Welcome to our online edition of Spirit & Life.
It is published bi-monthly by the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and contains inspiring articles, news about our Sisters, and book reviews.
First published in 1904, it began as Tabernacle & Purgatory, a bi-monthly devotional magazine. The title at that time reflected a former era’s popular devotion to the souls in Purgatory. We believe that ours is the second oldest, continuously published Catholic magazine in our country, with “Emmanuel,” published by the Blessed Sacrament Fathers, being 10 years older.
Tabernacle and Purgatory was printed in German and English in the beginning. In the aftermath of World War I, it successfully appealed for funds to aid monasteries and seminaries in Germany and other countries that were suffering. As our congregation expanded, the magazine also sought help from readers in building new monasteries in different parts of the U.S. In the 1940s the publication began to reflect shifts in theology, focusing more on Catholic action, the sacraments, and catechesis. The change of name to Spirit & Life in 1965 reflected a broader spiritual focus. It continues to center on prayer and spirituality and shares news of our community.
“The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life,” said Jesus (John 6:63). We hope that Spirit & Life will add spirit to your life.
Spirit & Life magazine has no set subscription price. However, as the publication contains no advertising by outside interests, we are most grateful for any donation our readers wish to make toward publication of the magazine.
Our current circulation is approximately 10,000 copies. The single copy cover price is currently $2.50 per bi-monthly issue.
To donate online we ask you to please visit our website’s online donation page. Please indicate in the Comments that your donation is for Spirit & Life.
If you prefer to make your donation by mail, please send to:
Benedictine Monastery
31970 State Hwy P
Clyde, MO 64432
The Editor of Spirit & Life magazine welcomes your comments and suggestions. If you would like a specific article to be considered for inclusion in a future issue, please provide as much information as possible below (e.g. author, subject, summary of content, copyright information, etc.).
If you would like to request a subscription to Spirit & Life, please use our Subscription Request form below.
Current Issue
![[PIC] A narrow paved pathway leads through trees in autumn shades of orange and yellow [TEXT] Spirit and Life. September October 2026. Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration](https://benedictinesisters.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/SL-Sept-Oct-2026-Cover-792x1024.jpg)