SISTERS OF SAINT BENEDICT OF MADISON / BENEDICTINE WOMEN OF MADISON
AIMS STATEMENTS
MISSION
The Sisters of Saint Benedict, through its dependent ecumenical monastery, Benedictine Women of Madison, is an ecumenical monastic community of women who follow the Benedictine tradition. More specifically, Sisters of Saint Benedict exists so that:
- there is union with God and other people through a life of prayer, study, hospitality and community.
- there is reverence for creation and a sense of the sacredness of our surroundings; enhancement of the holiness of our natural and human environments, as well as the sacredness of our monastic space, and a reminder to present and future generations of the presence of God in the world.
- there is unity of humankind and an atmosphere of respect overcoming barriers of race, gender, culture, and religion that divide us from one another and draw us into dialogue with other Christian and faith traditions both locally and globally.
- there are spiritual resources for enrichment and growth for our guests and monasteries of women throughout the world.
MONASTIC ECUMENICAL COMMUNITY
Christian women of any denomination or church affiliation are accepted as full members of the Monastery of Saint Benedict Center. The monastic community, inspired by the ancient and living spirit of the Rule of Benedict, living a disciplined life of prayer, study and work, shares in the wisdom and experience of the Christian churches.
COMMUNITY WORSHIP
Since Benedictine community life is worship in its broadest sense, our community worship:
- honors the richness of Christian traditions which emphasize Word and Sacrament and strives to deepen our encounter with Christ and the Gospel by listening deeply to each other.
- honors both pluralism of liturgical forms and the need to respect the integrity of each form. With respect to the Eucharist, we recognize that differences exist among Christians. Provisions will be made to respect the consciences of all members. They shall have equal access, according to their needs and desires, to the eucharistic celebration of their respective church traditions.
- is faithful to the Benedictine tradition of Liturgy of Hours and encourages renewal of forms, music and readings while maintaining a scriptural and liturgical basis for the spiritual life of our members and the wider community.
MONASTIC ENVIRONMENT
The Benedictine monastic environment at Saint Benedict Center is responsive to the Holy:
- in each person
- in ordinary life
- in nature
- in worship
by its simplicity, its hospitality, its esteem for beauty, its attention to rhythms in liturgy and life.
SPIRITUAL RESOURCES
As a place of prayer and study in the tradition of Benedictine spirituality we offer and receive the gifts of education and spiritual formation with our guests, our community, and our world. These gifts include:
- a place of quiet and contemplation in which to worship, study and grow in love;
- spiritual guidance and retreats;
- careful stewardship of the environment and values of ecumenical community living in a pluralistic culture;
- resources in our local area through the Benedictine Chair program and participation in church and community programs that further our ecumenical vision;
- hospitality to visitors from around the globe and specific mission links throughout the world. We are enriched in return with many gifts given us by our local and global sojourners;
- a monastic library which is a resource for community members, co-workers and guests; and
- an archives and records retention facility which maintains legal, financial and historical records of the community and its monastic works.
HOSPITALITY
All children of God, but especially strangers, immigrants, and the poor, are welcomed as Christ. All guests are invited to prayer.
In our welcoming environment Sisters of Saint Benedict hope all who come find peace and purpose in their lives to share with us and others in their work and in the world.
REVERENCE FOR CREATION
Let all things be regarded as “vessels of the altar” (Rule of Benedict: 31, 10).
A spirit of reverence for all creation permeates the Rule, together with a sense of oneness with the land, the days, and the seasons. Such conscious respect for all created goods makes it impossible to pollute land, water, or air, to waste resources, or to forget about the children who will one day inhabit the earth. (Excerpted from Of All Good Gifts, “Use of Created Goods” published by Conference of American Benedictine Prioresses, June 19, 1980)
Specifically, the ecosystem is a lived model of preservation to be experienced by all who live work and visit Saint Benedict Center. All guests are to be invited to experience the restorative nature of the sacred space in the environment at Saint Benedict Center.
- Protect the natural resources and habitats at Saint Benedict Center
- Maximize the efficient use of natural resources (fuel, electricity, water)
- Recycle all things that can be
- Compost all things that can be
- Safely incinerate all things that can be