About us
Welcome!
We are the Contemplative Sisters of St. John. A branch of the larger family of St. John (which includes Brothers and Apostolic Sisters). We strive to live hidden lives of prayer, study and work. Following the example of our father, St. John, the beloved disciple, our life is marked by a devotion to Mary who stood with St. John at the foot of the cross.
Each day begins with an hour of silent prayer before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and we take another hour of adoration together after the office of vespers in the evening. Once a month, the sisters welcome families to a special time of adoration especially geared to guide young children in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament (from Sept-June).
The Word of God has a special place in our life through a prayerful reading of Scripture called “Lectio Divina,” a practice which has survived many centuries of monastic tradition.
We strive to live the silence of the Virgin Mary throughout our day, which allows to keep in mind the presence of God and hear his voice. For this reason, much of our prayer is in silence, In our other activities also, such as meals, work, and services, we strive to keep silence and a spirit of recollection .
We pray together the prayer of the Church, the Divine Office three times a day (five on Sundays). Intercession on behalf of our Apostolic Brothers and Sisters, the needs of the Church, and of the whole world plays an important role for us . During these times, the Sister especially pray for those intentions entrusted to them. The Holy Mass also holds a prominent place in the life of the Community, being at the center of the day all week.
In order to maintain the convent, the sisters are engaged in many different types of work, including cooking, gardening, convent daily maintenance and chores, organizational work. Amidst all this, we find a little time to make various skilled craftwork to help provide a means of support. You can view these items on our products page.
The life of the Sisters provides many occasions to practice fraternal charity and share the joys of community life; in common work, in recreations, and community celebrations.
Welcome!
We are the Contemplative Sisters of St. John. A branch of the larger family of St. John (which includes Brothers and Apostolic Sisters). We strive to live hidden lives of prayer, study and work. Following the example of our father, St. John, the beloved disciple, our life is marked by a devotion to Mary who stood with St. John at the foot of the cross.
Each day begins with an hour of silent prayer before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and we take another hour of adoration together after the office of vespers in the evening. Once a month, the sisters welcome families to a special time of adoration especially geared to guide young children in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament (from Sept-June).
The Word of God has a special place in our life through a prayerful reading of Scripture called “Lectio Divina,” a practice which has survived many centuries of monastic tradition.
We strive to live the silence of the Virgin Mary throughout our day, which allows to keep in mind the presence of God and hear his voice. For this reason, much of our prayer is in silence, In our other activities also, such as meals, work, and services, we strive to keep silence and a spirit of recollection .
We pray together the prayer of the Church, the Divine Office three times a day (five on Sundays). Intercession on behalf of our Apostolic Brothers and Sisters, the needs of the Church, and of the whole world plays an important role for us . During these times, the Sister especially pray for those intentions entrusted to them. The Holy Mass also holds a prominent place in the life of the Community, being at the center of the day all week.
In order to maintain the convent, the sisters are engaged in many different types of work, including cooking, gardening, convent daily maintenance and chores, organizational work. Amidst all this, we find a little time to make various skilled craftwork to help provide a means of support. You can view these items on our products page.
The life of the Sisters provides many occasions to practice fraternal charity and share the joys of community life; in common work, in recreations, and community celebrations.
History
The Community of the Contemplative Sisters of Saint John was founded on December 8, 1982 by Father Marie Dominique Philippe, O.P. seven years after the Brothers of Saint John. On March 25, 1994 they were established as a religious Institute of Diocesan Right by the Archbishop of Lyon, France. They opened a house in the diocese of Peoria, IL on June 1997.
The Contemplative Sisters usually establish their houses near a priory of their Brothers, so they can take part in the mission of their apostolic Brothers and Sisters by their presence, prayer, and service. The Contemplative Sisters of Saint John desire to live a life of prayer and adoration. Their mission is to be silent witnesses of Christ's love for the Church and for all men. {Read more about the Family of St John...}
The Saint Therese Convent in Princeville, IL serves as the novitiate for the Contemplative Sisters of Saint John in the United States. Young women enter the postulancy and then continue their religious formation here as novices. At some point during the formation years, sisters will spend time with the community in France to have an experience of the motherhouse and the larger community of sisters.
The Contemplative Sisters of St John dedicate part of their day to manual work. The products presented on this website have been handcrafted by the Sisters. Their craft work helps to supply for their needs as much as possible, yet due to the demands of their life of prayer, they are unable to fully meet their material needs. For this reason they gratefully accept donations from benefactors.
{Contact us}
The Community of the Contemplative Sisters of Saint John was founded on December 8, 1982 by Father Marie Dominique Philippe, O.P. seven years after the Brothers of Saint John. On March 25, 1994 they were established as a religious Institute of Diocesan Right by the Archbishop of Lyon, France. They opened a house in the diocese of Peoria, IL on June 1997.
The Contemplative Sisters usually establish their houses near a priory of their Brothers, so they can take part in the mission of their apostolic Brothers and Sisters by their presence, prayer, and service. The Contemplative Sisters of Saint John desire to live a life of prayer and adoration. Their mission is to be silent witnesses of Christ's love for the Church and for all men. {Read more about the Family of St John...}
The Saint Therese Convent in Princeville, IL serves as the novitiate for the Contemplative Sisters of Saint John in the United States. Young women enter the postulancy and then continue their religious formation here as novices. At some point during the formation years, sisters will spend time with the community in France to have an experience of the motherhouse and the larger community of sisters.
The Contemplative Sisters of St John dedicate part of their day to manual work. The products presented on this website have been handcrafted by the Sisters. Their craft work helps to supply for their needs as much as possible, yet due to the demands of their life of prayer, they are unable to fully meet their material needs. For this reason they gratefully accept donations from benefactors.
{Contact us}
