Vocations
Welcome! I’m delighted you’re beginning your journey of discernment and exploring the call to religious life in a Benedictine community. My name is Sister Stefanie MacDonald, and as the Vocation Contact Person at St. Mary Monastery, I’m here to support and encourage you as you seek God’s path for your life.
While our community is not currently able to welcome new members, I am still very happy to accompany you at the beginning stations of your discernment and answer any questions you may have about Benedictine life. I encourage you to do our self-guided online discernment retreat, and watch videos and read about our sisters and their vocation stories. Learning how others have responded to God’s love can inspire and guide your own journey.
Helping others grow closer to God and discern their unique calling is truly a joy and a privilege. If you sense God might be inviting you to religious life, please know that you are not alone. I am here for you, and I look forward to supporting you as you discover God’s unique plan for your life.
Learn More
St. Benedict's Monastery
St. Joseph, MN
Welcome! You have taken a big step in your discernment process. Please explore our vocations section of our website. We want you to feel at ease as you communicate with us and learn about our monastic community.
St. Scholastica Monastery
Duluth, MN
We encourage each other to develop our individual charisms or gifts, and we share them in our ministries. Don’t be afraid that you have nothing to offer: God will bring out your hidden talents as you discover new ways of expressing God’s love for you. If you would like to learn more or get involved, please check our website for resources, updates, and opportunities to participate.
Annunciation Monastery
Bismarck, ND
Discernment is the process by which a woman acknowledges a tugging in her heart to explore religious life. Through conversations with our vocation director, who directs her in prayer and reflection, she has the opportunity to ask questions and participate in our "Come & See" weekends to experience how Benedictine monastic life is lived at Annunciation Monastery. For more information and details about upcoming opportunities, please visit our website.
St. Placid Priory
Lacey, WA
Stay with us for a few days and begin exploring the possibility of a religious vocation. If you have wondered whether you might be called to religious life, and have questions about how to discern God’s call, a stay in our monastery (for single, Catholic women) is a helpful way to begin. Please visit the website. Come and see!