JUNE 2009  RETREAT

Ephrem Hollermann, OSB

          Title:  “Perspectives on the Spirituality of Monastic Profession”

         

          Topics:Introduction

        The Suscipe and Monastic Longing

                        The Covenant and Monastic Fidelity

        The Sacramentality of Monastic Profession

                        Monastic Profession and the Kenosis of Christ

        Humility, the Heart of Monastic Profession

        Celebrating Conversatio

                        Stability and Staying

                        Offering Obedience

                        The Unity of the Monastic Promise

OUR SPEAKER

Sister Ephrem Hollermann, OSB

Monastic Profession, St. Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, MN, 1963

Educational Background

Ph.D. Religious Studies, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, 1991

Concentration:  Historical Theology/Church History

Focus:  Nineteenth-Century American Catholic History and Thought

Dissertation:  “The Reshaping of a Tradition: American Benedictine

                                     Women, 1852-1881”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

M.A. Theology, St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN, 1976

Concentration:  New Testament Theology

B.A. Elementary Education and Social Science, College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, MN 1967

Professional Experience

Associate Professor of Theology and Koch Chair in Catholic Thought and Culture, College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University, 2006-

Prioress, St. Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, MN, 1995 – 2005

Assistant Professor of Theology, College of Saint Benedict, 1987 – 1995; tenured and promoted to rank of Associate Professor, spring, 1996

Doctoral Student, 1983 – 1987

Director of Novices and Initial Formation, St. Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph, MN, 1976 – 1983, and part-time Instructor of Theology at the College of Saint Benedict (1977-1979)

Teacher of Religion, Cathedral High School, St. Cloud, MN, 1974 – 1976

Junior High Teacher of English and Religion, various schools throughout the

     Diocese of St. Cloud, 1964 – 1974

Publications

“Berakah: Stance of Christian Contemplative Prayer,” Benedictines 30:1 (Spring-

            Summer 1975), pp. 1-16.

“An Historical Perspective on Feminine Monastic Identity,” The Proceedings of the American Benedictine Academy Convention, 1992, pp. 47 – 58.

The Reshaping of a Tradition: American Benedictine Women, 1852-1881. Winona, MN: St. Mary’s Press for The Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph, MN, 1994.

“Riepp, Benedicta (Sybilla) 1825 – 1862” The Encyclopedia of American Catholic History, Eds. Michael Glazier and Thomas J. Shelley, Collegeville, MN, The Liturgical Press, 1997, pp. 1209 – 1210.

“Riepp, Benedicta (Sybilla) 1825 – 1862,” Encyclopedia of Monasticism, Ed. William M. Johnston, Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, 2000, pp. 1078-1079.

“Humility in the Rule of Benedict: A Theological and Historical Analysis of Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Interpretations,” The American Benedictine Review 51:30 (September 2000), pp. 254 – 281.

“Reading the Signs of the Times: The Good News of Monastic Life,” The Proceedings of the American Benedictine Academy Convention, August 10 – 13, 2000, pp. 4-7.

“Liebe, stark wie der tod: Benediktinerinnen und Zisterzienserinnen in Nordamerika,” Erbe und Auftrag-Benediktinische Monastische Welt, 82:3 (August 2006)

            pp. 265-281 (English translation to be published in American Benedictine Review, December 2008).

Publication Pending: Five entries (Benedictine Sisters, Religious Formation Conference, Frances Xavier Cabrini, Mary Katherine Drexel, Benedicta Riepp) in The Westminster Dictionary of Women in American Religious History, Westminster John Knox Press; submitted in October, 2005.

Relevant Connections to Benedictine Study and Scholarship

Scholar and observer of Benedictine monasticism for nearly three decades, with a particular revisionist approach to Benedictine women’s history

Before and during time of serving as Prioress, interacted with dozens of communities in North America as presenter, retreat director, federation delegate, visitator

As prioress, traveled to and interacted with members of Benedictine monasteries in Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Italy, Germany, Taiwan and Japan

Member of the American Benedictine Academy, 1986 to the present

Associate Editor for The American Benedictine Review, 1994 to the present

Of Human Interest

I love to cook, and I tend a small flower garden in the spring/summer.

Historical novels and poetry are categories at the top of my leisure reading list.

I’m a homebody and hate to wear shoes!

To register call:

317.788.7581

or

email:  benedictinn@benedictinn.org.

Registration Deadline:  June 1, 2009

or

Call us for availability