Sister Mary Ellen Plumb has taken her experience as an educator, her formation as a monastic and her years of living Benedictine life and guiding others in their spiritual search to a new forum: an online formation program open to all seekers at Monasteries of the Heart.

An outreach of the Benedictine Sisters, Monasteries of the Heart (monasteriesoftheheart.org) is a new monastic movement for persons interested in becoming part of a community of seekers, either online or with others in on-site groups. The initial text to form members in the basics of Benedictine spirituality is The Monastery of the Heart: An Invitation to a Meaningful Life by Joan Chittister.

Sister Mary Ellen has engaged many online members in a discussion of the text, a commentary on the 5th century Rule of Benedict. She makes use of a study guide that is available on the website to question and guide participants. "I am moved by the honesty of the sharing and inspired by the depth of commitment and struggle of so many who long for spiritual connections. This is an exciting moment, to be able to share the gift of Benedictine spirituality so broadly via the Monasteries of the Heart website," says Sister Mary Ellen. Visit Monasteries of the Heart.