Date of Award

5-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Religion (M.A.R.)

Abstract

Using qualitative research within the discipline of Practical theology, this study explores the agrarian practices of five Benedictine women’s communities in the United States: the Abbey of Regina Laudis, Our Lady of the Rock Priory, the Abbey of St. Walburga, Immaculate Heart of Mary Abbey, and the Abbey of Our Lady of Ephesus. I focus on the interconnected nature of communal land cultivation and prayer while creating a conspectus of agrarian life for American Benedictine nuns in 2024. The paper unfolds in three parts: the first situates the research context and interpretive framework drawing on hermeneutic phenomenology within Practical theology. The second part introduces the communities and participants, using ethnographic narratives to reveal how the land discloses God’s presence. Additionally, I call on elements of Benedictine spirituality or monastic ideals as Saint Benedict articulates them in the Rule while voicing the tensions that accompany living out these ideals for the women in this study. The final part centers on theological reflection, examining the findings in relation to scripture and tradition, and illustrating the impact of these insights on the original research concerns. This study not only documents the experiences and practices of these five communities, but also highlights the wisdom of contemporary Benedictine women, enriching our monastic tradition and giving us hope for the future.

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