Vowed Life as a Benedictine

     At a recent Listen retreat held here at St. Walburg Monastery some of the young women wanted to know more about "vowed life." The topic is broad and may seem a little abstract. I interpret it in a Benedictine sense.

     "Vowed life" means consecrated life or a religious vocation. Both terms refer to a person's response to God by way of a public promise or profession. For Benedictines that includes the community confirmation of her profession to live and grow together in a lifelong relationship with God.

     For Benedictines "vowed life" means participation in a continuing communal commitment to Christ. Benedictines publicly profess three monastic vows which guide and free us to live together and love wholeheartedly. The three monastic vows are: Stability in a particular monastic community, which supports a woman's celibacy; Obedience according to the norms of the Gospel, the rule of Benedict and the Federation's Constitutions. Obedience is shown by the sister's living response to her prioress, her sisters, and the Church with its chief pastor, the Pope; Fidelity to the monastic way of life, which means living out Gospel values with single-heartedness, turning from self-centeredness, and holding all goods in common with her sisters. Common ownership as an effect of Benedictine monastic profession means that we provide for and share life with one another.

     Benedictines give priority to prayer and community because this is where our lifelong search for God happens. We structure our lives to support these essential elements and our mission "to serve Christ in the young and the old, the sick and the poor, the stranger and the guest." Since formation takes place in the center of the community's life, the monastery provides for each member's growth and well-being, physical, spiritual, social, emotional, educational and professional.

      As you see, "vowed life" is a broad topic and involves several other concepts, like authority, belonging, talents, individuality, personalities, relationships, abilities, collaboration, cooperation, etc. Because the long Benedictine tradition of vowed life is an unique call to practical reverences, adaptability and hospitality, these topics are relevant daily.    Sr. Martha Walther, OSB