Monastic Life. Benedictine Sisters. Sacred Heart.

Committed to each other.

We hope the Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery can serve as a shining example of a life rooted in prayer and community. As a religious community, we offer spiritual guidance, ministry, and volunteer opportunities grounded in Benedictine values, peace, and monastic spirituality. Through these shared experiences, we foster deeper faith, meaningful service, and lasting connections.

Ours is a full and vibrant life. Among us are PhD professors, nurse practitioners, and pastoral ministers, as well as gardeners, bakers, and seamstresses—and everything in between. No matter our background or talents, we have each found a place to call home. Here, we put our gifts to meaningful use through ministry and service.

In addition, the relationships we share provide spiritual direction, encouragement, and guidance. Over time, we have developed the skills and wisdom needed to carry out God’s work together with compassion and purpose.

We invite you to join our community of 53 Benedictine Sisters in Yankton, South Dakota. Together, we work, pray, play, and celebrate in faith and fellowship.

Live according to St. Benedict

We live in a monastic community according to the Rule of St. Benedict, with its 1500 years of lived tradition.

Obedience, Stability, & Conversion of Life

We are women who profess the vows of obedience, stability, and conversion of life.

Spiritually led

We are led by a prioress, who is the spiritual leader of our community and one whom we believe is a voice and presence of Christ in our lives.

The Alps to the Plains

We are women of the Dakota prairies who trace our roots to the Swiss community of Maria Rickenbach, nestled on the side of a picturesque Alp.

Ministering to God's People

We are women who, since 1880 — beginning in Maryville, Missouri, and then in the Dakotas and beyond — have ministered to God’s people.

Prayer. Work. Leisure.

We strive for a balanced life of prayer, work, and leisure.

We share our hopes and dreams, our resources and talents, our challenges, and our sorrows as TOGETHER WE SEEK GOD.

Answers to your prayers….and answers to your questions.

Check out our FAQ.

…everything you ever wanted to know about being a Sister, but were too shy to ask.

Get Involved.

Day Volunteer | Vocation | Residential Volunteer | Prayer Services | Oblates | Retreat

Build bridges between Benedictine tradition and contemporary life.

Meet the Sisters

Mission Driven

Be Benedictine

Seek God in everyone and everything. We are Benedictine, spiritual seekers called to become who we were meant to be, and to do something special with our lives. We walk a clear path to wholeness and connectivity, living our core values of community, awareness of God, and hospitality.

Won’t you join us on that mission?

Benedictine sisters posing together in colorful t-shirts that say Benedictine.

Make a Prayer Request online.

Renew the spirit and connect with God.

Click here to submit a prayer request online to Sacred Heart Monastery, Yankton SD.