Benedictine Sisters of Chicago     

Sister Karen Bland is being featured as one of six Catholic women religious who are making a difference in the United States, as part of the national #SisterToAll campaign. As Executive Director of Grand Valley Catholic Outreach, she has served those suffering from homelessness for 17 years and is known in Colorado for her leadership, in both preventing and ending homelessness. While other shelters give up on the chronically homeless, Sister Karen makes them a priority. Throu

After a combined 103 years of service to communities in Colorado, Sister Joan Hentges and Sister Johnette Sawyer have returned to St. Scholastica Monastery in Chicago. Of course, a sister never truly retires and these sisters are continuing their ministries in various ways. Sister Joan is serving as Associate Director with the Benedictine Oblates and as the contact person for Oblates living in Colorado. Sister Johnette has transfered her liturgy skills to the monastery and is

If you know Sister Eleanore Hillenbrand, you know she loves books. Originally an English teacher, Sister Eleanor also served as a school librarian under Sister Vivian and, in her retirement, has become the monastary's librarian. Every month she creates a suggested reading list for her fellow sisters. Among all the books she shares, we decided to ask Sister Eleanore for the five books that had a significant impact on her life as a woman of faith. She shared with us the top fiv

Peter Zonsius, affectionately known as “Uncle Pete,” thought about becoming a priest. But God had other plans. After returning from World War II, Uncle Pete married and raised a family, first at St. Hilary Parish and then later at St. John Brebeuf Parish. In his spare time, he began a life-long ministry of service. He made daily trips across the Chicago area, delivering coats, food, and other human essentials. The spirit with which he served was infectious. He soon began insp

Sister Vivian turns 102 on August 28th. From the women's suffrage to school desegregation, Sister Vivian has seen justice prevail throughout the last century and prays for more. During more than eight decades as a sister, she has served as a teacher in both Illinois and Arizona. In the late 1960s, she became the archivist for the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, a role she continues to this day. In addition to her work as an archivist, she is also an activist, advocating for

Tucked into a corner of the monastery is a multi-purpose room that transforms into a colorful art center on Thursday afternoons. If you enter, you’ll find elderly sisters intensely working over their creations with brushes and paints strewn across the table. It’s all thanks to the work of Matthew Ambre, a Benedictine Oblate of St. Scholastica Monastery. An Oblate is someone who dedicates themselves to following the Rule of Benedict and Benedictine spirituality in their everyd

We are excited to welcome our Rogers Park Neighbors to an Open House on Sunday, August 23rd between 1:00 and 4:30 p.m. The Sisters and Oblates are facilitating the afternoon with tours of the monastery and chapel. There will be information available about the Sisters' lives and current ministries. August 23rd is the monastery's "Founders Day" commemorating the beginning of the Chicago Benedictine community in 1861. All those who live in Rogers Park are welcome to attend. Se

Sister Margarita had thought about becoming a sister when she was in eighth grade, but it wasn't until she was in her 50s that she was in a place to pursue it. God's call to marriage, religious life, or the single vocation can come at any age, as this story in the Global Sisters Report shows. What's important is listening to that call and responding when you're able. The Sisters in the story shared a few reasons why becoming a sister after age 30 can be a gift to you and your

In a poignant and beautiful ceremony, three Benedictine sisters celebrated their Jubilees on Saturday, July 11th, the Feast of St. Benedict. A "jubilee" is an anniversary of a sister's profession to become a Benedictine sister. Among the three sisters celebrating this weekend, Sister Victoria Marconi and Sister Kathleen McNamara both celebrated 70 years and Sister Amy Campbell celebrated 75 years of being a Benedictine sister. Also celebrating their Jubilees this year (see ab

Lights twinkled on tables and smiles graced the faces of those who attended the 21st Annual Testimonial Dinner on Wednesday, June 10th. The annual event, held at the Park Ridge Country Club, benefits the elderly sisters and ministries of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Mary Ann Ahern, NBC Chicago's Political Reporter. She kicked off the evening with a vibrant speech, sharing her pride in being a Catholic and her affection for w

Do you wonder what direction your life will take? Explore your calling and join single women ages 18-49 for a discernment weekend at St. Scholastica Monastery. There will be time to reflect, prayer, and ponder what life has in store for you! If you are interested in learning more about the retreat or registering, contact Sister Belinda: vocation@osbchicago.org or call 773.338.7063. To learn more about vocations and where God may be calling you, visit the vocation pages on our

"If a Sister [or Brother] is commanded to do impossible things..." This is the title of a chapter from the Rule of Benedict and it goes on to describe how we can do anything with God. When we began the monastery's first website about 15 years ago, it felt like an impossible task. But we got it done, thanks to the help of some dedicated friends and the Spirit! The same is true of our new website. Thanks to the prayers and generosity of you--our friends and donors--and with th