Mother of God Monastery
110  28th Ave. SE ~  Watertown,  SD  57201
Phone: 605-882-6600  Fax: 605-882-6658
monastery@dailypost.com

COMMUNITY

SISTER BENEDICTA LONG

I am a native of Ethan, South Dakota, being the oldest of the seven children.  When recalling when I began thinking about my vocation, I consider it started from about the eighth grade. In high school I decided to write to various convents for information. I received a lovely letter from Mother Rose Bierschbach, Prioress of a Benedictine Community that was starting in Pierre, SD. 

I entered Religious Life in 1961 and was the first candidate of the newly established Benedictine Community in Pierre. My novitiate took one year and my temporary profession lasted five years. I made my final profession in 1968.

I served the community that had then moved to Watertown with various household duties especially in the community laundry.  Besides working in the nursing home and the hospital in Watertown as a nurse's aid, I visited the sick and was sacristan.  During the past decade, I have been doing parish ministry in Elkton. It has been a blessing to experience the deep faith and love of all God's people.

My vocation is a gift from God, but still I attribute my grandmother's deep faith and love as influencing my vocation. She lived with us and took me to daily Mass even as a little girl.