Catholic Benedictine Sisters Discernment Blog

By Sister Catherine Cleary, OSB

Left to my own devices I would never have entered religious life. I thought it was dull, stilted, without fun, zest, relationships or community.  I was interested in my friends, stylish clothes, a social life, my education. So how did it come about? Continue Reading »

Tags: discernment

By Sister Stefanie MacDonald, OSB

After taking a few years to work and live my Catholic parish life, God sent me another message.

I was at church with my father and youngest sisters, when Sisters from a habited community filed in. The pastor introduced them, and they seemed very nice. Several years before, I had discerned religious life for a time, even living with an apostolic community for a year. It wasn’t for me, so I returned to my parish and teaching. Continue Reading »

By Sister Charlotte Sonneville, OSB

Is religious life relevant today? I believe it is … and many are searching for such meaning in their lives. Are you? Do you share these 3 values?

1. Living in prayer-filled community, in love, respect, and anticipation of each others’ needs. Continue Reading »

By Sister Phyllis McMurray, OSB

From the wake service held Jan. 18, 2012

“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.” (Matt. 11:25)

This evening we celebrate the life of Sister Joan´ Kupfert.  And what a life she lived.  From 1944 until 1991, she spent her life educating youth.  She once wrote that her service to the Church was a particularly stable one.  She noted, “I have long felt a great need to witness to Catholicism in a Catholic high school setting.”  And that she did.  But where did it all start? Continue Reading »

By Sister Charlotte Sonneville, OSB

In a recent article on contemporary religious life, the author asked young Sisters, priests, and brothers what attracted them to religious life.  They answered: “The group’s clarity of vision, a common life, ministries that respond to absolute human needs, a common focus, and the fact that the gospel message and a life of prayer are the foundation for the group’s life and work together.”

For many years, we recognized Sisters by their religious habit. It symbolized, for many, dedication and being set apart for service. Continue Reading »

Sister Charlotte Sonneville, OSB, reflects on her younger life as a single woman, and later as a Benedictine Sister in this article. We hope it inspires you!

As a child, I attended the Benedictine Sisters’ St. Mary’s School in Moline. I loved to stay after school and help clean the blackboards, sort papers, or run errands. I liked being with the Sisters and was curious to learn what they were really like. Was it the habit that made them seem different? Or was it something deep inside that you had to get to know? Continue Reading »