Sr. Marianne Burkhard, OSB

Sister Marianne Burkhard, OSB

Sister Marianne Burkhard, OSB, was born in a small town near Zurich, Switzerland, and her life has been a series of unexpected steps.  Raised as a Protectant, she had traditional plans for her life including receiving an education, teaching at a college prep high school and having a family. 

After earning a Ph.D. in German and French literature, Marianne accepted a job as cultural editor at a daily newspaper.  A few years later, Marianne accepted a position as Assistant Professor of German at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.  During her tenure in academia, Marianne noticed that something deeper was missing in her life. 

Marianne’s search resulted in converting to Catholicism, and she also discovered spiritual direction.  After meeting Benedictine Sr. Audrey Cleary and visiting St. Mary’s Monastery in Nauvoo, Marianne understood that her teenage interest in monasteries was not a fantasy, but a call to monastic life.

At the age of 48, Sister Marianne entered the St. Mary Priory community in Nauvoo, IL, and made her first profession in 1990.  Later that year, she and the community accepted the Bishop’s offer to attend Canon Law school, beginning in 1993 her new life in service to Catholics needing help navigating the law of the church.  She worked for the diocesan Marriage Tribunal for 25 years, retiring in 2018.    

Sr. Marianne’s unexpected steps to monastic life taught her essential things about a faith-filled life of service.  She knows that religious life is full of opportunities and challenges, and that God was always “discerning my purpose from afar” (Psalm 139), gently guiding her life.