Save the Date - Commonwealth Convention - June 14-16, 2023 - Dodge City, KS - Click Here to Register

St. Scholastica Monastery Photo Journal

This is my just a portion of my photographic journal of my visit to St. Scholastica Monastery in Fort Smith, Arkansas in July 2014.  This visit became apart of my apprenticeship work with Holy Family Church in Nazareth, Texas.

After visiting this place I came to realize the nuns who serve at St. Scholastica are indeed true gems.  The essence of this place is genuine peace and solitude, along with beauties of nature I encountered during my visit.

The nuns who touched my heart most:

Sister Cecelia Brickell who is the current archivist.  I brought tears to her eyes after I presented her with restored nun photographs that served Nazareth.  Plus – she was more than willing to walk down to the cemetery with me on a misty, drizzly morning at the monastery.

Sister Adrian Wewer who is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.  Her gentle soul was continually apologetic for not remembering her life at Nazareth.  Yet – her hugs were infectious, warm and loving.

Novice Michaela had an infectious laughter and gorgeous smile that will always be remembered.

I was ever blessed being apart of this community of nuns for such a short time.  Beauty and grace abounds in even in the smallest of measures.  The blessing and prayer on my safe trip back to Texas left tears in my eyes.

St. Scholastica Monastery Chapel
St. Scholastica Monastery Chapel
photo (2) copy
Sister Adrian Wewer
photo (2)
The Monastery Pond
photo (10)
St. Scholastica Monastery
St Scholastica Shoal Creek
St. Scholastica Monastery at its first location of Shoal Creek.
Hyland Last Supper Painting copy
Former Nazareth Nun, Sister Roberta Hyland’s art work hangs throughout the Monastery. This is her depiction of the “Last Supper.”
photo copy
St. Benedict statue greeting visitors.
photo (11)
Finding figs at the Monastery was the best find.
photo (4) copy
This aviary on the third floor of the Monastery was a welcomed sight.
photo (1) copy 3
The Monastery grounds has a cemetery of passed nuns.

Photographs:  Christena Stephens