We seek God

"Our Benedictine monastic vocation is centered in the monastery.

"We seek God
in prayer,
in work, and
in community.

"Daily Mass and The Liturgy of the Hours provides the framework around which our day evolves. This communal praise of God is our most important task. The Liturgy of the Hours (or Divine Office) is sung six times a day in English using simplified Gregorian chant melodies. Lectio divina (sacred reading), personal prayer and an atmosphere of silence are also essential elements of our life of prayer.

"By our work we also glorify God. St. Benedict exhorts us to see 'the tools of the monastery as sacred vessels of the altar.' Providing hospitality for those seeking to deepen their relationship with God, we welcome retreatants and visitors. This hospitality and the needs of the community provides many opportunities for each Sister to utilize various "tools" in the monastery itself, the garden, and the gift and book shop, kitchen, dining room, etc. We are blessed to have a wonderful group of volunteers who generously assist us in our various labors.

"Our small community is family-like for here the young and the old, people of varying personalities, abilities and skills, live, pray and work together. Stability marks our life for we enter and live out our monastic life here.

The Discernment Process:

"Single women (ages of 18-40) speak with our Prioress, Mother Mary Anne, and then come to visit the community. These first visits provide a glimpse of what our life is like and offer both sides to get to know one another. At each stage of the process, both the community and the individual discern whether or not God is calling the woman to our monastic community."

from the website of
St. Emma Monastery,
Greensburg, Pennsylvania