Yes, it has been started by Sr. Gertrude, OSB, formerly of Petersham, MA. Another sister, Sister Theresa, OSB, is from California. Please pray for Sister Theresa as she is very, very sick with cancer. They have received funding and are in the process of trying to raise more funding for their Monastery. I believe they intend upon living a very sincere and traditional Benedictine life of prayer, work and study. Sister Gertrude has written quite a few articles, and I believe I read one that she written on the benefits of silence. As far as I know, they have one postulant. Sr. Gertrude is a very interesting woman, full of wisdom and highly intelligent. I think they are really hoping to offer something wonderful to not only the community of Ave Maria, but to the worldwide Church as well. You should check them out. Good luck. In Him, Perpetualove

wowzer I know about this community there are my neck of the woods, south florida. Your right they are trying to live a sincere and traditional benedictine life...I think they still have the one postulate although shes a novice now. They do have a website http://www.queenofpeace.info/

Now, are the Benedictines the ones who, if they get a group or 3 or 4, they can leave their monastery and start another one? I heard the sotyr of a priest who talked about an order that allowed that, but he didn't say which order.

No, I don't believe so. At least there's nothing (to my knowledge) in St. Benedict's Rule that talks about that. In fact the opposite is quite true; Benedictines take a vow of stabilitas, or stability, which means that unless sent somewhere, they do not leave the monastery.

Love and prayers,

PP