St. Paul's Monastery celebrates 75 years of hospitality, service
St Paul’s Monastery in St. Paul is celebrating its 75th anniversary this weekend.
Courtesy St. Paul's Monastery
St Paul’s Monastery in St. Paul is celebrating its 75th anniversary this weekend.
The sisters there live in community according to the rules of St. Benedict. They’re committed to values of hospitality, prayer, silence and social responsibility, among others. But though the group now is small, their actions over the decades have been large and lasting.
MPR News host Cathy Wurzer speaks with SubPrioress Sister Linda Soler more about the monastery’s past, present and plans for the future.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
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Audio transcript
CATHY WURZER: St. Paul's Monastery in Saint Paul is celebrating its 75th anniversary this weekend. The sisters there live in community according to the rules of Saint Benedict. They're committed to values of hospitality, prayer, silence, and social responsibility, among others. But though the group is now a bit small, their actions over the decades have been large and lasting. Subprioress, Sister Linda Soler, is here to tell us more about St. Paul's monasteries now and then.
Sister Linda, it's a pleasure. Welcome.
LINDA SOLER: Hello, Cathy. And I am the sub-prioress. The prioress position is in the elected position, and the sub-prioress is an appointed position. So those are just fancy words for president and vice president.
CATHY WURZER: All right. I got it. Thank you so much.
LINDA SOLER: [LAUGHS]
CATHY WURZER: You know, members of the Benedictine order have been in Minnesota-- folks might not know this, since before statehood. The Benedictine Sisters-- it was the monks who were settled in Saint Joseph, Minnesota. How did some of the sisters decide to make the move to Saint Paul back in the day?
LINDA SOLER: Well, back in the day, they were just too large at the Saint Benedict's. And Rome said, uh-oh. You're too large for a monastic community. So let's build monasteries, and then we can also spread our mission in other areas. So there was one in Eau Claire, Wisconsin called Saint Bede, and then in Maplewood here, it's-- St. Paul's Priory back then, but we did reclaim our history by renaming as St. Paul's Monastery.
CATHY WURZER: People will remember, of course, that the Benedictines have a huge role, if I'm not mistaken, with Hill Murray High School, right?
LINDA SOLER: A huge role. We're very proud of that school because the sisters first came down from St. Benedict in 1948, with 178 sisters. And believe it or not, it was a house on Summit Avenue called St. Paul's Priory.
Now, can you imagine 178 sisters in one house? Well, what makes it possible is that the sisters who came down were really spread in various parishes and schools, so they really weren't living, let's say, at 301 Summit.
And then 10 years later, in 1958, the sisters did open Archbishop Murray Memorial High School, which is now Hill Murray School. And I do serve the monastery here as the sub-prioress. And I also work at Hill Murray School as their sports chaplain. We have a program called Faith in Action. So I still have some time over at Hill Murray. And honest to God, those students are the essence of my vocation.
CATHY WURZER: Oh, I'm sure. I'm sure that's really interesting work. So--
LINDA SOLER: [LAUGHS] It is pretty interesting.
CATHY WURZER: I bet it is. The Benedictine sisters helped to found Hill Murray. You founded Saint Joseph's Home for Children. Some people may remember that. And you founded the Saint Therese Homes for Elder Care, you know? That is a lot of work.
LINDA SOLER: It was a lot of work. We have a lot of pioneers in this community. And they also opened Winsted Hospital and home for the aged as well. And you are correct. It was St. Therese in New Hope in 1966.
And then we also opened up what we call our Benedictine Center. It's a retreat center which was created. And it's to open our doors. St. Benedict makes it very clear in his rule that all guests are to be received as Christ. And we really believe that here at the monastery. But there's even a sign in front of Hill Murray School that has that saying on their sign because it's that important to the Benedictines, that hospitality is not an option.
CATHY WURZER: Sister Linda, I'm familiar with the Sisters of Saint Joseph Carondelet, also based in St. Paul, and they're known for their work in health care, among other things. What would you think the Benedictine-- what would you say the Benedictine sisters are known for?
LINDA SOLER: They are known for serving the needs of the church in the present time. And we do that well. And so right now, as we get smaller, we have to continuously revisit our future and where are we going with our Benedictine values.
You are correct that religious communities-- we share a lot of values. However, our founders and founderesses, they have a different flavor to each community. And so you mentioned the Carondelet Sisters. They're known for their peace and justice. And Benedictines are known for our hospitality. So there's various communities out there. And so I would say we are known for the needs of the church at the present time.
CATHY WURZER: So--
LINDA SOLER: And you can imagine how that has evolved over the years.
CATHY WURZER: Exactly, exactly. So you have a celebration coming up on Saturday. Tell us about this.
LINDA SOLER: OK. Saturday is our Benedictine fest. And we got to pray for good weather. [LAUGHS] First of all. And it's--
CATHY WURZER: Oh, no. Hopefully we'll get her back on the line before we have to go to the news. It's a big deal, obviously, for the Sisters of Saint Benedict at the monastery. Sister Linda, are you with us?
LINDA SOLER: I am.
CATHY WURZER: Hi.
LINDA SOLER: I am with you.
CATHY WURZER: Just the minute you started to talk about the weather. Isn't that amazing? Your phone just went--
LINDA SOLER: Oh!
CATHY WURZER: I don't know-- what is that about? As you say--
LINDA SOLER: I don't know. What is God telling us? What is God telling us?
CATHY WURZER: Sister, I'm hoping you know.
LINDA SOLER: Yeah, we're going to have to bring all this to prayer. I don't know what happened.
CATHY WURZER: It's OK. It's all right. Now, were talking about the big celebration on Saturday.
LINDA SOLER: Yes, OK.
CATHY WURZER: [LAUGHS]
LINDA SOLER: Thank you very much. Where am I? Oh, yeah. OK. Now I know where I am. OK. So June 24, we welcome all your listeners to join us any time between 12 o'clock to 3:00. And it's on the monastery grounds. It also gives an individual an opportunity to see what a monastery is like.
So we are going to have our guests in the monastery. And we're going to have food, like Potter's pastries and Mike's mini donuts and Nelson's ice cream from Stillwater and popcorn. And like I said, what's a celebration without mini donuts, right?
CATHY WURZER: Right, right.
LINDA SOLER: And then we have music, and then we have shopping, some of our sisters' art, and then fair trade items from the St. Cloud mission office, and then activities, scavenger hunt, fire truck. And then we're going to have bingo.
CATHY WURZER: Oh, I-- good.
LINDA SOLER: I mean, what Catholic does not appreciate a good game of bingo?
CATHY WURZER: [LAUGHS]
LINDA SOLER: Is that correct?
CATHY WURZER: It is.
LINDA SOLER: That is correct, isn't it?
CATHY WURZER: It's good.
LINDA SOLER: And then we have a raffle drawing. And it's, like, $1,000 for travel voucher. And then Joe's--
CATHY WURZER: So a lot of things happening.
LINDA SOLER: --Highland Offset Smoker.
CATHY WURZER: A lot of things happening.
LINDA SOLER: A lot of things happening.
CATHY WURZER: I appreciate this, Sister Linda. I have to go out to the news. I wish you well for your celebration on Saturday. Thank you for taking the time to talk with us. And all best in the future.
LINDA SOLER: And Cathy, I would like to invite you to the monastery as well.
CATHY WURZER: I appreciate that.
LINDA SOLER: I will give you a personal tour. And thank you for the good work that you're doing on your end.
CATHY WURZER: Thank you
LINDA SOLER: That's appreciated. May God bless you. Thank you.
CATHY WURZER: Thank you. I appreciate it, Sister. I need all the help I can get. Sister Linda Soler is the sub-prioress of St. Paul's Monastery, their 75th anniversary celebration this Saturday, noon to 3:00, at the monastery in Saint Paul.
Sister Linda, it's a pleasure. Welcome.
LINDA SOLER: Hello, Cathy. And I am the sub-prioress. The prioress position is in the elected position, and the sub-prioress is an appointed position. So those are just fancy words for president and vice president.
CATHY WURZER: All right. I got it. Thank you so much.
LINDA SOLER: [LAUGHS]
CATHY WURZER: You know, members of the Benedictine order have been in Minnesota-- folks might not know this, since before statehood. The Benedictine Sisters-- it was the monks who were settled in Saint Joseph, Minnesota. How did some of the sisters decide to make the move to Saint Paul back in the day?
LINDA SOLER: Well, back in the day, they were just too large at the Saint Benedict's. And Rome said, uh-oh. You're too large for a monastic community. So let's build monasteries, and then we can also spread our mission in other areas. So there was one in Eau Claire, Wisconsin called Saint Bede, and then in Maplewood here, it's-- St. Paul's Priory back then, but we did reclaim our history by renaming as St. Paul's Monastery.
CATHY WURZER: People will remember, of course, that the Benedictines have a huge role, if I'm not mistaken, with Hill Murray High School, right?
LINDA SOLER: A huge role. We're very proud of that school because the sisters first came down from St. Benedict in 1948, with 178 sisters. And believe it or not, it was a house on Summit Avenue called St. Paul's Priory.
Now, can you imagine 178 sisters in one house? Well, what makes it possible is that the sisters who came down were really spread in various parishes and schools, so they really weren't living, let's say, at 301 Summit.
And then 10 years later, in 1958, the sisters did open Archbishop Murray Memorial High School, which is now Hill Murray School. And I do serve the monastery here as the sub-prioress. And I also work at Hill Murray School as their sports chaplain. We have a program called Faith in Action. So I still have some time over at Hill Murray. And honest to God, those students are the essence of my vocation.
CATHY WURZER: Oh, I'm sure. I'm sure that's really interesting work. So--
LINDA SOLER: [LAUGHS] It is pretty interesting.
CATHY WURZER: I bet it is. The Benedictine sisters helped to found Hill Murray. You founded Saint Joseph's Home for Children. Some people may remember that. And you founded the Saint Therese Homes for Elder Care, you know? That is a lot of work.
LINDA SOLER: It was a lot of work. We have a lot of pioneers in this community. And they also opened Winsted Hospital and home for the aged as well. And you are correct. It was St. Therese in New Hope in 1966.
And then we also opened up what we call our Benedictine Center. It's a retreat center which was created. And it's to open our doors. St. Benedict makes it very clear in his rule that all guests are to be received as Christ. And we really believe that here at the monastery. But there's even a sign in front of Hill Murray School that has that saying on their sign because it's that important to the Benedictines, that hospitality is not an option.
CATHY WURZER: Sister Linda, I'm familiar with the Sisters of Saint Joseph Carondelet, also based in St. Paul, and they're known for their work in health care, among other things. What would you think the Benedictine-- what would you say the Benedictine sisters are known for?
LINDA SOLER: They are known for serving the needs of the church in the present time. And we do that well. And so right now, as we get smaller, we have to continuously revisit our future and where are we going with our Benedictine values.
You are correct that religious communities-- we share a lot of values. However, our founders and founderesses, they have a different flavor to each community. And so you mentioned the Carondelet Sisters. They're known for their peace and justice. And Benedictines are known for our hospitality. So there's various communities out there. And so I would say we are known for the needs of the church at the present time.
CATHY WURZER: So--
LINDA SOLER: And you can imagine how that has evolved over the years.
CATHY WURZER: Exactly, exactly. So you have a celebration coming up on Saturday. Tell us about this.
LINDA SOLER: OK. Saturday is our Benedictine fest. And we got to pray for good weather. [LAUGHS] First of all. And it's--
CATHY WURZER: Oh, no. Hopefully we'll get her back on the line before we have to go to the news. It's a big deal, obviously, for the Sisters of Saint Benedict at the monastery. Sister Linda, are you with us?
LINDA SOLER: I am.
CATHY WURZER: Hi.
LINDA SOLER: I am with you.
CATHY WURZER: Just the minute you started to talk about the weather. Isn't that amazing? Your phone just went--
LINDA SOLER: Oh!
CATHY WURZER: I don't know-- what is that about? As you say--
LINDA SOLER: I don't know. What is God telling us? What is God telling us?
CATHY WURZER: Sister, I'm hoping you know.
LINDA SOLER: Yeah, we're going to have to bring all this to prayer. I don't know what happened.
CATHY WURZER: It's OK. It's all right. Now, were talking about the big celebration on Saturday.
LINDA SOLER: Yes, OK.
CATHY WURZER: [LAUGHS]
LINDA SOLER: Thank you very much. Where am I? Oh, yeah. OK. Now I know where I am. OK. So June 24, we welcome all your listeners to join us any time between 12 o'clock to 3:00. And it's on the monastery grounds. It also gives an individual an opportunity to see what a monastery is like.
So we are going to have our guests in the monastery. And we're going to have food, like Potter's pastries and Mike's mini donuts and Nelson's ice cream from Stillwater and popcorn. And like I said, what's a celebration without mini donuts, right?
CATHY WURZER: Right, right.
LINDA SOLER: And then we have music, and then we have shopping, some of our sisters' art, and then fair trade items from the St. Cloud mission office, and then activities, scavenger hunt, fire truck. And then we're going to have bingo.
CATHY WURZER: Oh, I-- good.
LINDA SOLER: I mean, what Catholic does not appreciate a good game of bingo?
CATHY WURZER: [LAUGHS]
LINDA SOLER: Is that correct?
CATHY WURZER: It is.
LINDA SOLER: That is correct, isn't it?
CATHY WURZER: It's good.
LINDA SOLER: And then we have a raffle drawing. And it's, like, $1,000 for travel voucher. And then Joe's--
CATHY WURZER: So a lot of things happening.
LINDA SOLER: --Highland Offset Smoker.
CATHY WURZER: A lot of things happening.
LINDA SOLER: A lot of things happening.
CATHY WURZER: I appreciate this, Sister Linda. I have to go out to the news. I wish you well for your celebration on Saturday. Thank you for taking the time to talk with us. And all best in the future.
LINDA SOLER: And Cathy, I would like to invite you to the monastery as well.
CATHY WURZER: I appreciate that.
LINDA SOLER: I will give you a personal tour. And thank you for the good work that you're doing on your end.
CATHY WURZER: Thank you
LINDA SOLER: That's appreciated. May God bless you. Thank you.
CATHY WURZER: Thank you. I appreciate it, Sister. I need all the help I can get. Sister Linda Soler is the sub-prioress of St. Paul's Monastery, their 75th anniversary celebration this Saturday, noon to 3:00, at the monastery in Saint Paul.
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