The woman in initial monastic formation lives at the monastery and is immersed in community life and prayer.

Benedictine life is centered on community.
The Benedictine way of Christian life was not founded for any special work. Benedictines are to be living signs that strangers can come together in Christ, care for one another, support one another, challenge one another to grow. Our essential ministry is community.

The central figure in our community is the prioress who interprets the Rule of Benedict for us and serves as a spiritual guide. But all of us share in decision making, all of us shape community policy, all of us are responsible for helping the prioress discern wisely.

Benedictine life is nourished by the Scriptures.
Our common prayer, Liturgy of the Hours or Opus Dei, is based on the texts of the Hebrew and Greek Testaments; our personal reading and reflection, lectio divina, is centered on the Scriptures. If we are faithful, the Word of God enters our life and disrupts it. Often it impels us to disrupt the lives of others. Always it gives peace.