Every time I’ve had the privilege of visiting Valley of Our Lady Monastery in Prairie du Sac I’ve been impressed by the joy shining on the faces of the Cistercian Sisters.
These cloistered Sisters — who live in silence quite a bit of the day — have very warm smiles and cheerful dispositions. They make me want to smile, too!
The Sisters do not take a vow of silence, but they speak only during specific times of recreation or as necessary to accomplish their work in the monastery.
Perhaps it’s because they don’t speak all the time that they appreciate the opportunity to talk when they can. Or more importantly, it’s because of the joy they experience in their times of communal and personal prayer that brings them such happiness.
Work and prayer
I first visited Valley of Our Lady Monastery many years ago to write a story about their altar bread making. It was interesting to watch the Sisters — dressed in full habits but wearing tennis shoes — working at a large machine to make the altar breads.
Now they make up to 13 million altar breads each year to send to churches across the country.
As they work, they also pray. In fact, they begin their day at 3:30 a.m., alternating their day between times of communal liturgy (consisting of seven periods of chanting the Psalms and other prayers in Latin), private prayer and reading, work, recreation, and Mass.
I’ve heard their chanting — although I can’t be present in the same room — and it sounds heavenly!
In diocese since 1957
The Sisters came to the Diocese of Madison in 1957 from Switzerland at the request of our first bishop, Bishop William P. O’Connor. They took up in residence in the summer home of the former Wisconsin Governor Emanuel Philipp.
Valley of Our Lady Monastery was never intended to be a permanent monastery, and over the years, it has deteriorated to the point that it is literally crumbling around the Sisters. They need a new home, including a new altar bread workshop that allows for a more efficient operation.
Another factor is the growth of the Cistercian community. About 10 years ago, they began to experience more Sisters entering their order at Valley of Our Lady. There are now 22 Sisters who have come from all over the United States, as well as from a few other countries, including Mexico, Brazil, the Philippines, and Canada.
They are running out of room to house these Sisters in their current monastery.
Campaign to build a new monastery
So the Cistercian Sisters are conducting a campaign called “For the Glory of God” to raise funds to build a new monastery.
They hope to raise $18 million to construct the new monastery on a secluded 225-acre farm in Iowa County. They need to raise $10-12 million for Phase I of the project, so that the Sisters can move to a healthy and safe environment as soon as possible.
All will benefit
All people will benefit from this new monastery, especially because it is a place of prayer, where the Sisters can continue to praise God and intercede for his people.
More tangibly, the Sisters will make the monastery available to visitors, oblates, friends, and families with a church for visitors to attend Mass, guest confessionals, private retreat opportunities, and the opportunity to experience the peaceful environment of the monastery.
Prayer and support
All of us are invited to pray for the success of the Sisters’ campaign. I also plan to contribute financially to their campaign, and I encourage others in the Diocese of Madison and beyond to consider a gift to help the Sisters build their new monastery.
Please consider sending a gift designated to the New Monastery Building Fund to the Sisters by contacting Sister Bede, Valley of Our Lady, E11096 Yanke Dr., Prairie du Sac, WI 53578, phone 608-643-3520, or email [email protected] More information on the Sisters’ plans, including a video about the Sisters’ life of prayer and work, can be found at their website: https://build.valleyofourlady.org