Our History

Benet Hill Monastery was established in 1965 as an independent daughter house of Mount Saint Scholastica, Atchison, Kansas. Presently we are a community of 38 Benedictine sisters following the Rule of Saint Benedict and committed to the service of the people of God.

At the time of our establishment, we assumed the ministry of education to the poor in Colorado, begun by our Atchison Sisters in 1913. We taught in the elementary and secondary public schools of Antonito, Capulin, Conejos and the Catholic School of Saint Mary's in Walsenburg. We also staffed Catholic elementary schools in Alamosa, Monte Vista, Pueblo, Colorado Springs and Denver.

In 1960 Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kansas, purchased the former San Luis Ranch School for Girls from Marie Potter. The property was located on North Chelton Road in Colorado Springs, and in the fall of 1963, we answered a specific need by opening a Christian secondary school for girls known as Benet Hill Academy. Between 1963 and 1982 Benet Hill Academy provided over 680 girls with an education based on academic excellence and Catholic moral values. 

In 1972 in response to the needs of the time, we began making ministry transitions into the fields of: Religious Education, Special Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, Health Services (nurses and hospital chaplains) and Retreat Ministry.

In 1966/67 property was purchased in the Black Forest north of Colorado Springs. During the 1980's a retreat ministry was developed at Benet Pines Retreat Center in Black Forest which emphasizes Benedictine hospitality and a serene environment for prayer and reflection. Retreat services which begun at Benet Pines are now also available for individual and group retreatants on the Benet Hill Monastery grounds.

Established in 1982, the Center at Benet Hill Monastery continued to offer a wide range of programs in spirituality, Scripture, personal enrichment, art, and pastoral services until the actual Center building was sold on July 31, 2008 to the Colorado Springs Charter School. The program ministry remains active and moved to their new location June 2009, when the new Monastery/Ministry Center construction in Black Forest area was completed. All Sisters and staff also moved to the new Black Forest site.

The old chapel complex was dedicated in 1987. Our Lady of Peace Chapel is the focal point of our monastic life as the community gathers there three times daily for Liturgy of the Hours and for its liturgical celebrations.

Mission assignments abroad for individual Benet Hill Sisters have included El Salvador, Guyana, Nicaragua, and Cuba. Sister Naomi Rosenberger currently ministers to the people of the Diocese of Mandeville, Jamaica.

Since the 1970's Benet Hill sisters have served in a variety of parish and diocesan ministries throughout Colorado and nearby states. They have also held leadership positions in human services and educational institutions.
 

About Us  •  Monastic Life  •  Educational & Spiritual Offerings  •  Retreats

BENET HILL MONASTERY
3190 Benet Lane
Colorado Springs, CO 80921
(719) 633-0655
Fax: (719) 471-0403
E-MAIL: info@BenetHillMonastery.org