Experience the Monastery

Plan your visit and explore sacred spaces, retreats, and Benedictine life. Experience the peace, prayer, and hospitality of St. Paul’s Monastery.

Visitor Information

What to Expect When Visiting St. Paul’s Monastery

Life in a monastery offers a unique journey of deep spiritual commitment, communal living, and dedicated service to others. For many, the thought of joining a religious community evokes images of peaceful surroundings, quiet reflection, and a profound connection to faith. 

At St. Paul’s Monastery, our Benedictine Sisters embrace a monastic life devoted to glorifying God in all things and welcome all seekers of all Christian traditions to share the Benedictine way of life.

A Short History

St. Paul’s Monastery in Maplewood, Minnesota, is a vibrant Benedictine community of religious women with roots tracing back to 1852, when three sisters from Eichstätt, Bavaria, journeyed to St. Mary, Pennsylvania, to educate German immigrant children. In 1857, several sisters established a monastery in St. Joseph, Minnesota, which became the largest Benedictine women’s community globally. From this flourishing center, ten monasteries were founded, including St. Paul’s Monastery in 1948.

In response to the growing community, 178 sisters relocated from St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph to establish St. Paul’s Priory at 301 Summit Avenue in St. Paul. As the community expanded, they moved to a new monastery at 2675 Larpenteur Avenue in 1965, next to Hill-Murray School, which they built in 1958 and continue to serve to this day. In 2009, the Sisters sold their monastery building a new smaller monastery campus across the street.

In 1983, the Benedictine Center was founded by Sister Veronica Novotny, OSB, to extend the monastery’s spiritual heritage to the broader community. The Center offers retreats, spiritual direction, and programs rooted in Benedictine values such as hospitality, silence, and reverence for creation.

Today, St. Paul’s Monastery and the Benedictine Center continue to serve as sanctuaries of peace and prayer, welcoming all who seek spiritual nourishment and community.

Benedictine Value of Beauty

At St. Paul’s Monastery, the Benedictine value of beauty is lovingly expressed through sacred art, the tranquil labyrinth, and spaces crafted for contemplation. Beauty here is not mere decoration, but a reflection of God’s presence, inviting stillness, awe, and inner peace. The art gallery uplifts the spirit, showcasing works that inspire reflection and reverence. The outdoor labyrinth offers a meditative path, guiding pilgrims toward clarity and grace. Whether in the carefully tended gardens, the design of the chapel, or the gentle rhythm of daily prayer, beauty becomes a sacred encounter—awakening hearts to God’s harmony and the quiet joy of the present moment.

Pray with us

At St. Paul’s Monastery, praying the Liturgy of the Hours is the heartbeat of daily life, a sacred rhythm that sanctifies each moment with psalms, scripture, and silence. The Sisters gather three times a day in the chapel, lifting up prayers for the world, the Church, and all who seek peace. Guests are always welcome to join this ancient prayer, finding stillness and unity in God’s presence. Even from afar, the Monastery prays with and for you. Whether in times of joy or struggle, your intentions are lovingly held in this communal offering, a reminder that you are never alone in prayer.