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Fall Reflection with God
As the leaves change and the air grows crisp, autumn invites us to slow down and reflect on the cycles of life and faith.
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Self-Guided Discernment Retreat
This online, self-paced retreat will help you discern God’s calling in your life!
Sisters of St. Benedict
St. Mary Monastery
We are the monastic Sisters of St. Benedict at St. Mary Monastery, Rock Island, IL. Originally from Nauvoo, we have lived and served in the Quad-City area since 2001.
As Benedictines, we live, work, and pray by our five values: Prayer, Community, Hospitality, Peace and Justice, and Care of Creation.
We invite you to explore our site to learn more about joining us as a Sister, oblate, or volunteer, or through our retreat center.
Our Prayer
We gather to pray three times each day during the Liturgy of the Hours. This practice shapes our daily lives and reminds us of our Benedictine calling. We invite you to join us as we pray for the world.
Retreats
Continue your spiritual growth from anywhere in the world with virtual programming from Benet House Retreat Center.
Oblates
Oblates are lay people, men and women, who live Benedictine values. Oblate groups meet regularly - find one near you.
Join Us For A Retreat
Click on any retreat below to learn more or sign up.
Weekly on Tuesdays: October 20th, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: October 21st, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: October 26th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Read, reflect, pray, and share with other committed Christians seeking to grow through the challenges of Scripture in everyday life.
Weekly on Tuesdays: October 27th, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: October 28th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Weekly on Tuesdays: November 3rd, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: November 4th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
In this special program, reflecting on the life, works and thought of Archbishop Sheen, we have the opportunity to be led to a deeper relationship with God. Renewing and strengthening our relationship with God provides us with inspiration and wisdom to serve all within our daily life.
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: November 9th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Read, reflect, pray, and share with other committed Christians seeking to grow through the challenges of Scripture in everyday life.
Weekly on Tuesdays: November 10th, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
This morning mini retreat focuses on the ancient prayers of the Psalms. Jesus prayed the Psalms, as all Jews did. The Psalms have a rich history and meaning that apply to our lives today. Using the Bible Today journal, we will read articles on an aspect of the Psalms and reflection questions for our discussion.
Weekly on Wednesdays: November 11th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Savor this silent, directed retreat. Get away and make time to discover how you are connected to the Vine, to Jesus. Meet daily with a spiritual director and reflect on what it means to abide and what is needed to make good fruit.
Weekly on Tuesdays: November 17th, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: November 18th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Meets 3rd Thursdays of the month, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Virtual - All skill levels are welcome to join in the monthly ‘mini-retreat’ focused on connecting with the Divine through poetry.
Enter a sacred rhythm of peace and simplicity at Benet House Retreat Center Quad Cities Taizé Prayer Services. These meditative evenings are marked by gentle chants, short readings and extended moments of silence.
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: November 23rd, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Read, reflect, pray, and share with other committed Christians seeking to grow through the challenges of Scripture in everyday life.
Thomas Merton is a beloved spiritual author, poet, artist, and theologian. During his lifetime, he addressed social and theological issues, as well as everyday life, in ways that still inspire Christians today. In this monthly series, the Mystics podcast, featuring James Finley, is our discussion focus. Finley breaks open Merton's life and several of his writings to help us discover the mystic side of Merton.
Weekly on Tuesdays: November 24th, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: November 25th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Weekly on Tuesdays: December 1st, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: December 2nd, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
We know so little of Mary’s life, only a few passages on Mary are in the Bible. The Gospel of Luke does contain several experiences of Mary. Join this retreat and take 24 hours to ‘hide’ away into the quiet. This is an opportunity to ponder the birth of Jesus, our Savior, through the eyes of His Mother, Mary.
Weekly on Tuesdays: December 8th, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, 2nd Tuesdays of each month
This morning mini retreat focuses on the ancient prayers of the Psalms. Jesus prayed the Psalms, as all Jews did. The Psalms have a rich history and meaning that apply to our lives today. Using the Bible Today journal, we will read articles on an aspect of the Psalms and reflection questions for our discussion.
Weekly on Wednesdays: December 9th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Silence, Stillness, and Holy Rest
24 Hours in Advent
As the Christmas season approaches, our hearts often long for something deeper than the rushed pace and full calendars—something quieter, gentler, and more aligned with the true meaning of Advent: waiting, listening, and making room for Christ.
2nd and 4th Monday of Each Month: December 14th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Read, reflect, pray, and share with other committed Christians seeking to grow through the challenges of Scripture in everyday life.
Weekly on Tuesdays: December 15th, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: December 16th, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Meets 3rd Thursdays of the month, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Virtual - All skill levels are welcome to join in the monthly ‘mini-retreat’ focused on connecting with the Divine through poetry.
Enter a sacred rhythm of peace and simplicity at Benet House Retreat Center Quad Cities Taizé Prayer Services. These meditative evenings are marked by gentle chants, short readings and extended moments of silence.
Weekly on Tuesdays: December 22nd, 2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lectio Divina is the foundation for Benedictine prayer. Consider making it a steady prayer in your life.
Weekly on Wednesdays: December 23rd, 2026
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Join others in a weekly practice of this method for fostering a deeper relationship with God.
Life at St. Mary Monastery
Featured
Virtual Monastery
The Virtual Monastery Experience combines 360 photography with video, photos, and text directly from the Sisters. The Sisters invite you to get a sense of St. Mary Monastery before your visit.
Recent Stories
As the leaves change and the air grows crisp, autumn invites us to slow down and reflect on the cycles of life and faith. In the quiet beauty of fall, we are reminded of God’s presence in every season.
Daily Updates
St. Mary’s Academy
In 1874, the Sisters of St. Benedict founded St. Mary’s Academy, a Catholic boarding school for young women. The Sisters voted to close the school in 1997, and we still fondly remember our time in Nauvoo. After 123 years together, we hope to remain connected to our friends and alumnae for many years to come!
“The Sisters of St. Mary’s taught me how to be courageous and attempt anything I wanted to do – all with a wonderful sense of humility, hope and humor.”