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Find more information about the parts of the Rite of Dedication and their symbolism in our recent newsletter
Solemn Vespers for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
A reminder that there will be a Solemn Vespers on September 14th in honor of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Vespers begins at 4pm in the monastery Oratory. There will be a Solemn Blessing with a relic of the True Cross and an opportunity to venerate the relic.
Please RSVP with the following link:
Aug 24: Rite of Dedication Mass
While the faithful are finding their seats, the ministers gather in the courtyard for the entrance procession
The bells peal with great joy at this solemn event; the procession begins from the courtyard into the oratory
We were blessed to have three abbots present (Abbot Vinzenz Wohlwend, O.Cist., Abbot Peter Verhalen, O.Cist. & Abbot Emeritus Brendan Freeman, OCSO) and Bishop Hying presiding
Once all were gathered in the Oratory, holy water was blessed
Bishop Hying then sprinkled with holy water the Oratory walls and the people, then the sanctuary and the altar; Afterwards, all joined in singing the Gloria
After the readings, the homily and the Creed, all knelt for the Litany of the Saints as we invoked these heavenly patrons’ intercession
After the Litany of the Saints, Bishop Hying prayed the lengthy Prayer of Dedication, asking God to pour forth from heaven your sanctifying power upon this church and upon this altar to make this forever a holy place
Bishop Hying poured Sacred Chrism on the center and four corners of the new altar
Bishop Hying then covered the entire altar with Sacred Chrism, definitively consecrating the altar to God
Bishop Hying and Abbot Vinzenz, O.Cist., accompanied by the acolytes, move through the Oratory to anoint the walls
Twelve locations were anointed with Sacred Chrism, marked by a tile and adorned with a candle
Bishop Hying burned incense upon the newly anointed altar
Then Bishop Hying incensed the altar
Abbot Vinzenz & Abbot Peter then walk through the Oratory incensing the walls and the people
The sisters then cleaned the altar
The nuns then lovingly dressed the altar
The nuns carefully prepared the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist
The nuns put the final touches on the altar to prepare it for the Liturgy of the Eucharist
Mother Anne Marie received a light from the Bishop with the words: Let the light of Christ shine brightly in the Church, that all nations may attain the fullness of truth; She then lit the the altar candles for the first time
The acolytes then lit the candles at the twelve anointing locations throughout the Oratory
The Mass then continued as usual; our eldest nuns brought up the gifts
Bishop Hying prayed over the gifts: May the gifts of your joyful Church be acceptable to you, O Lord, so that your people, gathered in this holy house, may come through these mysteries to everlasting salvation
It is the presence of Christ that truly consecrates the altar; we were blessed with many concelebrating priests for this first Eucharist upon the new altar
We pray this Oratory always be For the Glory of God!
A good time was had by all; guests make their way to the luncheon
We were blessed to have two abbesses present for the celebration, including Mother Bede, O.Cist. from Frauenthal Abbey
Mother Anne Marie addressed the guests at the reception, bringing both laugher and tears, but most of all – gratitude of God
Aug 21: Preparations for Dedication Mass
The preparations for the Dedication Mass are in full swing.
The tiles and candleholders are in place, awaiting anointing.
There is still room to join us in person – sign up here
Can’t join us for the Mass? You can watch the livestream ceremony here. (note: watching the Mass online does not fulfill your Sunday obligation unless your pastor has give that permission)
Can’t join for the livestream? We hope to post the recording of the Mass on our YouTube Channel by the end of next week.
July 24: Solar Array Blessing
For good measure, we blessed the solar array and inverter. Fr. David Klecker, OSB was honored to do the blessing while he was here on his annual visit to the sisters.
July 19: RSVPs open
Sign up for upcoming events with the following links:
All Saints Day Relic Veneration & Mass November 1st
Immaculate Conception Mass December 8th
No need to sign up to join the livestream. Watch the Dedication Mass live here. (note: watching the Mass online does not fulfill your Sunday obligation unless your pastor has give that permission)
July 10: Solar.. passed!
Alliant Energy & All Sky Energy were able to re-group to test the solar array – and we passed! We will soon be running on solar!
June 20: Summer Solstice Solar.. almost
Fittingly, on the summer solstice we had extensive testing on the new solar array in order to be one step closer to fully operational. The battery testing went great. The inverter testing could have gone better. Alliant Energy & All Sky Energy will re-group soon. Meanwhile, landscaping season has begun.
June 19: Corpus Christi Procession & Vow Renewal
We were blessed to celebrate Corpus Christi with a procession. The weather allowed us to have this outside. Sr Maria also renewed her temporary vows. With the latest Church legislation contemplative nuns are required to have five years of temporary vows before solemn profession – she is three years down, two to go!
Late May: Processions & Solar Finishing Up
We observed the Ascension of the Lord and the Visitation of Our Lady with the traditional evening processions in the cloister walk. Meanwhile, the solar array installation is wrapping up. The various electrical equipment & batteries were put in place. We’re aiming for mid-June for the official switch over to solar power.
Early May: Getting Connected
With the Solar Array panels up, now comes the task of wiring the array and connecting it to the monastery and utilities. The bedrock makes this task more of a challenge, but All Sky Energy has made great progress. We are still on schedule to be fully operational in June.
April 10: Tabernacle Blessing
Fitted with temporary doors, the new tabernacle was blessed by Msgr. Uppena during the Mass on April 10th; After invoking God’s blessing, Msgr. sprinkled with holy water and incensed the tabernacle
After Holy Communion was distributed, the Eucharist was reserved in the tabernacle for the first time and honored with incense
After Mass, Msgr. relocated the ciborium and luna from the old tabernacle; we expect the permanent tabernacle doors to be installed this summer but we’re grateful to be able to use the tabernacle meanwhile
April 3: Solar Array Progress
Curious plants have sprouted this Spring near the monastery; first tall stems and now flowers are appearing! The long-awaited solar array is being installed!
One of the many fatalities of budget cuts, we weren’t sure we would see the solar array realized; with your generous support we were able to add this feature back to the project. They hope to be operational by mid-June.
The 61.6 kW (DC) / 53.7 kW (AC) ground mount array should be a great help to our electrical bill, especially as the building was designed with these in mind; the five accompanying batteries will allow us to maximize our use of solar production and provide power in the event of an outage
March 28: Disposition of Relics
The community gathers for the ceremony to solemnly deposit the relics into the altar before the ‘mensa’ is placed
Msgr Bartylla presides at the ceremony; the installers and architects participate from the guest nave
We invoke the prayers of all the Saints (including the martyrs to be placed under the altar) during the Litany of the Saints
Three altar stones were carefully deposited: one from Fraunthal Abbey that has been used by the community from the beginning of our foundation, one from Springbank Abbey that we were entrusted with, and one from the Diocese consecrated by Bishop O’Connor, the bishop at the founding of our community
Everyone watches as the ‘mensa’ of the altar is put into place, sealing the altar stones with relics into the altar
The final touches on the altar are supervised by Mother Anne Marie and Msgr. Bartylla
March 26-28: Altar Installation
The installation crew carefully unpacks the crates; like a giant marble puzzle they figure out how the pieces fit together
The installation was assisted by a large winch used to lift and move the heavier pieces
The altar ‘mensa’ is carefully removed from it’s crate and suspended until after the relics are placed
The ambo is assembled and then blessed by Msgr. Bartylla
The beautiful tabernacle, incorporated into an altar of repose, matches the façade of the Oratory
Final touches are added to the altar; this will remain unused until it is consecrated at the Dedication ceremony
March 8: One Year Anniversary
One year ago today we relocated to the New Monastery! We look back on this past year with much gratitude to God and to our benefactors for this new home. We spent the day in prayer & thanksgiving, asking Our generous God to bless all who had a hand in this project.
We look forward to Dedicating the Oratory to God this year. We come one step closer with the installation of the new altar, now scheduled for the last week of March.
PLEASE NOTE: there will be no public Masses on Thursday March 27th & Friday March 28th while the new altar is installed.
February 14: Crates Arrive
Six crates fill the Guest Nave containing the marble pieces of the altar of sacrifice, altar of repose, tabernacle, & ambo
Assembly and installation of the pieces were scheduled to begin on Feb 24… but a medical emergency of the installer has caused a delay
January 2025: Oratory Furnishings coming
The new altars, tabernacle, and ambo for the Oratory are headed our way! They were shipped from Italy in late December and are currently on a boat on the Atlantic! In anticipation of their arrival next month, we will be preparing the Oratory.
Previous Videos
January 11 VIDEO CLIP
November 7 VIDEO CLIP
October 25 VIDEO CLIP
October 11 VIDEO CLIP
July 18 VIDEO CLIP
June 1 VIDEO CLIP
APRIL 24 VIDEO CLIP
Slideshow of Previous Updates:
September 2022 to April 2023
Ground-breaking
Site excavation continues in earnest
Drilling in Action
Basement wall Formwork begun
Foundations begin to take shape
Foundation in place for the Communion Wafer Workshop
Foundations continue to take shape
Site work continues, despite the weather
Basement wall complete
The first wall goes up!
Communion Wafer Workshop wall framing
Communion Wafer Workshop takes on new heights
Construction undaunted by winter weather
Communion wafer workshop gains roof trusses
The first steel floor joists are placed over the basement
Masonry walls for the elevator shaft and stairwell reach the first floor
Drone’s-eye view of the building site March 3
Sr Aleydis & Architect Kevin Clark inspect insulation for basement
Western stairs and elevator shaft completed
Finishing up the foundation walls around the cloister
Loading dock and garage framed and sheathed
Northeast stair tower is begun
Much progress made
Bell tower & Stair tower complete
Progress continues
Rainwater harvesting equipment installation
Wall Mockup 3.0
May 2023 to January 2024
Drone’s-eye view of the progress May 15
Getting started on the stone wainscot
Careful Sealant Treatment
Windows installed
Sisters envision the completed Monastery
Stone facing at the loading dock
North Range third floor underway
Steel for Chapel frame arrives
Newly framed statue alcoves
Stonework in Courtyard
Drywall in CWW
Chapel Framing Continues
Siding making good progress
Progress on the stone cladding on the West stair-tower
Siding nearing completion
Electrical Work
Chapel Window Framing
Drywall installation & touch ups
Chapel Sheathing
Floor and Ceiling work
Chapel windows installed
The nuns christen the Chapel with prayers
Progress continues, Autumn scenery
Sidewalks going in
Chapel Façade nearly complete
Chapel adorned with a Cross!
Parking lot & turn around paved
Stone on West & North complete
Stone on East wall of Chapel
North Range framing
Elevator Installation
Chapel fully Enclosed
Phase I Bakery Relocation
Bakers Disassembled
January 2024 to December 2024
Phase II Bakery Relocation
Baker Reassembly
Baker Testing
Phase 3 Bakery Relocation
Preparations for the Move!
Community Relocation!
Chapel filled with scaffolding for ceiling work
Bell Blessing
Bell Installation
Chapel Groin Vaults
Grounds work continues
Sanctuary steps poured
Plants for Landscaping
Cemetery Blessing
Cemetery moved to New Monastery
New Novice Invested
First Mass in the Oratory!
Sr Mary John Professes Solemn Vows
New Monastery Tours Oct 11-12
Novena of Masses Begins
Media Links
“Cloistered Religious and the Common Good”
Bridge Builder Podcast; 7 March, 2021
“The Monastery and Evangelization”
Blazing the Trail Podcast; 24 February, 2021
“Making a Monastery”
Spectrum News 1; 14 February, 2021
“Cistercian Nuns and the Fermentation Fest”
WI State Journal; 28 September, 2020
“Living Life as a Cloistered Cistercian Nun”
Blessed Is She Blog; 20 February, 2020
“Cistercian Nuns Seek Help”
Catholic News Agency; 30 January, 2020
“Valley of Our Lady In Need of a New Monastery”
Sancrucensis Post; 28 January, 2020
“Sisters Find Grace in the Challenges”
Global Sisters Report; 16 December, 2019
“Drawing Our Will Into God’s”
St Paul-Minneapolis Catholic Spirit; 5 November, 2019
“Cistercian Sisters Seek Prayer and Support”
Madison Catholic Herald; 9 October, 2019
“Enclosed in Silence: Cistercians’ Life of Prayer Draws Millennial Women”
National Catholic Register; 3 June, 2019
“The Rediscover: Hour,” Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis
Radio interview; 29 March, 2019
