Welcome to the Home of the Benedictine Sisters

Welcome to the home of the Benedictine Sisters of Saint Bede Monastery. Our tradition of prayer and work stems from Saint Benedict, who lived and worked in central Italy during the fifth and sixth centuries. He founded monasteries at Subiaco and later at Monte Cassino.

Today, we follow his rule for women and men in monastic life. Developed from his own wisdom and experience, the Rule of Saint Benedict was designed to lead faithful disciples to the "loftier heights of doctrine and virtue" of other monastic authorities.

The sisters came to Eau Claire in 1892 from their mother house in St. Joseph, Minnesota. Their community, a priory in the city's Third Ward, was named for St. Bede. They came as teachers, serving first at St. Patrick's parish. The newly arrived Benedictines began ministries in nursing, in parishes and as chaplains. At one time, they operated a health care facility in Durand, Wisconsin and a secondary school known as Saint Bede Academy. The academy closed in 1978. The sisters then decided the building could be the focus of their hospitality ministry.

Today's Saint Bede, dedicated in 1964, combines an award-winning brick monastery, chapel and center on beautifully landscaped grounds. The setting features woodland trails, wildlife and fields, and visitors. Sited on a pastoral hilltop, a short drive south of Eau Claire, Saint Bede accommodates thousands of visitors annually for activities ranging from study groups to marriage encounter sessions to conferences for church, school, and other groups.

Sisters at Saint Bede continue to serve as teachers, chaplains, pastoral assistants, and health care providers in local communities and elsewhere in Wisconsin. They also work at sites in Missouri, Texas, Jamaica, and the West Indies. A number of sisters also live at the Clairemont, an assisted living facility in Eau Claire. The monastery is home for these sisters and a gathering place for the Saint Bede Associates, lay persons who adapt the Rule of Benedict to their daily lives and interact with the sisters in spiritual and social settings.

Sharing prayer as a community several times a day is a hallmark of the sisters. Beyond their individual ministries, many sisters also participate in a range of service activities such as working at Community Table, sharing resources with Interfaith Hospitality organizations, and working for peace and justice by serving the needs of the poor and others with special needs.

Saint Bede Monastery and Center is a blend of serenity, peace, activity, and natural beauty. People of many faiths come to pray, reflect, interact, learn, and share with others. We invite your questions about the sisters of Saint Bede and welcome your visit.