Our CommunityHow to Join Our Community
Would you like to be a Benedictine Associate?
The Sisters of St. Scholastica
Monastery invite you to
experience monastic life by living
with them in Community.
Are You a Woman Who
- Would welcome a time apart to deepen her spirituality?
- Is at a crossroad in her life and needs time to discern which path she should take?
- Desires to experience the rhythm of life in a monastic community?
- Has thought about religious life and would live with our Community for a period of time?
Ministry Opportunities
Work/ministry assignments are based on the Associate's experience, interests, talents, and the needs of the Monastery and the Duluth area, e.g.,- Clerical or computer work
- information desk staffing
- spiritual resource center
- variety of household tasks
- gardening
- driving or escorting
Sisters to appointments - visiting and reading
to elderly Sisters - music ministries
- reading mentor for
elementary schoolchildren - outreach to the poor
A Benedictine Associate
- is 21 years of age or older (or at least a junior in college) without dependents
- has a desire to experience Benedictine monastic life
- is in good physical health
- will be responsible for personal expenses (room and board are provided)
- has a willingness to commit to a specific period of time (6 months to one year or longer)
- will provide three letters of recommendation from her pastor or spiritual guide, work superior, and work colleague or friend
- has a personal (or telephone) interview with the Director of Benedictine Associates
- submits an autobiographical essay
Benefits of the Program
- Participation in daily Eucharist and Liturgy of the Hours
- Opportunities for spiritual growth, e.g., days of prayer and recollection, spiritual direction if desired, and time for personal prayer
- Interaction with the Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery
- Opportunities to attend music, theatre, and lecture series at The College of St. Scholastica and to participate in educational and spiritual programs.
Benedictine Associate Hillary and Sister Armella at the Information Desk
Associate Joan volunteered at St. Mary's emergency room and at CHUM, an outreach for the poor.
Associate Sue works on iconography.
Associate Gretchen working in the Sisters' library
Associate Mary in the rhubarb patch; she also assists with photography.
Benedictine Associates Maurita and Katie enjoy the view from
the rooftop next to their fifth floor apartment.
Community Life
- Live in private rooms in an area reserved for Associates
- Join the monastic Community at daily Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours (Morning, Midday, and Evening Prayer)
- Share meals with the Sisters in the Monastery dining room
- Enjoy leisure activities with the other Associates and the Sisters.
Sister Grace Marie
Director
Benedictine Associate Program
For more information contact:
Sister Grace Marie Braun, OSB
St. Scholastica Monastery
1001 Kenwood Avenue
Duluth, MN 55811-2300
(218) 723-6555
gmbraun@duluthosb.org