Summer Events at St. Paul's Monastery

The Sisters are excited to welcome you to several events over the course of the summer! June is Founding Month. On June 22, 1948 the foundation of St. Paul's Priory was canonically erected when 178 vowed Sisters elected Mother Loraine Tracy as the first Prioress of St. Paul's Priory (now St. Paul's Monastery).

What a journey these last 76 years have been for our Sisters and all they served through the many ministries, values, and practices they've shared with us.

Please join us for a summer full of fun celebrating 76 years of Benedictine life and mission here in the archdiocese.

June 9 | Mass & Brunch welcoming home Former Members of the Monastery
Former vowed members of St. Paul's Monastery gather for Mass and Sunday Brunch with the Community.

Register for Mass and Brunch

June 10-14 | Annual Sisters Retreat with Father Cyprian Consiglio, OSB Cam

Fr. Cyprian is a Camaldolese monk, musician, composer, author, and teacher. Besides his numerous musical collections, he has published four books: Prayer in the Cave of the Heart, Spirit, Soul, Body, The God Who Gave You Birth (Liturgical Press) and Rediscovering the Divine (Orbis); and has written numerous articles on spirituality and interreligious dialogue as well as on music and liturgy. He will present two conferences each weekday at 9:30am and 3:30pm. These will be livestreamed on the Sisters YouTube channel. Please pray for the Sisters as they spend the week in silent reflection and spiritual renewal.

June 22 - August 15 | Summer Raffle Sales

Tickets from Founding Day to the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased from Mission Advancement or through the Monastery's raffle ticket volunteer sellers (want to help!? Contact Jason Wittak).

This year's raffle is generously sponsored by Saint Therese and Hill-Murray School!

• Outdoors Package | Outfit you next camping or water sports trip using a $400 gift card to REI. Pick out what you need and then head to the great outdoors.  
• Vineyard Experience | Visit 7 Vines Vineyard and Winery, Dellwood, Minnesota with friends and family. $360 in gift cards. 
• Day at the Spa Package | Gather your friends and family for a day of pampering and relaxation at Just for Me “the Spa” in Stillwater. Customize your group’s experience with the staff and then let the relaxation begin. $400 gift value.  
• Fun for the Whole Family | Take the whole family out for a day of fun or host a party at Sky Zone trampoline park with gift cards valued at $400 total. Locations in Oakdale, Maple Grove, Blaine, Edina, Eagan.  
• Blackstone 36-inch Grill | Elevate your entertaining and food options for friends and family with a Blackstone 36 Inch Gas Griddle Cooking Station plus grill cover. 
• 55-inch 4K UHD INSIGNIA TV | All-in-one entertainment TV with Alexa voice. With Fire TV built-in, you can enjoy a world of entertainment from apps like Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu. 

June 22 | Pilgrimage through the Priory Preserve

The pilgrimage returns! Last summer 20 pilgrims gathered to prayerfully walk through the Priory Preserve (former property of our Sisters along Larpenteur and Century Avenues. This prayer walk stops 12 times along the 1.5 miles of trail to worship God in the beauty of creation. It feels similar to Stations of the Cross with readings from the Rule of St. Benedict, Sacred Scripture, excerpts from Pope Francis' letter on the environment, and a lot of sacred silence in the presence of nature. Learn more and register soon! Space is limited.

Register for Pilgrimage

June 22 | Mass & Cookout with the Sisters on Founding Day

Join the Sisters to celebrate the 76th anniversary of their founding with an 11:30am celebration of the Eucharist with Father John Mitchell and a cookout to follow (burger, brats, potato salad!).

REGISTER FOR COOKOUT

June 23 | Mass & Blessing of New Pavers
The Sisters honor newly purchased and installed commemorative pavers following the Sunday 11:00am Mass. Several pavers that had worn down inscriptions have been replaced and will also be blessed. Following Mass and the Blessing, guests are invited to join the Sisters for brunch in the Dining Room.

REGISTER FOR THE BLESSING

July 11 | Feast of St. Benedict & the 70th Jubilee of Sister Susan Bourauel, OSB
Many of our Sisters made their profession on the Feast of Saint Benedict (July 11). 70 years ago, Sister Susan professed her commitment to the Benedictine way of life and this monastic community. Join the Sisters in celebrating Sister Susan. Please call the Monastery if you'd like to attend the Mass and join Sister Susan for lunch.

July 14 | Mass & Brunch featuring the Monastery's newest ministry Benedictine CARE
Benedictine CARE Integrates Contemplative Practices, the Benedictine Monastic Heritage, and Therapeutic Lifestyle Programming. Old habits, choices we no longer want to make, overindulgences, and living within a loud culture all amplify internal static that makes it almost impossible to hear, to listen, to our embodied true selves anymore. This inability to listen, to be guided by our internal wisdom, creates disconnection. It amplifies the desire for instant gratification, anything to provide temporary comfort or distraction, at the expense of long-term goals and nurturing relationships. In Benedictine CARE, you are guided in the contemplative practices of Centering Prayer and Bio-Spiritual Focusing to start calming this internal static. Join the Sisters and Teri Rose, founder and director of Benedictine CARE, for Mass and Brunch to learn more about this important new ministry.

Register for Mass and Brunch

August 11 | Mass & Brunch for Donors

The fiscal year for the Monastery ends on August 31. All donors from this last year are invited to gather at the Monastery for the celebration of Mass followed by brunch in the Dining Room. Join the Sisters and witness first hand the impact of your financial support and the gift of your time as volunteers to the Monastery and Benedictine Center.

Register for Mass and Brunch

August 15 | Assumption Day Celebration with Trivia Mafia

Weekends in August are precious and often involve travel and other commitments. Thankfully, the Solemnity of the Assumption is on Thursday! Join the Sisters for a fun evening with a great cookout, Trivia Mafia on the grass, and the final chance to purchase raffle tickets. Winning raffle tickets will be pulled that evening!

REGISTER FOR ASSUMPTION DAY

Want to volunteer?

Volunteers make all of the above possible! Volunteering your time is a significant donation to the Monastery. Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome at the Monastery not just for events but for regular on-going ministries as well. Contact Jason Wittak at 651-777-8181, ext. 409 or jwittak@stpaulsmonastery.org for more information and to get started.

I'm ready to volunteer!

Could you sponsor summer events?
Sponsorship gifts of all sizes help offset costs to the Sisters to host events and to regularly host retreatants and other Monastery guests throughout the year. This year's summer events are sponsored by Saint Therese and by Hill-Murray School. If you'd like to join our two sponsors with a gift of your own you may make a gift online or contact Travis Salisbury, director of mission advancement, at 651-777-8181, ext. 403.

DONATE A SPONSORSHIP

Be sure to save the date for

October 5 | Blessing of the Animals
Join the Sisters on Saturday morning for our 3rd annual Blessing of the Animals. Bring your pets to the Monastery to receive a blessing and also a Monastery pet bandana and blessed Benedictine Medal for your pet's collar.

November 1 | All Saints Day Mass & Meal
Former members of the Monastery, and all friends and family of the Sisters, are invited to join the Sisters for 11:30am Mass in celebration of All Saints Day followed by the midday meal.

November 2 | All Souls Day Celebration
Join the Sisters in honoring all deceased members of the Monastic community with Evening Prayer and a blessing of the cemetery. Dinner and memory sharing to follow in the dining room.

Christmas at the Monastery (more information coming soon ... but save the dates!!!)

• December 7-14 | Silent Auction
• December 7 | Advent Retreat
• December 8 | Mass & Brunch with the Sisters
• December 10 | Wine Tasting Evening with Haskell's
• December 12 | Cookies & Carols with the Sisters
• December 14 | Closing Celebration with Trivia Mafia