Come and Visit!
The Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict invite women ages 18-45 who are considering the call to religious life to Benedictine Live-In Weekends or Retreats. Each visit is an opportunity to pause; to listen; to find God in the quiet; discern the option of religious life with other women; experience the rhythm of monastic life by participating in the prayer, meals and leisure time of the monastic community; discuss the joys and challenges of life with the Sisters and ask questions. Come, join us!
For more information, contact S. Mary Catherine Holicky, vocation director, at mholicky@csbsju.edu or 320-363-7180.
Weekend Retreats
These retreats, held at the monastery, are designed for single women, age 18-45, who are considering religious life.
Each weekend is an opportunity for you to
- Pause to listen, to find God in the quiet;
- Discern the option of religious life today with other women;
- Experience the rhythm of monastic life by participating in the prayers, meals and leisure times of the community;
- Discuss the joys and challenges of monastic life with Sisters;
- Ask questions.
Benedictine Live-Ins are for Roman Catholic women 18-45 who are discerning a religious vocation in the tradition of Benedict. Do you hunger for God? Are you willing to take a risk?
- Discern with other women the option of religious life today
- Join the monastic community in common prayer and Eucharist
- Work with Sisters doing manual labor in the monastery
- Experience monastic community life at meals and leisure time
Sisters will lead daily presentations on Benedictine values such as Liturgy of the Hours, community, simplicity and stewardship, celibacy and intimacy, lectio divina.
For Discerning Women
September 26-28, 2008 Benedictine Live-In
4:30 p.m. Friday through 1 p.m. Sunday
October 17-19, 2008 Benedictine Live-In
4:30 p.m. Friday through 1 p.m. Sunday
December 5-7, 2008 Benedictine Live-In
4:30 p.m. Friday through 1 p.m. Sunday
January 5-11, 2009 Monastic Experience/Live-in
3 p.m. Monday through 1 p.m. Sunday
February 27-March 1, 2009 Benedictine Live-In
4:30 p.m. Friday through 1 p.m. Sunday
April 9-12, 2009 Triduum at the Monastery
4 p.m Thursday through 1 p.m. Sunday
June 21-28, 2009 Monastic Experience/Live-In
3 p.m. Sunnday through 1 p.m. Sunday
For College of Saint Benedict Women
September 12-13, 2008 24 Hour Monastic Plunge
7:30 p.m. Friday through 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Oct. 20-24, 2008 Busy Women's Retreat for CSB juniors and seniors
4:30 p.m. Friday through 1 p.m. Sunday
November 21-22 2008 24 Hour Monastic Plunge
7:30 p.m. Friday through 7:30 p.m. Saturday
January 5-11, 2009 Monastic Experience/Live-in
3 p.m. Monday through 1 p.m. Sunday
January 23-24, 2009 24 Hour Monastic Plunge
7:30 p.m. Friday through 7:30 p.m. Saturday
March 13-14, 2009 24 Hour Monastic Plunge
7:30 p.m. Friday through 7:30 p.m. Saturday
March 16-20, 2009 Busy Women's Retreat for CSB juniors and seniors
4:30 p.m. Friday through 1 p.m. Sunday
Extended Live-In
This extended time, a few weeks to a year, offers an opportunity for women considering religious life to experience the day-to-day life in a monastic community.
This time provides an opportunity to
- Experience the daily life of prayer and community living with the Sisters
- Discern a personal call to monastic life
- Deepen a relationship with God
- Volunteer talents and skills while helping in the ministries of the Sisters.
The time and length of the Extended Live-In is arranged to fit the schedule of each individual as well as the Benedictine community.
What if I want to have continued contact with your monastery? We maintain a list of women whom we regularly contact by e-mail or phone. We also have a monthly newsletter with highlights and information about our monastery and the Benedictine way of life.
To register for any of these Benedictine Live-In Experiences, print out and fill in the registration form and send it to
S. Mary Catherine Holicky, OSB,
Vocation Director, Saint Benedict's Monastery
104 Chapel Lane St. Joseph, MN 56374-0220
320-363-7180
mholicky@csbsju.edu