Saint Benedict's Monastery (St. Joseph, Minnesota) facts for kids
The Sacred Heart Chapel, Main Building, and Main Convent at Saint Benedict's Monastery
|
|
 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
|
|
| Monastery information | |
|---|---|
| Order | Order of Saint Benedict |
| Established | 1863 |
| Mother house | St. Joseph Monastery, St. Marys, Pennsylvania |
| Archdiocese | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis |
| Diocese | Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Cloud |
| People | |
| Founder(s) | Benedicta Riepp |
| Prior | Sister Susan Rudolph |
| Site | |
| Location | 104 Chapel Lane, St. Joseph, Minnesota, United States |
| Coordinates | 45°33′47″N 94°19′7″W / 45.56306°N 94.31861°W |
| Public access | Yes |
| Website | |
|
St. Benedict's Convent and College Historic District
|
|
| Area | 6 acres (2.4 ha) |
| Built | 1882–1920s |
| Architect | George Bergmann, George Stauduhar, Buechner & Orth, et al. |
| Architectural style | Beaux-Arts, Renaissance Revival, Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000160 |
| Added to NRHP | March 20, 1989 |
Saint Benedict's Monastery is a special place where a group of Catholic nuns, called Benedictine Sisters, live and work. It's located in St. Joseph, Minnesota, in the United States. These Sisters are part of the Order of Saint Benedict, which is a very old religious group. The leader of the monastery is called the Prioress. As of June 2023, Sister Karen Rose is the Prioress.
Contents
History of the Monastery
The Benedictine Sisters who live at Saint Benedict's Monastery have a long history. Their journey began in a place called Saint Walburg Abbey in Eichstätt, Germany. In 1857, six Sisters traveled from Germany to St. Cloud, Minnesota. They later moved to St. Joseph in 1863.
Founding and Growth
Mother Benedicta Riepp is known as the founder of Benedictine women's communities in the United States. She is buried in the monastery cemetery. Over the years, the community grew. In 1946, it had 1,278 members, making it the largest Benedictine community of women in the world at that time. By 2010, it was the largest Benedictine community of women in the United States, with nearly 300 members.
Education and New Communities
The Sisters believed in the importance of education. In 1878, they started Saint Benedict's Academy. This school later grew into the College of Saint Benedict in 1913. In 1961, the Sisters made the college a separate organization. The college and the Monastery are now two independent groups that share nearby campuses.
In 2012, the Sisters of Saint Benedict's Monastery welcomed 27 Sisters from Saint Bede Monastery in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The land where Saint Bede Monastery was located was bought by the University of Wisconsin.
Leaders of the Monastery
The Prioress is the main leader of the monastery. Here is a list of the Sisters who have served as Prioress:
- Mother Willibalda Sherbauer, OSB, 1857-1868
- Mother Antonia Herman, OSB, 1868-1877
- Mother Aloysia Bath, OSB, 1877-1880
- Mother Scholastica Kerst, OSB, 1880-1889
- Mother Aloysia Bath, OSB, 1889-1901
- Mother Cecelia Kapsner, OSB, 1901-1919
- Mother Louise Walz, OSB, 1919-1937
- Mother Rosamond Pratschner, OSB 1937-1949
- Mother Richarda Peters, OSB, 1949-1961
- Mother Henrita Osendorf, OSB, 1961-1973
- Sister Evin Rademacher, OSB, 1973-1981
- Sister Katherine Howard, OSB, 1981-1989
- Sister Mary Reuter, OSB, 1989-1995
- Sister Ephrem Hollermann, OSB, 1995-2005
- Sister Nancy Bauer, OSB, 2005-2011
- Sister Michaela Hedican, OSB, 2011-2017
- Sister Susan Rudolph, OSB, 2017–2023
- Sister Karen Rose, OSB, 2023–Present
Buildings and Architecture
The main buildings of the convent and college are part of a historic district. This means they are important because of their history, architecture, and religious significance. The St. Benedict's Convent and College Historic District includes 14 buildings and other structures built between 1882 and the late 1920s.
Sacred Heart Chapel
The Sacred Heart Chapel is a very important building at the monastery. In the early 1900s, the community was growing, and they needed more space. Plans were made in 1910 to build a new chapel and college hall. The original Sacred Heart Chapel opened on March 25, 1914.
The chapel was designed in the Beaux-Arts style by architect George Stauduhar. It has a tall, ribbed dome that is 135 feet high. This dome sits on a base with Ionic columns and round windows called oculus windows. The main altar is right under the dome.
In 1981, the Sisters decided to update the chapel. They wanted a space that felt more modern and reflected their spiritual beliefs. The chapel was changed a lot. Some of the granite columns were removed and used in a new area called the Gathering Place. The Gathering Place is used for events, prayers, and to store the monastery's old records. The renovation was finished in the spring of 1983. The Sacred Heart Chapel is a symbol of the Benedictine traditions and how they can connect with modern spirituality.
Community Outreach
The Sisters at Saint Benedict's Monastery are very involved in helping others.
Education and Healthcare
They have a strong commitment to education. Since 1857, many Sisters have taught in 163 elementary and secondary schools. Most of these schools are in the Diocese of St. Cloud, and some are in Native American communities.
The Sisters also play a big role in healthcare. They helped start and staff hospitals like St. Cloud Hospital and the Queen of Peace Hospital. They also ran nursing schools and other healthcare training programs.
Founding Other Communities
Saint Benedict's Monastery has helped start other independent communities of Benedictine women. It is part of the Federation of St. Benedict, which includes monasteries in places like Washington, Illinois, North Dakota, Japan, Taiwan, and Puerto Rico. The monastery also founded three missions for Native American communities in Minnesota.
Connecting with Students
The Sisters have a program called Benedictine Friends. This program connects students from the College of St. Benedict with the Sisters. It helps students learn about spirituality and build friendships with the Sisters.
Notable Sisters
- Sister Annella Zervas (1900–1926) was a nun from St. Benedict's. She faced a very difficult skin condition with great faith. The Church has recognized her as a Servant of God. In October 2023, it was announced that steps are being taken to consider her for Roman Catholic Sainthood.
Art and Heritage Place
In 2000, the Sisters opened the Art and Heritage Place. This center allows them to share their art and history with the public. The Haehn Museum inside features different exhibits each year. These exhibits show the lives and work of the Sisters and their impact locally and around the world. The Whitby Gift Shop and Gallery also has art exhibits and sells works by the Sisters and local artists.
Spirituality Center
The Sisters also run the Spirituality Center. This center offers individual and group retreats, programs, and spiritual direction. It helps people learn about spiritual guidance and provides access to spiritual directors. The center also holds daily sessions and workshops on centering prayer, which is a type of Christian meditation. Many other programs and retreats are offered throughout the year. Since 2007, the Spirituality Center has also operated Subiaco Hermitage, which is a small cabin on the property for individual retreats.
