CARING FOR THE BODY, THE SOUL, & THE EARTH
The Community of St. Mary, Southern Province, is a women’s Benedictine community within the Episcopal Church that expresses its way of life through care for the body, the soul, and the earth. We seek to address the spiritual and temporal needs of our society through our life of prayer and solitude, our ministry to the poor, through spiritual direction and hospitality, the various endeavors of our Organic Prayer Program and our website, and through our work in churches-both in the USA and the Philippines. We serve as a spiritual resource for all seekers, especially those interested in Benedictine spirituality, care for creation, and concern for the poor.
Our patron, St. Mary, is the model for our “yes” to God, through which we respond to the needs of our society and practice responsible stewardship. Our convent, its gardens and grounds represent part of our contribution to the healing of the earth and its creatures. Through them and through us, we seek to offer a quiet, friendly environment where we and others may listen to God, learn from God’s Word and from creation, and put our faith into practice by promoting a healthy, balanced and compassionate lifestyle for all.
The Sisters center their lives around the worship of God by praying the Daily Offices found in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and in the daily celebration of the Eucharist. ..
The Community of St. Mary invites young people to experience a year alongside the Community, rooted in S.O.I.L (Sacramental, Organic, Intentional Living), sharing the rhythm and routine of daily prayer...
The best vocation for any person is the one God intends for that person. Vocation to the religious life is not a “higher” calling, but it is a unique calling, one that has its own blessings and challenges...