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After much prayer and discernment, it became clear in 2014 that St. Joseph Monastery, St. Marys, PA, the first Benedictine women’s foundation in North America (1852), would need to close due to a climbing median age and the lack of new members....
About the Benedictine Sisters of Erie
Corporate Commitment
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.Charism Statement
A charism is a particular way in which people respond to God's call. A community’s charism embodies the way the members carry out their mission and ministries. The Benedictine charism is:
The Benedictine way is to seek God in the communal life and to respond in prayer and ministry.Common Life
Community
Life as a Benedictine Sister of Erie 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. A commitment to the common good and respect for each other support us in our search for God and nurture the bonds of community.
Prayer and Liturgy
As Benedictine women, prayer is central to our monastic life. The community gathers three times a day for the Liturgy of the Hours, the basis of our communal prayer. The festive marking of Sunday, along with the great feasts and seasons of the liturgical year, includes the celebration of Eucharist as well. Daily lectio divina, occasional reconciliation services, and various annual events complete the community’s liturgical life.
Ongoing Formation
How does one keep fresh and alive the energy and joy of responding to one’s call to monastic life? The community’s commitment to continuing education – to our On-going Formation Program – is one way. This program is implemented through a series of regularly scheduled community meetings. The meetings focus on areas that will aid in our growth and development as human persons and monastic women in church and society.
Ministry
Ministry is an integral part of monastic life. Inspired by the Gospel and the Rule of Benedict we respond to the needs of God’s people. We steward the gifts, talents and skills that have been given to us and extend them through service. Community and non-community ministries alike provide the opportunity for meaningful work that is consistent with our monastic commitment to glorify God in all things.
Community Life
Rock Out Erie: Kids Cafe
“When we walked back from Perry Square yesterday, we picked up random stones and rocks along the way,” said Ebony King, staff member at the Kids Cafe. “Today we are painting the rocks and soon we’ll hide them all over downtown as a part of Rock...
Our Employees are the Best
It was a perfect summer day for the Employee Picnic. Employees and their families joined the sisters for the annual appreciation event. Food, fun and friendship were shared; games and swimming were enjoyed. “Our employees are very special...
Good News! $10 000 ASHRAE LEVEL II Energy Audit Grant
The Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund awarded the Benedictine Sisters of Erie a $10,000 ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) Level II energy audit grant to possibly cover 5 of the Benedictine inner city...
Sisters minister to rural poor and incarcerated
Sister Marian Wehler, OSB and Sister Tina Geiger, RSM, have been working in Catholic Rural Ministry (CRM) in the Oil City Deanery in the Erie Diocese, Sister Marian for 10 years and Sister Tina for 5 years. Recently, they were interviewed by...
The Benedictine Sisters of Erie trace their beginnings to the Benedictine nuns at St. Walburg Abbey in Eichstätt, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 1035. Sisters from there first came to St. Marys, PA in 1852 to educate the children of the newly arrived German immigrants.