St. Scholastica Prioress, Sister Lois Eckes entered the Duluth monastery in 1957, at the age of 18. In November 2005, she talked to Independent Lens about some of the ways that life inside the Benedictine community is changing.

Then: Novices entered the monastery right out of high school.
Now: Novices are middle-aged women; many have been married and have children.

“I think within the last ten years especially, there’s been more of a movement toward older women,” said Eckes. “We feel a woman needs more maturity and life experiences so she’s had time to get to know herself.”

St. Scholastica would not invite an 18-year-old woman to join the community today. Instead, a younger woman would be encouraged to spend time learning about the monastic way of life by reading and sharing in the community as a friend rather than a member.

“There are far more options for women if they want to serve in the church or ministry,” said Eckes. “Whereas when I was 18 and wanted to do that, you were either a sister or a priest.”

Monastery novices return from gardening, circa 1963 Sister Edith Bogue (right) teaches sociology at The College of St. Scholastica Top photos L-R: Sisters pray in St. Scholastica Monastery's chapel (1946) The modern-day Duluth Benedictine Community (1999)

Then: Monastic life was structured; conformity was valued.
Now: Monasteries are welcoming diversity in interests, personality and ministries.

According to Eckes, novices could not read newspapers or visit their families in the past. Sisters were even instructed on how to walk: with their hands hidden underneath a part of the habit called the scapular. The habit was mandatory, even during leisure time. Lights went out at a certain hour, and a rising bell woke the monastery each morning.

“You didn’t go running or whistling or laughing down the hall,” said Eckes. “You were expected to conduct yourself with a certain amount of religious decorum.”

Today, sisters make their own decisions and determine for themselves how best to carry out the Benedictine tradition. They have also incorporated new ministries, including massage therapy and spiritual retreats. But that doesn’t mean that the monastic life is easy.

Then: Sisters managed day-to-day needs of Benedictine institutions, including schools and hospitals.
Now: Lay people have taken leadership roles; sisters serve as sponsors.

With fewer sisters in the community, the monastery is shifting from an ownership to a sponsorship position for Benedictine schools and healthcare facilities. Sisters serve as advisors, providing guidance and the assurance that Benedictine values will be at the heart of these organizations.

In Duluth alone, St. Scholastica sponsors The College of St. Scholastica and healthcare facilities including Benedictine Health Center, Westwood and St. Mary’s Medical Center, the largest hospital in Duluth.

“We are the sponsoring body, meaning that the Benedictine values and mission—whether it be in education or healthcare—continue to be alive and well,” said Eckes.

Learn about Benedictine life at the monastery today >>