By Susan Clark Saint Hildegard says, “Be a faithful friend to your soul and be the special friend of God.” Her own friendship with God manifested in her faithfulness to her Benedictine life of prayer and work. Hildegard was a 12th century writer, composer, teacher, leader, seeker of justice, herald of holism, preacher, eco-spirituality expert, and spiritual guide. She was the fourth woman to be named a Doctor of the Catholic Church. Susan Garthwaite is author of the award-winning Saint Hildegard: Ancient Insights for Modern Seekers (She Writes Press, 2021). In her presentation “Saint Hildegar ..read more

By Susan Clark, with reflections from Mary Susan Remsgar, OSB Dozens of oblates and friends gathered with the Sisters in the Chapel and on Zoom for the Feast of St. Scholastica Vigil. Prioress Sr. Mary Susan Remsgar’s reflections highlighted the theme of love throughout the readings and how much Scholastica and her twin brother Benedict loved each other and God. Excerpted here, her full reflections are below:   “One of the things I believe Jesus offers us in this Gospel [Luke 10:38-42] is the reassurance of his loving presence no matter who we are, how we are, whether or not we meet our ..read more

We are pleased to announce that Susan Clark has joined the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago staff as Communications Coordinator. An alumna of the St. Scholastica Academy class of 1998, she has remained connected to the community as an Alumnae Board member, reunion class representative, and donor. Her primary duty will be maintaining communications between the sisters, oblates, alumnae, donors, and friends through sharing stories of the Sisters' mission and ministries via print and email newsletters, social media, and livestreamed special events. "Few people understand and appreciate the Benedic ..read more

By Sister Susan Quaintance During one day of our Monastic Congregation Council meeting at Monasterio Pan de Vida in Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico, S. Judith Zonsius and I had two very powerful – but vastly different – experiences. The council of the Congregation of St. Scholastica (Sr. Judith Zonsius facing camera, Sr. Susan Quaintance, second from left) met at Monasterio Pan de Vida in January The first was a panel discussion arranged by Pan de Vida S. Mariana Olivo, with language translation by S. Patricia Henry. Several participants were young people involved with the Zapatista movement, origi ..read more

By Oblate Nancy Labiak The Fifth International Congress of Benedictine Oblates was held in Rome in September 2023. The week-long Congress—the first held in six years with a two year delay due to Covid— was titled “MOVING FORWARD Living the Wisdom of the Rule.” And I was there!!! We numbered 153 oblates from 25 Countries on six continents and represented 84 monasteries. The meeting was held in the Pontifical Athenaeum of Saint Anselmo’s —a pontifical Benedictine University and home to the Abbot Primate who represents the Benedictines in dealings with the Vatican. San Anselmo crowns one of the ..read more

Our dear Sister Patricia Crowley, OSB, 84, passed away peacefully the afternoon of Saturday, October 14th. We thank God for her life; the impact she had on our community and generations of our alumnae as well as many others in Chicago and beyond. She passed into the loving arms of God; the Sisters and her family who have gone before her are there to welcome her. Mass of Resurrection for Sister Patricia will be November 4, 2023 at St. Nicholas Church, St. John XXIII Parish, Evanston at 10:00 am with visitation from 9:00-10:00. Burial at Calvary Cemetery, Evanston immediately following. Livestr ..read more

Join us to reminisce about our high school days and reconnect with classmates and teachers! Reunion 2023 -September 16-17 This year’s reunion celebrates the classes ending in ‘03 and ‘08! Schedule of Events Saturday, September 16 4:00 p.m. Alumnae Mass *School Tour availibility pending. Hosted at St. Scholastica Monastery 7430 N. Ridge Blvd., Chicago, IL Free parking available in school lot. Mass will also be livestreamed via Zoom. Sunday, September 17 11:30 a.m. Brunch, Cocktails & Class Photos Hosted at Chateau Ritz 9100 Milwaukee Avenue Niles, IL 60714 Free parking available in attache ..read more

Thank you, Jubilarians! Please join in thanking and congratulating our 2023 Jubilarians: Sister Jane Smith, OSB Sister Rita Nowak, OSB Both Sister Jane and Sister Rita are celebrating 70 vowed years of religious life. Join us in prayer and virtually for the Jubilee Mass on Tuesday, July 11th at 4 PM Central Time, the Feast of St. Benedict. To join the virtual celebration please log on to Zoom using this link: ,Jubilee Mass Virtual Link Please email communications@osbchicago.org if you experience any technical difficulties attending the virtual Jubilee Celebration. If you wish to send your goo ..read more

On Sunday, June 18th, the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, along with many Oblates, family and friends, gathered for the Installation of Prioress Sister Mary Susan Remsgar, OSB. (Second from the left). Gratitude abound as the new leadership is blessed and celebrated! (Pictured above, left to right, the new administration of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago: Corporate Secretary, Sister Kathleen Maloney, OSB, Prioress, Sister Mary Susan Remsgar, OSB, Subprioress, Sister Susan Quaintance, OSB, and Treasurer, Sister Judith Zonsius, OSB). TO BE WORTHY OF THE TASK OF GOVERNING A MONASTERY, THE PRI ..read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 16, 2023 CONTACT: Siobhan O’Neill Meluso, Communications Coordinator 773.764.2413 x232, ,smeluso@osbchicago.org www.osbchicago.org 20th Prioress Elected for Chicago Benedictines On Saturday, April 15, 2023, Sister Mary Susan Remsgar, OSB, was voted to serve as the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago’s 20th Prioress for the next four years. Through thoughtful discernment, the St. Scholastica Monastery community prayerfully held a canonical election facilitated by the St. Scholastica Monastic Congregation President and facilitator. Born and raised in Waukegan, IL, Sister ..read more