When you become a member of Monasteries of the Heart you receive free weekly practices that can help you develop a monastic spirituality—prayer, lectio (reflective reading), good works, study and community. You also receive free inspirational words each week from three monastic blogs, including one by Sister Joan Chittister. And you join a worldwide community whose members discuss meaningful issues and are intent on impacting the times.
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In addition to new weekly content, Monasteries of the Heart offers regular online courses, retreats and book discussions. While some of this curriculum content is free, many of the courses and retreats have a small fee. Courses and retreats usually include several emails a week, exclusive video or audio content and a facilitated discussion. Click here to see all available offerings. You must have a free membership and be logged in to register for and access courses and retreats.
Course or Retreat in session now
Instruction on monastic spirituality and way of life is essential if members of Monasteries of the Heart are to carry forward and keep alive the ancient Benedictine tradition.
Initial Monastic Formation for New Members
Study based on the book
The Monastery of the Heart by Joan Chittister
A Gentle Invitation
In her book, Insights for the Ages, Sister Joan explains that the Rule of Benedict "is not concerned with a single time and place, a single set of devotions, or a single ministry...
Open access to Mary of Nazareth: Reflections from Joan Chittister
Monasteries of the Heart would like to offer all members open access to Mary of Nazareth: Reflections from Joan Chittister. Our hope is that the meditative Hail Mary in monastic chant and the reflections from Joan Chittister on Mary as a strong woman who lived through difficult and trying circumstances—but found the fingerprint of God in all of them—will bring you some comfort and hope during our collective difficult time. Click here to access the eRetreat. You must have a free membership account here at Monasteries of the Heart to access the eRetreat.
Next Course or Retreat to be offered
Four to six courses and retreats are offered each year at Monasteries of the Heart. This is our next online offering.
Joan Chittister writes: “Every century, every culture has sought the spiritual dimensions of life in particular ways, in language and symbols and lifestyles it could embrace. Across the ages, countless women and men in East and West chose the path of monastic life, either in solitude or in community.” With the challenges and possibilities of our particular time and place, how can we cultivate a monastery of the heart? What does this ancient tradition teach our contemporary culture? Three-week eCourse runs May 4-22. >>>FULL DESCRIPTION
This eCourse will feature a special, one-time-only video conference call with Joan Chittister on Friday, May 15, on the Zoom video conferencing platform.