Becoming a Byzantine Benedictine Sister is a four-step process.

First of all, a woman must discern if she is called by God. St. Benedict says a newcomer must seek God above all things. In the religious community this stage is called that of an AFFILIATE. After meetings with the sisters and experiencing weekends and days of recollection at the monastery the woman enters the community. She becomes a POSTULANT. This provides a period of transition between lay and community life with a formal program of instruction, experience in monastic life and the Byzantine liturgical prayer life.

The next step is becoming a NOVICE. The novice receives specific instructions on Scripture, the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict, the Constitution of the Federation of Saint Scholastica, the nature of Benedictine community, and the living Byzantine tradition of the community in Warren.

The Novice makes a temporary commitment for five years, becoming a Scholastic. During these years the Scholastic will become more fully incorporated into the community. She may continue her formal education at this time and participate in a part-time or full-time ministry for which she is qualified.

Finally, at the end of the Scholastic Program, with the approval of the community, she makes simple perpetual vows of Obedience, Stability and Fidelity to the Monastic Way of Life.

Since we, the Byzantine Benedictine Sisters at Queen of Heaven Monastery, are dependent on Sacred Heart Monastery in Lisle, Illinois, the above steps will be coordinated with the prioress of Sacred Heart Monastery and the administrator of Queen of Heaven Monastery.

To contact us, please call us at (888) 844-7823 or email us at Queen of Heaven Monastery