It’s 11:30 a.m. on a cool spring morning as the 20 Benedictine sisters of St. Paul’s Monastery gather in the chapel to pray the Liturgy of the Hours.
They pray the words of the Psalms, listen to sacred Scripture, hold silence, and sing God’s praise — one of three times each day the sisters come together for prayer.
Community prayer is at the center of monastic life at St. Paul’s Monastery in Maplewood, where the sisters of St. Benedict are preparing to celebrate the monastery’s 75th anniversary beginning in June.
“The majority of our sisters are retired from ministry external to the monastery; their active ministry is daily prayer for the needs of the world and providing hospitality and welcome to retreatants and guests of the monastery,” said Travis Salisbury, 45, director of mission advancement and an oblate of the sisters since 2015. Through the decades in the Twin Cities, the Benedictine sisters have been involved in teaching, health care and elder care.
VISIT THE MONASTERY
St. Paul’s Monastery grounds in Maplewood are open to guests, and the Benedictine sisters welcome all to join them at prayer in the chapel. Call ahead to arrange a visit: 651-777-8181.
“Constant community prayer — that’s what nourishes us each day,” said Sister Lucia Schwickerath, 84. “And our beautiful chapel is a bright space with its flowing wood ceiling and semi-circular walls, like the embracing arms of God.”
A music and liturgy minister for 40 years, Sister Lucia, who took her final vows in 1964, also worked as a formation director, is a former prioress at the monastery (2009 to 2014), and most recently served at St. Therese in Woodbury. She appreciates the core values at the heart of the mission of the religious sisters: community, prayer, hospitality, silence, stewardship, generativity and social responsibility.
The Benedictine value of hospitality is alive through The Benedictine Center, a vibrant retreat and guest house ministry that opened in 1983, which reflects the sisters’ commitment to a lifetime of learning about Christian discipleship and care of self through rest and renewal.
“We present talks on the Trinity, the life of the Church, and topics relevant to today — the Benedictines are known for meeting the needs of the time, and changing with the times,” said Sister Lucia. “When visitors come to the center, we encourage them to pray and share meals with us.”
The monastery grounds, adjacent to wooded wetlands, are home to many birds and wild animals, offering a prayerful and peaceful connection with creation. The grounds include a grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, a full-size labyrinth marked with a stone and grass path, a life-size bronze statue of St. Benedict, a courtyard with a butterfly garden and a Blessed Mother statue, and a cemetery, which is home to 200 deceased sisters.
‘Responding to needs of the time’
Sister Catherine Nehotte, 62, the monastery’s current prioress, joined St. Paul’s Monastery in 1985 as a postulant. She has witnessed the sisters’ response to community needs, including M.O.M.S. (Ministry of Mothers Sharing) which was created in 1986 for mothers of young children who were seeking ways to strengthen the faith, in their families and in their faith communities. Responding to a shortage of quality childcare in the area, the sisters established Maple Tree Childcare Center in 1991 in a renovated laundry building on the property.
“Also responding to the needs of the time, in 2006 we sold our monastery building (at 2675 Larpenteur Ave. in Maplewood) to Tubman, a (Minneapolis-based) organization which provides safety, hope and healing for those who have experienced trauma, and sold land to CommonBond Communities to build affordable and senior housing — two organizations that serve the needs of women, children and families,” Sister Catherine said.
In 2009, the sisters moved to their current, smaller monastery at 2675 Benet Road, adjacent to the former monastery. In addition to the chapel, the Benedictine Center and private space for the sisters, the building features a conference room, a dining room, an art gallery with rotating exhibits, an extensive library, a porch overlooking the grounds and a health care center for the sisters.
ANNIVERSARY BOOK
Walking Monastery Way: Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of St. Paul’s Monastery
The book is available through Amazon or by visiting the monastery.
The St. Paul’s community includes four Benedictine associates — single, Catholic women who make an annual commitment to engage in the ministries of the monastery. In addition, 170 oblates, lay men and women of various Christian faiths who associate themselves with a Benedictine monastery, have made a commitment to St. Paul’s.
“The oblates exemplify the Benedictine model of peace through a balance of prayer and ministry,” said Sister Catherine. “Our values speak to so many people, even in this day, and the oblates bring those values out into the world in a way we cannot do.”
As the sisters celebrate their 75th anniversary, they’re also looking ahead to the future.
“We’re aware of the fact that we continue to grow smaller in numbers, but our oblates continue to grow with the addition of 11 on this upcoming Pentecost, May 28,” said Sister Catherine. “The Benedictine values will continue beyond the last vowed member.”
The sisters have also entered a period of discernment through discussions with leadership at nearby Hill-Murray School (founded in 1971 by merging all-girls Archbishop Murray Memorial High School and Catholic all-boys Hill High School) about how to finalize the relationship between the school and the monastery in perpetuity.
“We’ve always had a strong connection with our neighbor Hill-Murray,” said Sister Catherine. “At one point, we even had sisters living over there in small rooms.”
As the sisters respond to the needs of the time, Sister Catherine notes the opportunities with Hill-Murray. Sister Linda Soler, for example, is in campus ministry at the school, serving as chaplain for several sports teams, including the varsity football team.
“How might this become a spiritual center for the entire campus? There’s such a need for peace, with all the challenges that youth are facing in life today,” said Sister Catherine.
“We’re taking time to listen to God’s will, and we have the expertise of Hill-Murray people and the sisters discerning with so much good energy,” she said.
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
St. Paul’s Monastery 75th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, June 24, noon-3 p.m.
2675 Benet Road, Maplewood
Benedictine Festival on the monastery grounds featuring food trucks, ice cream, donuts, Bingo, a raffle and music.
OTHER ANNIVERSARY ACTIVITIES
- Priory Preserve Pilgrimage: Saturday, July 8, 8-11 a.m.
- 40th Anniversary Celebration of The Benedictine Center: Tuesday, Aug. 15, 5-7:30 p.m.
- Blessing of the Animals: Sunday, Oct. 1, 1 p.m.
- 16th Christmas at the Monastery Celebration with online silent auction: Dec. 2-9
- Closing 75th Year Festival: Saturday, June 22, 2024 Stpaulsmonastery.org
