Volunteer in Community
Working on the land, living in community
- Meet God and yourself in nature.
- Experience knowledgeable leadership in ecology.
- Work with your hands, engage your mind.
- Take a break from your busy schedule just to be.
- Pray, work, listen, share meals, and make new friends in a beautiful, loving and affirming environment.
If you are a single woman, our Volunteer in Community program welcomes you to explore a shared way of life with the Benedictine Women of Madison. You’ll live at the monastery, and experience the rhythm of work, prayer, study and leisure in this ecumenical Benedictine community.
You will work on the prairie and monastery grounds, share in common meals, explore Benedictine spirituality and deepen your relationship with God.
You’ll have the opportunity to develop relationships with people of different backgrounds and traditions. We invite you to become part of a committed group of people working to preserve the natural and spiritual environment that makes Holy Wisdom Monastery special.
Volunteer in Community
June 18 – July 13, 2012
- Volunteer for at least two weeks and up to 4 weeks.
- Room and meals are provided.
Click here for a printable brochure about this program.
Past Volunteers in Community share their reflections here :
- Read reflections from our 2010 volunteers.
- Read excerpts from a blog by Sarah Noceda, a 2011 volunteer.
- Read blog posts by Sara Jo Emmerich, a 2009 and 2011 volunteer.
How do I apply?
1) Complete and submit the application form. Application deadline: May 25, 2012. Click here for online form. Click here to view application form as pdf.
2) Complete and submit a letter of intent. Please address your reasons for applying, greatest hope for your volunteer experience, skills you hope to use, what you can offer Holy Wisdom Monastery, how long you would like to volunteer, etc. Letter may be emailed to Ann Moyer or mailed to:
Ann Moyer
Holy Wisdom Monastery
PO Box 5070
Madison, WI 53705
3) Contact two references (other than relatives) and ask them to submit a letter of recommendation. Click here for online form (page link can be copied and pasted into an email request to your references). Click here to view letter of recommendation form as pdf.
Contact Ann for more information at (608) 836-1631 x197.
View the video below to see 2010 Volunteers in Community at work on the prairie here at Holy Wisdom Monastery.
View the video below for an in-depth look at the 2009 Volunteer in Community experience. Video created by Jenn Lindsay, a 2009 participant.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Volunteer in Community is a great opportunity.
I volunteered for 2 summers in a row and the sisters and staff and other volunteers were wonderful. I enjoyed watching this video and remembering my time there.
Hi Abi, it’s great to hear from you! If you are in the Madison area, come out sometime. Six women are coming for Volunteer in Community this summer. We are looking forward to meeting them!
Are there any Benedictine communities in the Northeast?
Yes, there are a few Benedictine communities in the Northeast. If you stretch that area to include Kentucky you will find the only other ecumenical Benedictine community, in addition to Benedictine Women of Madison, in Martin, KY. The most complete information about communities throughout the US can be found on the Order of St Benedict website at: http://www.osb.org/intl/confed/nacong.html.