Benedictine Sisters of Chicago
Become who God made you to be.
Programs and Events
The Benedictine Sisters offer occasional days of retreat and spirituality programming.
For information about the Annual Testimonial Dinner, click here.
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A Free Will Offering can be made for the following Programs and Events offered by the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago here -
Heavenly Illuminations: Small Works of Sr. Celestine Fischer, OSB, 1872-1953
A Presentation by Sister Virginia Jung, OSB
Wednesday, January 4, 2023, 7:00 p.m. Central Time
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Sr. Celestine Fischer, OSB was an art teacher and an artisan of the monastery. This presentation from the archives looks at some of the miniature illuminations she began to create when she was in her 70s.
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
7:00-8:00 p.m. via Zoom
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Registration is required.
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Free will offering benefits the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago www.osbchicago.org/donate
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God Reflected- Book Discussion Group
With Sister Pat Coughlin, OSB
We will meet twice a month from January through April at 7:00 p.m.
Dates: Jan. 16 and 30, Feb. 13 and 27, March 13 and 27, April 3 and 24
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FULL. Please email communications@osbchicago.org to be placed on a waiting list.
This book by Flora Keshgegian is premised on the idea that everything we say about
God is metaphorical. Keshgegian begins with a chapter on metaphor and goes on to
explore seven metaphors for God. She features what she sees as the strengths and the
limitations of each metaphor and what each has to say about the will of God.
As she says, “Asking questions, reflecting on faith, and thinking critically are all part of
faith seeking understanding and the search for truth and a faith that is meaningful and
Life-giving.”
The Book is God Reflected: Metaphors for Life. Fortress Press Minneapolis, 2008.
Free will offering benefits the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago www.osbchicago.org/donate
Lay Off the Horn, Please: Patience in the Rule of Benedict
With Sister Susan Quaintance, OSB
Oblate Lecture Series
Sunday, February 19, 2023, 3:00 p.m. Central Time
Road rage. Expectations of immediate gratification. The absence of civility. Rising rates of suicide. We don’t have to look very hard to see that the world in 2023 is a place where patience is in short supply. Though all of us have had to endure a pandemic that went on for much longer than we ever imagined, the experience does not seem to have developed our capacities for forbearance or compassion.
Though there is no chapter on “Patience” in the Rule of Benedict, a careful examination of how and when he used the word reveals an understanding of this quality that is both down-to-earth and theologically rich. We’ll explore what Benedictine life’s foundational document has to say about patience and how it might help us live in a world where impatience reigns.
Free will offering benefits the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago www.osbchicago.org/donate
Image courtesy of Oblate Tammy Perlmutter.
Life Giving Water in the City of God and the City of Chicago-A Lenten Mini-Retreat
With Sister Virginia Jung, OSB
Wednesday, March 1, 2023, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Central Time
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Sister Virginia Jung, OSB will host an in-person mini-retreat during Lent entitled: "Life Giving Water in the City of God and the City of Chicago." Practice lectio divina with Scripture visions of the river of life and participate in a theological reflection on our connection with water here on the shore of the Great Lakes on Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Registration is Required for this in-person offering.
Any questions or concerns, please email Communications Coordinator, Siobhan O'Neill Meluso smeluso@osbchicago.org
Free will offering benefits the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago www.osbchicago.org/donate
Image courtesy of Benedictine Sisters of Chicago Archives
On the Road with Sr. Vivian Ivantic, OSB – Archiving the Summer Schools of Religion
With Sister Virginia Jung, OSB
Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 7:00-8:00 p.m. Central Time via Zoom
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In the Summer of 1989, community archivist, Sr. Vivian Ivantic, OSB, with her able assistants, Sr. Jeanne Hegarty, OSB and Sr. Eleanore Hillenbrand, OSB set out across the highways and byways of Colorado. Their mission was to locate sites and track down data about summer schools staffed by our Sisters from 1920s – 1980s. This presentation, built on the work of Sr. Vivian Ivantic, OSB and DePaul students Emma Benson, Tinsae Tessema, and Spozmai Khan shares some of the sights and stories that they brought back to the archives.
Registration is Required.
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Any questions or concerns, please email Communications Coordinator, Siobhan O'Neill Meluso smeluso@osbchicago.org
Free will offering benefits the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago www.osbchicago.org/donate
World Labyrinth Day
Walk. Pray. Discover.
Saturday, May 6, 2023, Noon-8:00 PM
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Take a journey of the spirit and join us for World Labyrinth Day. Learn about
this ancient spiritual practice, meet new friends, and take a prayerful walk
on our monastery’s labyrinth. As you walk, you’ll discover why this practice is
called a pathway to peace.
There will be an introduction at Noon and a closing ceremony at 8 pm.
Feel free to come throughout the day. The Regional Representative of the Labyrinth Society, builder of this labyrinth, and Oblate at this Monastery, Dan Raven, will be available all day to assist with your questions and discuss your insights. New and experienced labyrinth walkers welcome! If there is rain, there will be a portable labyrinth available in a dry, indoor area.
Learn more: www.osbchicago.org/programs
or contact the Communications Coordinator at 773.764.2413 x232, communications@osbchicago.org
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Lectio Divina Opportunities
Sister Patricia Crowley, OSB, is offering a monthly practice session of Lectio Divina on the third Thursday of the month. All are welcome! These sessions are for those who are more experienced in this spiritual practice.
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All are welcome!
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Scripture passages will be provided. Bring a journal if you wish!
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To learn more or to register, contact Sister Patricia Crowley, OSB, 773.764.2413 x248 or pcrowley@osbchicago.org
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Attend Your Reunion
SSA Chicago graduates meet every five years for their reunions. In 2023 we will celebrate the classes ending in '3 and '8 over the weekend on September 16-17.
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For more information visit the Reunion page here.
Ongoing Events
Our community has taken corporate stands against the death penalty, torture, excess military expenditures, and human trafficking. We also participate in activities to promote racial justice and compassionate immigration policy and are a sponsoring member of 8th Day Center for Justice. If you would like to be notified of future events so you can join in our justice efforts, please email Sister Benita Coffey and asked to be placed on her list.