The Benedictine sisters of Wisconsin, deeply rooted in their prairie home, would never consider themselves renegades.
Their progressive spirit shines through their decision to embrace Protestants within their Roman Catholic community, and even more so in their tireless, decades-long endeavor to restore 170 acres of land surrounding their monastery. What were once simple lawns and farm fields have been lovingly transformed into a vibrant, ecologically rich tapestry of oak savanna and native prairie, bursting with wildflowers, diverse grasses, buzzing insects, playful rabbits, and a symphony of birds.
For the sisters of Holy Wisdom Monastery, nestled just outside Madison, Wisconsin, these groundbreaking actions are simply a fulfillment of their profound spiritual calling: to extend radical hospitality to all people and to cherish and protect Earth as a truly sacred space.
Their commitment to the environment has not gone unnoticed; the sisters have garnered numerous awards for their ecological efforts, and their main building proudly holds the highest LEED sustainability certification, powered entirely by solar energy and regulated by geothermal wells. Yet, true to their vow of humility, all these accolades are modestly kept out of sight in a quiet conference room.
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Speak with any of these devoted sisters, however, and their deep affection for the flourishing land around them becomes immediately clear.
“Today, our human spirit desperately needs places of refuge where we can reconnect with our essence, recalling that our deepest selves are inherently kind, generous, and compassionate,” shared Sister Lynne Smith, 71, the prioress of the monastery. “This is what we envision for this place, and it’s already becoming a reality—a sanctuary where we live truly humanly, fostering those core values. A crucial part of this is recognizing our mutual, integral, and interdependent relationship with the Earth.”
Darcy Kind, a conservation biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, marvels at the “incredible” ecological benefits of this restored land. Last year alone, 132 bird species were observed here, including the state-threatened Henslow’s sparrow and the federally endangered rusty patched bumblebee.
“They’re small in number, but truly mighty in their impact,” remarked Leah Kleiman, a land restoration specialist for Dane County Parks, acknowledging the dedication of the sisters, monastery staff, and volunteers who are all instrumental in bringing this land back to life.
Established in the early 1950s, the monastery originally served as home to Benedictine sisters who also founded a Catholic girls’ high school. They acquired approximately 40 acres of farmland, cultivating food gardens and constructing the school and priory.
The Second Vatican Council in the 1960s marked a pivotal moment for the community. Inspired by Pope John XXIII’s call for Christian unity and to “throw open the windows of the church,” the sisters closed their high school and established a retreat and conference center, warmly welcoming non-Catholics.
Sister Joanne Kollasch, a member of the order since 1954, recalls the local bishop’s disapproval despite the neighboring community’s enthusiasm for their inclusive approach.
“We believed we were following God’s will, not merely the local bishop’s directives,” Sister Joanne, who is celebrating her 95th birthday this Wednesday, explained. “Our actions were a direct response to the needs we observed.”
No longer formally affiliated with the Catholic Church, the sisters persisted in their mission, extending their welcome to women of other Christian denominations. This included Sister Lynne, a retired Presbyterian pastor who joined in 1998. When Catholic canon law presented an obstacle to Protestant sisters joining, the community officially embraced an ecumenical identity in 2006, fostering unity across Christian traditions. Today, the monastery thrives under the guidance of the sisters and a dedicated staff of 24. Visitors of all beliefs are welcome to participate in their daily and weekly prayer services. Among the devoted regulars is Terry Larson, 78, a retired Lutheran pastor who also contributes his wisdom as a board member.
“In my four decades as a Lutheran minister, I’ve never experienced such profound spirituality as I do here,” Mr. Larson shared. “It’s truly the enchantment of this community combined with the serene magic of the prairie.”
Wisconsin once boasted an estimated two million acres of native prairie before European settlers arrived; today, less than half a percent remains. The sisters of Holy Wisdom view it as their sacred duty to diligently restore and protect what precious fragments they can.
“A monastic writer once described Benedictines as ‘lovers of the place,’” Sister Lynne recounted. “We commit to one location. We come to understand it deeply, to know its needs intimately. This connection nourishes our spirituality.” She emphasized, “Furthermore, we live with a profound awareness of our responsibility to future generations.”
Their ambitious restoration journey began modestly, with the planting of pine saplings and various shrubbery. Over time, they introduced grass waterways to control runoff from adjacent farmlands and transformed erosion-susceptible hillsides into lush woodlands.
A significant undertaking involved removing approximately 85,000 cubic yards of silt from a glacial lake on their grounds, which had accumulated due to drainage from neighboring farm fields and housing developments. This monumental effort restored the lake to its original depth, expanded its surface area from two to nine acres, and saw its borders flourishing with native aquatic plants.
Next, the sisters set their sights on prairie revitalization, initially purchasing enough wildflower and grass seeds for two acres. This work quickly grew, leading them to acquire additional land through a combination of donations, grants, revenue from their retreat center, and government program funding. From 2000 to 2015, they meticulously planted an average of 10 acres of prairie annually, utilizing seeds generously donated or gathered from other native areas.
While the sisters themselves undertook much of the labor, they also brought in skilled workers and rallied enthusiastic volunteers. In 2020, they hired a dedicated staff ecologist, Dr. Amy Alstad, who holds a doctorate in prairie grassland ecology, to guide their ambitious projects.
The monastery’s four miles of winding trails are open to all, though dogs and bikes are respectfully prohibited to maintain the contemplative atmosphere and protect the precious wildlife, particularly ground-nesting birds. Dr. Alstad frequently shares how visitors are inspired by their experience, often returning home motivated to plant pollinator gardens or install rain gardens – small, native plant-filled depressions designed to manage stormwater – in their own backyards.
“It’s a place that fosters connection, awe, and deep reverence,” Dr. Alstad mused. “Walking through that revitalized prairie, you feel both grand and humble. This land, once wounded, has now become a powerful healer itself.”
On a recent September morning, under the majestic, ruby-red leaves of a maple tree, dozens of volunteers convened outside the monastery. They set off along mowed paths winding through the monastery’s newest, most vibrant prairie section. Planted just a decade ago, this thriving expanse boasts 150 varieties of native grasses, sedges, and wildflowers. A gentle breeze created a “nodding sea” of Indian grass, while sawtooth sunflowers, invigorated by summer’s heat and rain, towered above everyone. Monarch butterflies drifted gracefully, accompanied by the cheerful chirps of goldfinches and black-capped chickadees.
Equipped with bags looped over their shoulders, the volunteers ventured into the dense growth, carefully collecting seeds destined to breathe new life into other prairie lands in need of restoration.
Although the number of sisters residing at the monastery has fluctuated through the years, currently there are just four dedicated women. This includes Sister Mary David Walgenbach, 86, a member since 1961, and the most recent addition, Sister Everline Jeruto, 53, who joined in 2019. Sister Lynne highlighted a recent reorganization of the monastery’s board, a strategic move to ensure that even if no new sisters join in the future, devoted laypeople will carry on the crucial work of nurturing the land’s health and spiritual vitality for all living beings.
“We depend on creation to truly discover who we are,” she affirmed. “It helps us understand that we are not masters over other human beings, nor over the Earth itself.”