Valiant Women: Sister Mary Lou Dummer
As September begins with the excitement of back-to-school activities, we remember Sister Mary Lou Dummer, who would celebrate her birthday on September 21. She loved the Oblates and getting ready for the start of the new formation year. At the end of August, Sister Mary Lou always convened the new Oblate class with an introductory […]
Building Community One Spin at a Time
It is a gift having Tubman shelter as our neighbor, but we don’t often have the chance to meet. National Night Out has become one of the few occasions when the Sisters and Monastery staff can step away from their daily responsibilities and spend time connecting with the adults and children who call Tubman home. […]
The Body Knows
For thousands of years, wisdom teachers from every spiritual tradition have taught there is more than one way of “knowing”. Beyond our usual way, which involves thinking with our heads, these wisdom figures have discovered a way of knowing that comes from our bodies as well. And unlike head knowledge, wisdom residing in our bodies […]
What is Spiritual Direction?
Spiritual direction is a reflective and prayerful relationship in which one person (the “director”) accompanies another as they explore their spiritual life and seek a deeper awareness of God. Despite its name, spiritual direction is less about giving direction and more about attentive listening, thoughtful questions, and discernment. The spiritual director creates a confidential, welcoming […]
Reflection and Creativity: The Labyrinth, Poetic Medicine, and SoulCollage®
Offer a welcoming space where everything is invitational. Hear all voices. Introduce a “third thing” that bridges connection between people. Build community and witness each other. We come together, open to weaving together who we are, our experiences, reflection, and creativity. The insights that get harvested are treasures that may have been laying in wait […]
Valiant Women: Sister Veronica Novotny, OSB
It all started with her vision There are moments when I walk through the halls of the Benedictine Center and the Monastery common rooms early in the morning—before retreatants wake, before conversations begin, while the Monastery is quietly keeping watch in prayer—and I find myself wondering about those who walked these same halls before me […]
Hail Holy Queen
August 15, Rome Feast of the Assumption On August 15, 2026, Pope Leo XIV will celebrate the Feast of the Assumption in Castel Gandolfo. This location has served as the traditional summer holiday of Popes for centuries. The Holy Father will join pilgrims and faithful in honoring St. Mary during a noontime Angelus in the […]
Lighting the Way
In his 2011 book, Dark Ages America, Morris Berman explored what he saw as the startling decline of Western society and what the “first Dark Ages” might teach us. Among his captivating ideas was that monasteries during the Dark Ages were beacons of light for people, not to hide from the realities of the day […]
Their Lives are the Homily
St. Paul’s Monastery Celebrates the Jubilees of Sisters Mary White and Margaret Kramer On the Feast of St. Benedict, Saturday, July 11, St. Paul’s Monastery gathered in thanksgiving to celebrate two remarkable milestones of faithful service. Sister Mary White marked her 60th Jubilee, while Sister Margaret Kramer celebrated her 70th Jubilee, surrounded by family, friends, […]
St. Paul’s Monastery Art Gallery
St. Paul’s Monastery Art Gallery Open daily 9:00 am-5:00 pm Tel. 651-777-8181 The Monastery Art Gallery is a sacred space for fine art, with exhibits changing six times per year. The gallery is open to the public daily from 9:00-5:00 pm and is located in the narthex area of the Monastery just inside the main […]