Christmas at the Monastery 2026
A New Way to Celebrate Together As we look ahead to Christmas at the Monastery 2026, I’m excited to share a refreshed and more intentional approach to our largest fundraiser of the year. Since joining St. Paul’s Monastery in September 2021, I’ve had the privilege of supporting many meaningful initiatives, and beginning in 2025, I […]
Finding God in Every Transition
Reflections from the Sisters on their Annual Silent Retreat Each summer, the Sisters of St. Paul’s Monastery set aside several days for their annual silent retreat—a cherished rhythm of Benedictine life that creates space for prayer, listening, and renewed attentiveness to God’s presence. This year’s retreat was led by Sister Dawn Annette Mills, OSB, major […]
78 Years of Gratitude, Memory, and Blessing
There are some gatherings that remind us why places like St. Paul’s Monastery matter. On Sunday, June 21, we welcomed about 30 guests to join the Sisters for Sunday Mass as we celebrated the 78th anniversary of the founding of St. Paul’s Monastery. Founded on June 22, 1948, the Monastery has stood for nearly eight […]
A Full House, Full Hearts, and a Taste of Benedictine Community at Mac’s Diner
Some evenings feel a little like a family reunion. That was certainly the case on June 29 as friends of St. Paul’s Monastery gathered at Mac’s Diner in North St. Paul for our annual Give Back Monday fundraiser (where 30% of all food and beverage ordered—provided you had the printed flyer—is donated back to the […]
Valiant Women: Sister Mary White
Sister Mary White will celebrate her 60th Jubilee as a Benedictine Sister of St. Paul’s Monastery on July 11, 2026: six decades of embracing her monastic profession. She recently reflected on this milestone anniversary and what it means to her. “It was a surprise for me to realize that it has been sixty years. It […]
It is Good to Be Human!
Come and discover a connection between your physical body and your spirituality – An Introduction to BSF, Level 1 Summer often reminds me of long days and evenings spent climbing trees in my backyard and roller skating along cracked sidewalks as a child. Now, active play as an adult looks like watching the changing seasons […]
Then and Now: A Story of Transformation
Transformation is woven throughout the Benedictine story. It is rarely sudden or dramatic. More often, it unfolds through faithful responses to changing circumstances, guided by prayer, community, and trust in God’s unfolding call. This can be illustrated well by an event which occurred almost ten years ago, the celebration of the Sisters’ 70th anniversary in […]
Milkshakes and Memories at Mac’s Diner
Without question Mac’s Diner is a special neighborhood diner. The old school atmosphere, the regular attendance of locals, their neighborhood history, and of course, the food. That is exactly why so many Sisters, staff members, volunteers, friends, and family are excited for our upcoming fundraiser on Monday, June 29. As we come closer to the […]
Valiant Women: Sister Carol Rennie, OSB; 1936-2023
Remembering Sister Carol Rennie This month, we remember Sister Carol Rennie, who passed away three years ago on May 26, 2023. Her funeral Mass was held June 3, 2023 at the Monastery, celebrated by Father Paul Feela, one of her students at the St. Paul Seminary. Excerpts from his eulogy follow, as he remembered the life […]
Reflections on Two Years of Benedictine Formation
As we conclude the second year of the Certificate in Benedictine Formation program at Hill-Murray School, I find myself deeply grateful, grateful for our students, grateful for our partnership with St. Paul’s Monastery, and grateful for the enduring wisdom of the Benedictine tradition that continues to shape lives in such meaningful ways. The Certificate in […]