If You Would Like a Life ...

• marked by the rhythm of the monastic Liturgy of the Hours and daily Eucharist;

• rooted in the 1500-year-old tradition of Saint Benedict, yet contemporary in its response to human need and Church ministry;

• lived in prayerfulness, hospitality, simplicity, and peace;

...keep on reading!

Benedictines are women or men who seek God by living and praying in community, following the 1500 year old Rule of Saint Benedict, under the leadership of a prioress or an abbot. Their life is regulated by the rhythm of the Liturgy of the Hours and Eucharist, and overflows into a variety of ministries that both support the monastic community and respond to the contemporary needs of Church and world.

Who are the Benedictine Sisters of Elizabeth, New Jersey?

We Benedictines of Elizabeth are a community of Catholic women who live according to the Rule of Benedict. Our days are punctuated by Morning Praise, Midday Prayer, Vespers, Compline, and Eucharist. In addition, each sister pursues her personal prayer life through lectio divina (the reflective reading of Scripture) and other forms of prayer. We make a threefold monastic profession of stability, conversion, and obedience within a lifestyle that places first priority on common life and prayer. Under the leadership of our prioress, we maintain a variety of ministries that include education, health care, pastoral care and retreat work. Other ministries may also be pursued, so long as they are compatible with the community's primary commitment to prayer and the common life.

Some communities were founded primarily for ministry and their style of community and prayer support their life of ministry. The purpose of Benedictine life is to seek God in community and to respond in prayer and ministry. Community life and prayer together is our priority and our ministry flows from it. Benedictine monasteries are located all over the globe, each is independent and has a spirit shaped by the members, the geographic location, and the local customs as well as a 1500 year old spiritual tradition. Benedictine Sisters of Elizabeth have worked and prayed together and shared all things in common since 1867. Through active lives balanced with contemplation, we witness to Jesus Christ through community, hospitality and service in education, health care, and spirituality.

Discernment:	Meet periodically with the vocation directress Spend time with the community during weekends, live-ins, etc.
Affiliate: (3 mos-1 year)	Request entrance into the community Continue living at home and meet periodically with a directress
Postulant:(about 1 year)	Enter community Receive guidance in living the Rule of Saint Benedict Work and study, and experience monastic community life on a day-to-day basis
Novice: (1-2 years)	Immerse yourself in the Benedictine identity and spirituality Study the Rule and the meaning of monastic profession Receive more intense guidance Relinquish full time work or study
Scholastic: (3-6 years)	Profess monastic vows: stability, conversion, obedience Work or study full time and meet with a directress periodically
Perpetually Professed Sister:	Profess the monastic vows for life Receive a ring worn by Benedictine women for generations Live a lifelong commitment to God in the monastic community
	Novice's Call
	One Sister’s Story
	In the News: What is religious life 'really' like?
For more information write or call: Sister Marita Funke, OSB 851 North Broad Street Elizabeth, NJ 07208	908-353-3028 E-mail: maritaosb@AOL.com