Holy Wisdom Monastery

06/03/2026

Recently, Sister Lynne Smith, OSB, celebrated her 26th anniversary of monastic profession! Congratulations!

Sister Lynne (right) is an integral part of Holy Wisdom Monastery. As our first Protestant sister, she is a trailblazer! In 2000, she made her first profession after having found her spiritual home with the sisters' community. Last year, she became prioress of this community.

We love you dearly, Sister Lynne.

06/01/2026

We at Holy Wisdom Monastery want to take a moment to express our solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community. ❤️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

We affirm your dignity and worth. Here, we strive to be a place of welcome for all people. We invite all to come explore our trails, attend events or join us in prayer. Consider how you might find yourself at home in our community. Our monastery is open for all who seek meaningful connection with themselves, each other and the divine.

This month, Jun. 13, you can find us at Middleton PRIDE Festival and on Aug. 16, you can find us at OutReach LGBTQ Community Center's Magic Pride Festival! We hope that you will join us in celebrating throughout the year.

05/31/2026

05/30/2026

“A life confined to what is personal is likely, sooner or later, to become unbearably painful; it is only by windows into a larger and less fretful cosmos that the more tragic parts of life become endurable.”

– Bertrand Russell, In Praise of Idleness

05/26/2026

Here at Holy Wisdom Monastery, the sisters have been caring for the earth and the many creatures of the land for over 70 years.

By joining Friends of Wisdom Prairie, you will be supporting the restoration of monastery lands to increase plant and wildlife diversity, reduce invasive species, protect our lakes and provide a contemplative and special space for all to enjoy.

Renew or become a Friend of Wisdom Prairie in 2026 and help ensure that we have the resources to keep this land healthy, vibrant and beautiful… a sanctuary for all. Use the link in the comments to learn more.

05/23/2026

“Between the scale of atoms and the scale of stars, between the time of mayflies and the time of mountains, we exist as proteins lit up with purpose, matter yearning for meaning on a planet capable of trees and tenderness, a world on which every living thing abides by the same dumb resilience through which we rose from the oceans to compose the Benedictus and to build the bomb. All of our models and our maps, all of our poems and our love songs, all the conjectures chalked on the blackboard of the mind in theorems and scriptures, spring from the same elemental restlessness to locate ourselves in the cosmos of being, to know reality and to know ourselves.”

– Maria Popova, Traversal

05/22/2026

Valuing contemplation and silence is increasingly important in today's busy world.

Many of us find ourselves so attached to our devices - our phone, computer or TV. Consider taking a day to unplug and spend time with yourself; schedule your personal retreat today with the link in the comments.

We hope to see you around! ❤️

05/21/2026

May is such a beautiful month! Have you noticed the many ways nature is changing?

Check out our latest blog post on the May phenology, normal plant and animal observations for this time of year. We hope you enjoy your explorations through nature this spring season by coming on a walk at the monastery. Get outside and look around to see if you can spot any changes.⁣ Find the blog in the comments below.

05/20/2026

Experience the stillness and interconnectedness of nature at Holy Wisdom Monastery.

Our walking trails, open to the public, feature several meditation platforms for contemplation and yoga. Each platform is uniquely situated in a different restored plant community.