“All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Mt 25:335).’” Rule of St. Benedict 53: 1
Providing hospitality has been an important ministry for Benedictine monastics since the time of Saint Benedict. Benedict teaches us that in receiving a guest we welcome Christ himself. We are blessed to receive guests from as near as Schuyler and as far as Tanzania.
We recently welcomed Sister Asante, the prioress of Saint Agnes Convent in Chipole, Tanzania. Sister Asante is the spiritual mother of over 350 sisters. She was visiting several of her sisters who were studying in various schools throughout the United States. Two of her sisters studying at Benedictine College in Atchison joined Sister Asante for a tour of our monastery and retreat center.
The Congregation of the African Benedictine Sisters of St. Agnes, based in Chipole, was founded in 1938 by Abbot and Titular Bishop Gallus Steiger, OSB. Abbot Bishop Gallus was a Missionary Benedictine monk of the Archabbey of St. Ottilien and the first abbot of Peramiho Abbey in Tanzania. The Benedictine Sisters of St. Agnes was founded as the first Benedictine congregation of native African women and currently numbers over 700 sisters. The sisters administer several schools and medical facilities in addition to living the Benedictine rhythm of prayer in their communities.
Sister Asante
Tanzanian sisters tour the monastery
Sr. Susana, Sr. Suzanne (Atchison), Sr. Asante, Sr. Presentasia
Saint Benedict Center also hosted a regional gathering of Oblate Directors from several Midwest monastic communities. The meeting was a time of prayer, support, and sharing for those involved with the formation of lay men and women committed to living the Benedictine way of life “in the world.”
Fr. Volker (Schuyler), Sr. Celine (Norfolk), Sr. Phyllis (Yankton/Lincoln), Sr. Eileen (Yankton), Sr. Barbara (Columbia, MO), Sr. Bonita (Yankton), Sr. Margretta (Yankton/Sioux Falls)
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