Students engage with Monastic life at retreat

The Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict hosted a monastic plunge last weekend.

Two CSB students, and two theology graduate students, joined the sisters for an immersive experience within monastery walls for the first time since 2012. Participants spent the weekend exploring all facets of the daily lives of the sisters, from meal times to daily prayer.

“It’s really to find out ‘what do these people do on the other side of campus all day?’” said Sister Pat Ruether, event organizer. “We want to get to know you people better and have them get to know us better too.”

The weekend was planned and executed by the vocation team of five sisters. Although the retreat was not aimed at young women seeking monastatic life, it gave an opportunity for students to explore the possibility.

“They had the vocation to monastic life somewhere in the back of their brain,” Ruether said. “It wasn’t something they were actively pursuing but I think it’s crossed their minds.”

Both CSB students in attendance were first-years.

“I wanted to see what it was like and explore the possibility that it was something I’d like to do in the future,” said Courtney Huiras, CSB first year. “I wanted to know if I could see myself in that situation.”

Activities began when participants arrived on Friday night with introductions and icebreakers. The next morning, the schedule included three Liturgy of the Hours prayer sessions and a tour of the sacred spaces. Cleaning the oratory prayer space, a prayer space located under Sacred Heart Chapel, was a large focus.

“For me, the highlight was cleaning the oratory,” said Sister Lisa Rose, vocation leader. “It wasn’t some back part of the monastery to clean, it was a place where we were actively involved during the day.”

Attendees joined the sisters in their living spaces for dinner after the busy day.

“Eating with the sisters and getting a tour of the monastery was a highlight for me,” Huiras said. “We basically live with the sisters, but we have no idea what they do every day.”

The sisters also shared their vocation stories and experiences within the monastery. Participants met with a variety of sisters in prayer, over meals, while touring, or during the celebration of the Eucharist.

“Some said they had a chance to ask for the sister’s vocation stories of how they came to the community,” Rose said. “There was a definite interest in learning how we decided to be here and ask questions.”

Although 15 spots were available, four were filled. The sisters predict the monastic plunge will likely be a twice-a-semester full-weekend experience. The monastery will be hosting an upcoming event on Earth Day as a shortened version of the retreat.

“It’s our dream to have more people attend, but probably not a full 15,” said Ruether. “We felt really good about the numbers and according to the participant’s evaluations they felt good about it too.”