Sisters embark on annual immersive faith tradition

The Luminous Lodge Retreat has been a tradition at St. Ben’s since the early 2010s. The retreat, led by Sister Laura Suhr (assistant vocation director/3g camp director), takes up to 17 Bennies to the Sisters’ Lodge in the Sisters’ woods on campus. At the lodge, students listen to a talk or presentation given by a sister or other relevant presenter, reflect and journal on discussion questions, partake in discussion of the presentation, engage in prayer and worship songs and enjoy homemade snacks and treats.

The Sisters’ Lodge, also called the Pavilion, was constructed in 1925-26 and renovated in 1962 to make it more habitable, which included winterizing it and adding heating and plumbing. The Lodge features a kitchen, two living rooms and a bedroom with three beds. There is no Wi-Fi to promote unplugging and connecting with nature.

The purpose of the Luminous Lodge Retreat aligns with the general mission of the Lodge.

“The purpose is to expose the students to nature and to our woods, to build relationships between sisters and students, to share an aspect of our Benedictine life with students [and] to have a little time for quiet,” Suhr said.

During the retreat, students are given journals and a list of questions to go along with a speaker’s talk.

This year, Sister Carlene presented about the life of her good friend and mentor Mother Henrita Osendorf. The Henrita Academic Building is named after Osendorf, former prioress and chair of the Board of Trustees of CSB. Inside the HAB there is also a large portrait of Osendorf, commissioned by Mr. and Mrs. Anderson of the Board of Trustees.

Osendorf said her perpetual vows in 1928, after deciding to join religious life at age 17.

“She had an experience of God [that] directed her life and let in rays of light, which altered the landscape,” Sister Carlene said.

Osendorf completed her bachelor’s degree at St. Ben’s in 1936 and went on to earn her masters in library science from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Osendorf became the head librarian at CSB and was a spiritual director before being elected prioress. As prioress, Osendorf held multiple concurrent positions, such as chair of the board of trustees for the College, as well as a position on the board of trustees for St. Cloud Hospital.

Sister Carlene recalls Osendorf’s spiritual qualities, which persisted through Osendorf’s memory loss in her elder years.

“I know I was not the only sister who was moved to tears by her countenance when she was in communication with God. She took literally the words of our Lord: you are my friend.,” Sister Carlene said.

After this discussion on Osendorf, participants were given a list of questions such as, “All of you have formed friendships with others. What main thing did you have to do to make that friendship deepen and grow?”

Next on the evening’s roster was a candle-illuminated walk to the statue of Mary in the Sisters’ woods, followed by Sister Lisa Rose’s homemade caramel dip with fresh apples and popcorn. The evening was finished with worship songs played by a Bennie alum around a campfire stoked by Sister Janelle.

The Luminous Lodge Retreat happens every fall in September or October, and students do not need to be oblates or considering religious life to join. Contact Suhr for more details. lsuhr001@csbsju.edu.