The Benedictine Sisters of Ridgely, Maryland trace their roots back to St. Benedict who, in the fifth century, wrote his Holy Rule and founded his first monastery. Other Benedictine monasteries, both of men and women, soon followed and the order spread throughout Europe. The Benedictine way of life came to America in 1846 with Boniface Wimmer: a monk who came from Netten Abbey in Germany. In 1852,
at Abbot Boniface’s invitation, the first three Benedictine nuns arrived in America and settled in St. Mary’s, PA where they grew rapidly and spread to other cities. Mary’s Parish School and in 1859 they became an independent monastery. Then in 1887, under the second elected prioress of the Newark community, Mother Dolorosa Berg, the Monastery was transferred from Newark, NJ to “The Plains” near Ridgely, MD in Caroline County. St. Gertrude’s Academy was opened on the monastery grounds soon after the sisters arrived – starting the long tradition of wanting to teach young people. The sisters expanded their teaching to the schools of Sacred Heart and St. Elizabeth parishes in Wilmington, DE. Later, they would also minster at Our Lady of Fatima, and St. Catherine of Siena parishes, St. Mark’s High School, and St. Edmond’s Parish in Rehoboth Beach, DE. In 1959, as the need for special education increased, St. Gertrude’s Academy was phased out and The Benedictine School for Exceptional Children was started in the academy buildings. By 1964, a new school was built and was followed by the Habilitation Center and the Open Community Program. Today these programs are called the Benedictine Programs and Services which encompass many other programs. In 1982, under the patronage of St. Martin DePorres, several sisters began collecting and distributing food, clothing, and other necessities to the poor of the area. This was the beginning of St. Martin’s Barn. Then in 1993 St. Martin’s House was opened as a transitional residence for homeless women and children. In addition to St. Martin’s ministries, the monastery also maintains The Berg Center and Hildegarde Wing as spaces for private or group retreats in a contemplative setting. Finally, to add to the ministries at the monasteries, sisters continue to minister in Wilmington, DE. After more than 120 years on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, the Ridgely Benedictine Sisters continue to “Pray and Work” so “That in all things God may be glorified.”
