Who We Are
Who We Are Today
The Benedictine Sisters of Erie have remained faithful to our monastic heritage for more than 150 years. Our life is centered in community, following the Rule of St. Benedict under the guidance of the Prioress. We are vowed in the Catholic tradition promising with perpetual vows: stability, fidelity to the monastic way of life and obedience. As a community we live a common life. We gather together in our chapel three times a day to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. We share meals, social activities and gather together to offer advice and counsel to the Prioress. Many of us work together in our community ministries.
Our History
The Benedictine Sisters of Erie trace our beginning to the Benedictine nuns at St. Walburg Abbey in Eichstatt, Bavaria, founded in 1035. Ever responsive to the call of God to serve others, three nuns were sent to St. Marys, Pa., in 1852 at the request of Father Boniface Wimmer, OSB, to educate the children of the newly arrived German immigrants.
In 1856, Mother Benedicta Reipp brought five Sisters to Erie from St. Marys to teach the children of German settlers, establishing the first community of women religious in the Erie area. Sister Scholastica Burkhard was appointed superior of the new community. In 1859, three Sisters were sent from Erie to Covington, Ky.,, to begin a new community and in 1861 three Erie sisters traveled to Chicago, Ill., to establish a community there. Both monasteries continue to be centers of Benedictine spirituality, hospitality and service to this day.
Charism Statement
The Benedictine way is to seek God in the communal life and to respond in prayer and ministry.
Corporate Commitment
As a community we have adopted a corporate commitment for peace. A corporate commitment is a vision or goal that we agree to promote as a community and as individuals no matter where we are or in how many diverse ministries we might be engaged. The corporate commitment of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie is:
As Benedictine Sisters of Erie we commit ourselves to be a healing
presence and prophetic witness for peace by working for sustainability
and justice, especially for women and children.