Holy Wisdom Monastery

10/21/2026

Now over everything the autumn light is thrown
And every line is sharp and every leaf is clear,
Now without density or weight the airy sun
Sits in the flaming boughs, an innocent fire
That shines but does not burn nor wither.
The leaves, light-penetrated, change their essence,
Take on the gold transparence of the weather,
Are touched by death, then by light’s holy presence.

So we, first touched by death, were changed in essence,
As if grief grew transparent and turned to airy gold
And we were given days of special radiance,
Light-brimmed, light-shaken, and with love so filled
It seemed the heartbeat of the world was in our blood,
And when we stood together, love was everywhere.
And no exchange was needed, if exchange we could
The blessedness of sunlight poised on air.

– May Sarton, Poem in Autumn

10/20/2026

Holy Wisdom Monastery hosted a successful blood drive!

Thank you to everyone who came in to donate. To all those who helped, a big thank you! And, thank you to Culvers, and Clausen's Bakery for their very generous gifts of custard and baked goods!

10/15/2026

Autumn leads the seasons in modeling the sacred practice of recycling. What seems to die bespeaks a quiet truth: that which falls into the earth is never lost. The earth receives it and preserves it. Thus it becomes a nurturing source for new beginnings as another cycle of growth arises. This miracle of transformation is autumn's prayer.

– Macrina Wiederkehr, The Circle of Life: The Heart's Journey Through the Seasons

10/14/2026

The Center for Clergy Renewal (CCR) would like to give this gift of prayers to our cohort pastors.

We have created cards to be sent that will let the pastors know they will be held in loving intention for a week. We are hoping some of you might want to come, fill out a card to one or more pastors with a personal message, and commit to a week of holding them in your heart and in the heart of God.

We will be meeting in the Monastery Boardroom on Oct. 29th from 10:30-11:30 am to fill out cards. We are so grateful for all the ways our community of communities give pastors a place to experience in their own bodies and hearts the love and prayers they give to so many. Thank you for all the ways you hold them in loving intention!

10/13/2026

We are pleased to be offering a new way for members of all Holy Wisdom communities to engage with our shared work of caring for the earth: memorial and commemorative trees.

This fall, Terry Larson and his son, Erik, planted a tree in memory of Sue, beloved wife and mother. John Gaska and Laurie Sanford planted a tree to commemorate their first anniversary, having gotten married at Holy Wisdom last September.

These trees are a living, lasting tribute to someone you love or something you wish to commemorate. Each tree planted on the monastery grounds deepens the beauty of this land and strengthens the ecological community we are committed to tending. Find more information in the comments.

10/12/2026

Our Land Acknowledgment Statement recognizes that the sisters were not the first to tend to the land that the monastery sits on.

Holy Wisdom Monastery acknowledges that Indigenous Nations have called this land home for several thousand years and that, today, 11 tribal Nations live in harmony with the land that is now known as Wisconsin. Further, Holy Wisdom Monastery occupies the ancestral land of the Ho-Chunkgra, People of the Sacred Voice, who today are known as members of the Ho-Chunk Nation. This sacred land is filled with centuries-old stories of Indigenous people and we invite you to join us in reflecting on how their stories and traditional ecological knowledge transform our collective relationship with the land.

We hope you can find a way to celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day today. ❤

10/11/2026

10/11/2026

Each fall, our community members are invited to join in stewardship of Holy Wisdom Monastery.

If Holy Wisdom Monastery is a special place in your life, please consider reviewing the stewardship options on our website. There are multiple ways to plan your giving, so you can pick what best suits you. We thank our 183 stewardship donors who have supported us through 2026, and encourage others to pledge your support for 2027!

Learn more with the link in the comments. 💚🦋

10/10/2026

Spending time in nature is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

At Holy Wisdom Monastery, there is so much nature to experience – restored prairie, wetland, to oak savanna! In addition, our public walking trails feature six meditation platforms situated in different native plant communities.

We hope you can find time to get out in nature regularly. Learn more about our trails with the link in the comments.

10/08/2026

We hope you enjoyed the Be Still art exhibit opening reception last week!

If you missed it, the exhibit is open to the public now through November 18, 2026. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (excluding holidays) and Sunday 10:00 – 11:00 am.