150th Anniversary Former Sisters Registration
Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Our Founding
April 26, 27, 28, 2024
The Sisters of St. Benedict, St. Mary Monastery community will always be grateful for the contribution and life you shared with us as a former Sister. Whether you were with us for a short time or a longer one, you were part of us then, and are still a part of us now. As we celebrate our Benedictine life over the past 150 years, we invite you to join us for a “Celebration of Life and Memories” gathering on April 26-28, 2024 in Rock Island, IL.
In 1874, five valiant women from St. Scholastica Convent in Chicago, IL made their way to Nauvoo, IL. Ultimately, they made a new foundation in Nauvoo. Like those women, many others followed the Sisters to St. Mary Monastery, some staying for a short period of time, others for many years, and others for a life-time commitment. Each one left a gift of themselves amidst the community. We were brought together by God and have been gifted with each other. The Benedictine values of prayer, hospitality, and community have been and continue to be a source of strength and encouragement to all of us, and those with whom we share our lives.
Whatever vocation in life we have chosen, our current times hold their own unique challenges and opportunities. Only God can know the future, but like our five Sisters who pioneered this Benedictine community we go forward, reassured that God is with us.
We invite you to the former Sisters gathering at St. Mary Monastery from the evening of Friday, April 26th to Sunday noon, April 28th. Lunch and dinner will be provided on Saturday, and brunch on Sunday following Mass. There will be opportunities to gather with one another and the Sisters at the Monastery, time for conversation and leisure, tours of the current monastery building and grounds, and a brief video of the community’s history.
Hopefully you will also enjoy time to share memories, joys, laughs, and maybe even tears, as you re-connect with others, whether they were your teachers, or your students, or most importantly, your friends.
Please RSVP using the form on this page. For questions regarding housing, please call Sr. Jackie Walsh at (309) 283-2108.
May the Love of God and the Peace of Benedict be yours,
Sr. Susan Hutchens, OSB
Prioress