Benedicta Riepp OSB Lives On and On…
Standing by the grave of Mother Benedicta Riepp, OSB is absolutely inspiring. Reading the words written on her marker moved me to tears.
MOTHER BENEDICTA(SYBILLA) RIEPP, OSB
FOUNDRESS OF BENEDICTINE WOMEN IN AMERICA
BORN IN WALL, BAVARIA/GERMANY, IN 1825
CAME TO PENNSYLVANIA FROM ST. WALBURG ABBEY
IN EICHSTATT, BAVARIA, IN 1852
ARRIVED IN ST. CLOUD, MINNESOTA, IN 1858
BY THE TIME OF HER DEATH IN 1862, BENEDICTINE
CONVENTS HAD BEEN FOUNDED IN ST. MARYS AND ERIE,
PENNSYLVANIA; NEWARK, NEW JERSEY; ST.CLOUD, MINNESOTA;
COVINGTON, KENTUCKY; AND CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Math has never been a strong suit for me, but even I can see that she, with the help of Benedictine sisters and by the grace of God, did so many amazing things in just TEN YEARS! And her legacy continues strong.
These sisters: built and staffed hospitals, pre-schools, elementary schools, high schools, and colleges and continued to serve those institutions in countless ways.
I was one of the children who were blessed to attend aCatholic elementary schools started by the Benedictine sisters. In addition to teaching me to read, write, and do math, they taught me how to pay attention, to sing, and to know that Jesus loved me and wanted me to be kind to others. As I reflect on everything I learned from the sisters and lay teachers at St. Mary’s school, I am overwhelmed with awe and my heart is filled with gratitude. To this day, I am blessed to be friends with my first-grade teacher.
When I was child, the sisters taught me to pray as a child. After growing to middle age, they taught me new ways to pray as an adult. The sisters taught me to listen to scripture with the ear of my heart - they taught me to open my heart to God in silence. They were my spiritual directors: they listened to me and loved me exactly as I was, even when I did not love myself. They saw in me things I could not see and helped to guide me into my life call, the ministry of spiritual direction.
Everything I have done in my life has been built on Benedictine values. Still, never in all my life would I have thought I would be directly involved in carrying on the legacy of Benedict Riepp, by being part of the spiritual direction team at St. Paul's monastery.
If it were not for Benedicta Riepp, I would not be who I am today.
Thank you, Sisters who have followed in Mother Benedicta Riepp’s footsteps, lived the rule of Benedict, and used the gospel of Jesus as your guide to serving the world. You have changed the world with your love and service.
