International Women’s Day

Joanne Kollasch, OSB Uncategorized Leave a Comment

The Sisters at Holy Wisdom Monastery, Madison, Wisconsin welcome and celebrate International Women’s Day. We are a small community of Benedictine women who enjoy and benefit from an international world view.  Our community is a member of the world-wide Benedictine order begun in the sixth century. Our interests and work focus not only locally but on sisters’ communities and work in Africa, Asia, South America and Europe. Travel to these countries prompts a desire and understanding for collaboration.   After a visit with sisters in Korea, Korean sisters came to our monastery to learn English. They attended classes at WESLI – …

Feast of St. Scholastica – A Reflection on Prayer

Denise West, OSB Uncategorized 11 Comments

Feb. 10 is the Feast Day of St. Scholastica. Scholastica is the twin sister of her more famous brother Benedict of Nursia. They grew up in a wealthy family and they both founded monasteries in the sixth century. Everything we know about them comes from a book written by Gregory the Great after Benedict’s death. Scholastica is mostly known for her great love of the spiritual life and for her fervent prayer. The famous story is that these siblings would leave their monasteries once a year to meet for spiritual conversation. On the last occasion of their meeting, they spent …

Julie Melton Receives 2022 Facilitator of the Year Award

Holy Wisdom Monastery Care for the Earth, Friends of Wisdom Prairie, Sunday Assembly Leave a Comment

Julie Melton, of Madison, has received the Facilitator of the Year Award from the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin (BRAW). Melton was recognized for her work at Holy Wisdom Monastery with prairie restoration as well as her environmental education programs.  “I love leading people to a better understanding of how birds are connected to the prairie plants and the whole environment,” she added. President Steve Sample noted that “through her efforts Melton has helped to maintain and increase the Eastern Bluebird population, key goals of our statewide organization.” A fifth grade teacher who got Melton excited about birds is why …

Summer Stewards Reflection By Grace

Holy Wisdom Monastery Living in Community, Monastic Life, Retreats, Women Exploring Community Leave a Comment

We were immersed in monastery life. We attended prayer, ate meals with the sisters and other retreatants, and shared in chores. The fresh vegetables we harvested in the morning became the dinner we enjoyed in the evening. We helped with restoration efforts on the prairie and in the pines.

Holy Wisdom Monastery Receives Grant from the Wisconsin Office of Energy Innovation as they Commit to Net Zero Energy Project

Holy Wisdom Monastery Care for the Earth, Press release Leave a Comment

July 22, 2022, Middleton, WI – The Benedictine sisters at Holy Wisdom Monastery received a $575,000 grant from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Office of Energy Innovation to help them achieve net zero energy consumption for their campus in Middleton. “This generous grant helps us launch a project to upgrade an aging HVAC system and install new efficient energy systems as we continue to Care for the Earth as part of the sisters’ mission which is rooted in the Benedictine values of stability and respect for all of creation,” explained Charles McLimans, CEO at Holy Wisdom Monastery. Details of …

Dear Holy Wisdom Community,

Holy Wisdom Monastery Living in Community 5 Comments

By Mary Chiang, guest of the sisters I will be leaving June 1, on a plane back to NYC. I need a good head start to say my farewells and want to say thank you for your warm hospitality and resilience to the faith, hope and love of our Lord. I have learned so much here. One lesson is how a binary point of view harms and limits understanding, compassion, and divides people. The life and practice of Benedictine values is a real discipline and I admire every person who devotes themselves to not giving up. It’s so easy to …

Binoculars Available to Borrow While Exploring at Holy Wisdom Monastery

Amy Alstad Care for the Earth, Friends of Wisdom Prairie, Hospitality Leave a Comment

Friends of Wisdom Prairie is pleased to share a new opportunity: Holy Wisdom now has binoculars available for all to borrow. Bird watching is a lovely activity that perfectly complements Benedictine spirituality. It invites you to appreciate the beauty of creation. It pairs well with silence, stillness and contemplation, and connects you to the many birds flourishing here as a result of our work caring for the earth. To borrow a pair of binoculars, visit the front desk in the Monastery building and speak with the porter (front desk volunteer). Binoculars are available Monday-Friday starting at 10:00 am and must …

A Blessing

Holy Wisdom Monastery Benedictine Reflections 1 Comment

May youlike the milkweed and the foxglove of the prairieassent fresh each morning to being scatteredand buriedin the dark, moist soil of God. May youlike the purple prairie clover and the rattlesnake masterof the prairie sow and be sownin the Godwho loves this world beyond measure and without regret. Bless you. You are holy ground. This blessing is given to the Ecumenical Center for Clergy Spiritual Renewal (ECCSR) pastors after their first immersion from the people and place of Holy Wisdom Monastery. We hope you enjoyed this Benedictine Reflection. Learn more about the sisters’ mission and the Year of Beauty …

Memorial Service & Visitation – Dick Wagner

Car McGinley Leave a Comment

The memorial service for Dick Wagner will be held at Holy Wisdom Monastery on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at 3:00 pm. Visitation begins at 2:00 pm. The service will be livestreamed on Holy Wisdom’s YouTube and Facebook accounts and at the livestream link below. Read more about Dick Wagner Click here for the livestream at 3:00 pm, Sat., Apr. 30 Click here for the memorial service bulletin

Thank You, Volunteers! 

Lara Dulin Volunteers 1 Comment

Dear Volunteers of Holy Wisdom Monastery,  Words cannot express the value that volunteers have at Holy Wisdom Monastery. Over many years, you have supported this small community of sisters in their mission, and helped guide the monastery toward bringing Benedictine spirituality to the greater community. However you serve the monastery – on the prairie, in the kitchen, at Sunday Assembly, on a committee, as a spiritual guide, at the front desk or elsewhere – know that you are always welcomed and needed here. As coworkers, we look to you for the wisdom, energy and talents that you bring to Holy …