Vocations
"Place your hope in God alone." -Chapter 4, verse 41 from the Rule of Benedict
Are You...
HOPE
By Sister Mary Colleen Schwarz, OSB
From Fall Review 2018
As Christians, we must remember that we are all people of hope. We have a message of hope and we are called to embody this hope. We know of hope because the Holy Spirit reveals it to us.
Hope gives us patience.
Hope gives us confidence.
Hope fuels our perseverance.
Hope ensures us that the present cannot compare to the future.
Hope reminds us that we must understand the present while considering the promise of the future.
We are all called to be people of hope who proclaim, God is enough!
Monastic Way of Life: Come Share Your Passion with Us
- Being of loving service to others
- Reaching out through hospitality
- Embracing a simple lifestyle
We are committed to carry on our Benedictine charism and tradition into that future with the hope of contributing to the transformation of our world and society.
Benet Hill is a community that supports and challenges all who come and share our lives. We are Benedictine women who give special attention to our liturgical celebrations. We believe in the special giftedness of women and promote their full participation in church and society.
We move toward our preferred future as Monastic women
- WITH A PASSION FOR GOD
- WITH A PASSION FOR EACH OTHER
- WITH A PASSION FOR THE FUTURE
- WITH A PASSION FOR GOD’S PEOPLE
As Benedictine women, we give priority to the contemplative dimension of life through an atmosphere of prayerfulness and quiet. We gather for Liturgy of the Hours, Lectio Divina, Eucharistic Celebrations, Reconciliation.

Through our relationships with one another, we discover, discern and recognize our giftedness for life-giving service (Ministry). We work to act justly, love tenderly and to walk humbly with God within our community and with all God’s people. Some of our ministries include:
- Spirituality
- Retreats
- The Arts
- Pastoral Ministries
- Health Care
- Counseling
- Education
- Peace and Justice
Monastic Formation Process: Getting Acquainted with Community
The Affiliate phase is designed for the woman who is seriously discerning a call to Benedictine Life. Affiliation provides the opportunity for the individual to search out her life call in our lifestyle.
The Candidate phase is designed for the woman who requests admission in Benedictine Monastic Life at Benet Hill Monastery. The Candidate publicly states her intention to become a member. Candidacy lasts from nine months to one year.
After the woman successfully completes the Candidate phase, she enters the Novitiate – a time of intense spiritual preparation that lasts two years.
During the phase of the First Profession, the sister becomes now fully integrated into the Monastic Community and she begins a ministry.

Final Profession: After the phase of First Profession the sister makes her Final Vows – of stability, conversion through the monastic way of life, and obedience.

PLEASE CONTACT MARY COLLEEN SCHWARZ, OSB