Mount Saint Benedict Monastery
620 Summit Ave.
Crookston MN 56716-2799

Phone: 218-281-3441

 

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Steps to becoming a sister

From the first time you feel compelled to explore life in total service to God, your questions will outweigh the answers. As you search, your sisters in Christ at Mount Saint Benedict will help you find the answers you are looking for.

Your path to sisterhood is an extensive and thoughtful one that includes these phases:

1. Contact and explore--Do you hear God's call to monastic life?

The initial step a woman takes is one of getting to know  us and our way of life and reflecting about whether God may be calling her to become a Sister at MSB. Coming to know us happens best by experience through: 1) Numerous visits to the monastery, including retreat experiences; or 2) Experiencing life at the monastery through participating several months in our Live-in Volunteer Program; or 3) Living at Mount Saint Benedict through our MSB Shared Housing.

Postulancy--What is life like in a community such as Mount Saint Benedict?

The process begins when a woman enters as a postulant for a six to twelve month period of open discernment, taking classes, participating more in the ministry and life at the monastery, and meeting regularly with her director for support, guidance, and instruction.

Novititate--Are you ready to take the next step, spiritually?

The next step, a minimum of one full year as a novice, is one of more intense spiritual formation in preparation for her monastic profession to God and the community.  Under the guidance of her director, she develops increasing awareness of herself as a Benedictine through personal and communal prayer, and through her studies of prayer and liturgy, the Rule of Benedict, Benedictine spirituality and monastic profession.

First Monastic Profession--Where do I fit in the community?

The Sister makes her commitment to God and the community for a period of three years.  This period can be lengthened if needed.  She continues to develop her identity as a member of the community and begins ministry in the name of the community.

Final Monastic Profession--Prefer nothing to the love of Christ!

When the Sister is ready to make a life-long commitment to God as a Sister of Saint Benedict of Crookston, she makes final monastic profession and fully participates in the community and its work.

Contact: Sister Anne DeMers

 

Opportunities for discernment

Requirements for monastic life