After several years of active discernment, the Sisters made the decision to sell the Priory complex and begin anew. The Sisters desired a monastery that would support growing pastoral ministries and deepening community life. Plans were drafted as dreams were articulated. The second St. Placid Priory was sold to a Japanese college and ground was broken for the new monastery. The fertile soil of our own lives was also broken and prepared for new growth. Our time in diaspora opened us to new ways of being community, and of relating to friends and family. Associates, Boosters and St. Placid Club members reached out in support; new possibilities were envisioned.

The new monastery grew out of the values of the Sisters: simple, rooted in the environment, reflective of the culture of the Pacific Northwest. Every effort was made to save trees and protect wetlands. The monastery is designed for easy access and to welcome all guests as Christ. A retreat house was included for the growing Priory Spirituality Center; later, space was made for the Priory Store. The chapel was designed to be open for visitors seeking a place for prayer. Simplicity prevails throughout. We have continued our commitment to care for the environment: protecting and cultivating the wetlands, diversifying the forest of trees and caring for the plants.

The Sisters came to discover that, as we shape a building for who we think we are at the time of construction, the building in turn begins to shape its new occupants. Our experience of living community deepened. Missions began to close and Sisters moved home; ministry became increasingly focused on our monastic tradition and the desire of the People of God for a deepening of the contemplative in their own lives. With our new monastery, greater numbers of people began to join us for Mass and Liturgy of the Hours. Many join us after Sunday Mass for coffee and conversation. Others stop in for brief moments of prayer and quiet throughout the week. Our library is frequented; guests are a common sight.

We have continued our commitment to the Liturgy of the Hours as well as our peace and justice work. We continue to seek ways to share our spirituality and monastic tradition. The Associates have continued to increase, attracting a diverse group of people. Now we have an Oblate program that is growing, offering another level of commitment and involvement in our community.

Our international connections have broadened and deepened. Before the diaspora, we shared the second Priory building with the Japanese College, and lasting friendships were forged with some of the students. It is here that the seeds of our African connection germinated. In the years to come, hundreds of boxes of books and school supplies would find their way to women's Benedictine communities in Nigeria, Namibia and Tanzania as well as The Philippines. This relationship has blossomed into our connection and commitment to the Benedictine Sisters of St. Agnes, Chipole in Tanzania. Swahili is now heard in our halls along with English. Sisters Beatrice, Redemista, Anamaria and Redempta teach us of the ways to be Benedictine with an eastern African flavor. This is a nice mirroring of our Federation of Saint Benedict, which now includes member monasteries in Japan, Taiwan, Puerto Rico and The Bahamas.

Over the years our friends and collaborators have become an increasingly rich and diverse group. Many faith traditions, many flavors of Christianity and many languages now grace our monastery. A commitment to the contemplative life, to peace and justice and the common search for God bind us together. We are blessed with writers and artists, activists and pray-ers, musicians, spinners and knitters. Friends help us with our ministries and hospitality; they are lectoring and serving at Mass. Some have graciously shared their musical talents with the Schola.

We do not know what God has in store for our future. We know that our friends, Associates and Oblates will be a significant part of that future. We invite women whose lives are prayerful and compassionate to consider melding their lives and calling with ours. Our faith commitment to the "place of littleness" where the Holy Spirit has put us is well expressed in the new home for little St. Placid, given by our friends, where he waits to greet all guests who come to seek life.

For Sister Laura's other articles, go to
Living Lectio: Pioneering Years
Living Lectio: Founding
Living Lectio: Unexpected Twists and Turns

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