts) and redistributing regular altar breads. We also make handcrafted soaps, lotions, salves, candles, and more for Monastery Creations. We publish a bi-monthly magazine called Spirit & Life that has inspiring articles, community news, and book reviews. 

Another very important work is in our Correspondence Department. Here, our sisters answer emails and letters for prayer requests. Taking care of our monastery and grounds, cooking, bookkeeping, planning liturgies, and welcoming guests are also some of our works.

The important thing is not so much what we do but striving to do all with the remembrance of being in God’s presence.

It means that although we observe a certain amount of enclosure for the sake of our contemplative life, we're not strictly cloistered. While we work within the monastery, we may leave for education, workshops, recreational outings, shopping, and needed appointments. Each sister is also allowed an annual two-week home visit/vacation.

Every sister is unique. Some things we like to do for leisure are spending time in nature, taking walks, biking, making pottery, soap or other crafts, playing board games or cards, working jigsaw puzzles, playing musical instruments, watching an occasional movie or ballgame on television, or reading a good book.

We have an option of wearing a more traditional monastic habit consisting of a tunic with scapular or simple black and/or white skirts, blouses, and dresses. Simplicity and practicality are important to us. The veil is optional.

Women in the postulancy and novitiate wear colored skirts/blouses/dresses. We receive our habit or black/white clothing when we make First Monastic Profession. At this time, we also receive the community emblem (a Benedictine cross with the symbols of the Eucharist.).  Sisters receive a ring at Final Monastic Profession.

Yes. We get two weeks of vacation every year to visit family or friends. However, Christmas, Easter, and other significant holy days are spent in the community. Our families can also visit us at the monastery.