A Sacred Legacy Continues: Honoring the Sisters of Mount Saint Benedict Monastery in Crookston
At Benedictine Living Community-Crookston, we are blessed to be part of a story that spans generations; one rooted in faith, service and the enduring spirit of Benedictine life. We celebrate the beautiful and lasting relationship between our community and the Sisters of Mount Saint Benedict Monastery.
Founded in 1919, Mount Saint Benedict Monastery was established to provide a Benedictine way of common life and prayer for women called to religious life. For more than a century, the Sisters have faithfully lived out this calling, creating a powerful legacy grounded in faith, community and service.
A Calling to Education and Healthcare Ministry
The Sisters of Mount Saint Benedict Monastery made a profound impact across the region, particularly in education and healthcare. Their membership peaked in the 1960s, and during those years, and beyond, they dedicated themselves to meeting the needs of others with compassion and excellence. Their work laid the foundation for vital institutions that continue to serve the Crookston community today.
The Sisters’ Lasting Impact on Benedictine Crookston
The connection between the Sisters and Benedictine Crookston spans decades and is woven into the very fabric of our community. They built and staffed St. Francis Hospital, now known as Benedictine The Summit, establishing a ministry of holistic healing and compassionate care that continues today. They also built and sponsored Villa St. Vincent, now Benedictine Living Community-Crookston, where their presence has long been felt through their pastoral care roles. Even today, their influence remains visible in both mission and ministry.
A Spirit of Generosity: Supporting the Future of Care
The Sisters’ commitment extends beyond service into extraordinary generosity. Through the Mount Saint Benedict Foundation, the Sisters have made substantial donations to Benedictine Foundation-Crookston. They continue to support special projects that enhance the lives of the residents and staff who work and live at Benedictine Crookston. This ongoing generosity ensures that their legacy of care will continue to benefit future generations.
A New Chapter: Transition to Benedictine The Summit
Recently, the Sisters entered a new phase of their journey. Nine Sisters moved from the original Mount Saint Benedict campus to Benedictine The Summit. Today, 13 of their 15 Sisters reside there, while two remain in Texas. While this transition marks a physical move, it also reflects their thoughtful commitment to remaining together while receiving the care and support they need.
Although retired from active ministry and no longer living at the Mount, the Sisters remain very much a monastery. At Benedictine The Summit, they continue their monastic rhythm of life, gathering to pray the Divine Office three times each day, sharing meals and carrying out their community business. Their deep commitment to prayer and community life remains unchanged.
This new living arrangement has also created more opportunities for connection. The Sisters now have greater ability to visit fellow Sisters residing at Benedictine Living Community-Crookston in long-term care. These continued relationships are a powerful reminder that the Benedictine Experience extends far beyond any one location.
The Sisters have embraced their new home with gratitude and openness. They have shared how much they enjoy being among other residents and tenants at Benedictine The Summit and the relationships that are forming there. True to their humble spirit, they simply hope to be “good neighbors”—a reflection of a lifetime spent caring for others.
Honoring the Sisters’ Enduring Legacy in Crookston
As we reflect on their journey, it is clear that the Sisters of Mount Saint Benedict Monastery are not only part of our history, they remain an essential part of our present. Their prayers continue to uplift our community. Their presence continues to inspire our Mission. Their legacy continues to shape the future of Benedictine care in Crookston.
We are deeply grateful for the Sisters; their vision, their faith and their transformational generosity. As we move forward together, we carry on a shared ministry rooted in compassion, service and community. Their story lives on, not just in memory, but in the lives they continue to touch every day.