BUILD THE MONASTERY!
Welcome!
The Benedictine Sisters of Virginia are a vibrant monastic community of women who have served the people of Virginia for 150 years.
In the spirit of the 1500 year old tradition of the Benedictine Order, we commit our lives to seeking God in community. Through our prayer and our service, through our hospitality, compassion and mercy, and in all of our ministries, we hope to foster in our world a greater respect for the divine dignity of all people.
As Saint Benedict has instructed us:
“All are to be welcomed as Christ.”
Join us every Sunday at 9:00 A.M. for Mass in our chapel!
It's a Jubilee Year!
Join the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of our founding in Richmond, Virginia on May 1, 1868!
Catch up on our history by scrolling through our archive of stories, pictures, and prayers of thanksgiving for the goodness of God and all who have supported us for 150 years.
Saint Benedict Monastery continues to be home to 30 monastic women and the headquarters for our ministries: BEACON, Benedictine Pastoral Center, Place of Peace Columbarium, Benedictine Counseling Services, Linton Hall School, and Saint Gertrude High School (Richmond).
This year-long celebration will culminate on May 4, 2019 as we mark the 125th anniversary of our establishment in Bristow, Virginia with a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington.
Vision Statement
We, the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia, believing in the sacredness of all creation, claim monastic stewardship as our corporate witness.
As a community of monastic women with a contemplative vision, we are “impelled to preserve, cherish, and nurture all that is touched by the Creator’s hand.” —Of All Good Gifts
Out of our sense of reverence, hospitality, and responsibility, we commit ourselves in a spirit of peace to conserving, using, and sharing our gifts, resources, and heritage.
As we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.
(Rule of Benedict: Prologue)
Contemplative Prayer
Embracing a life of contemplative prayer and merciful works, we, the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia, warmly share our Benedictine charism with all who seek peace through understanding and a deepening spirituality.
Communal Prayer
Daily life in the monastery is comprised of communal prayer, meaningful ministry and the sharing of our common life. Praying the psalms, or the Liturgy of the Hours, at morning, midday and evening, we bring the needs of our world to the timeless praise of God.
Everyday Moments
Common meals, household chores, and holy leisure round out the monastic life. Essentially, we are sanctified by the daily – by seeking God in the everyday moments of life lived simply with gratitude and joy.
Our ministries reflect our Benedictine tradition of being of service to the people of our local area however needed.
- Linton Hall School, is a pre-K through 8th grade Catholic school for girls and boys
- Saint Gertrude High School, Richmond, Va is an all-girls Catholic High School in the Benedictine tradition
- The Place of Peace Columbarium, on the beautiful grounds of Saint Benedict Monastery, provides individual niches for the cremains of the departed.
- BEACON, an adult literacy program focuses on helping low-income immigrants learn English
- Benedictine Pastoral Center offers workshops and spiritual direction to help individuals deepen their personal relationships with God
- Benedictine Counseling Services, located in Richmond, provides mental health therapy and counseling for individuals and couples, as well as workshops and presentations for groups of any size.
