About: Mary Elizabeth Ilg

Mary is an Oblate of St. Paul's Monastery and Co-Director of the Benedictine Center: "The beautiful silence of contemplative prayer surrounds us here, and we are excited to share this sacred space with you. I pray that all who enter here to find a respite from the noise and chaos of the world will come to know the peace which passes all understanding. We look forward to serving the Sisters of Saint Paul’s Monastery as they continue their outreach of bringing Benedictine spirituality to the Twin Cities, and with the charism of hospitality, welcoming all guests as Christ."

Recent Posts by Mary Elizabeth Ilg

Summer Vacation Journal
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Summer Vacation Journal

On Monday, August 15, 2022, the Feast of the Assumption, I drove 200 miles north with my mother to a favorite summer resort on Leech Lake, near Walker, Minnesota (my mother’s home town).  She was going to her High School Class of 1951 reunion later that week and we had planned to stay together at the resort to enjoy the last days of summer. 

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Community Retreat Reflection – June 2022

Community Retreat Reflection Written by Benedictine Center Staff On June 13, 2022, the Monastic Community gathered in the dining room of St. Paul’s Monastery for their annual week-long retreat, led by Father Matt Linn, SJ: “The Beatitudes: Key to Peace and Healing in the Worst of Times in our Benedictine Spirituality.”  The Oblates of St.…
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Still Life With Moon

Still Life With Moon Mary Elizabeth Ilg, Co-Director, Benedictine Center On Sunday, May 15, everything seemed to change; there was some kind of transformational shift.  After six months of winter, it was finally spring in Minnesota with green buds on the trees, blue sky, and a cavalcade of tulips. I went for an afternoon drive to…
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Easter Blessings from the Benedictine Center

Easter Blessings from the Benedictine Center Written by Mary Elizabeth Ilg, Co-Director of the Benedictine Center [caption id="attachment_11739" align="aligncenter" width="624"] Photo from Catholic News Agency[/caption] EASTER BLESSINGS from the Benedictine Center of St. Paul’s Monastery! May the power of the Risen Christ transform your lives and fill your hearts with peace and joy. Several of…
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Taking Time Away – Mary Elizabeth Ilg

It has been a while since I have gone on retreat.  That’s okay—we’ve been pretty busy re-opening the Benedictine Center and getting things off the ground after being closed for eighteen months during the pandemic.  The Benedictine Center re-opened on September 1, 2021 and we have been very happy to see many of our guests…
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Re-Entry in the World

Re-Entry in the World

Re-Entry in the World by Mary Elizabeth Ilg Summer has returned to Minnesota after an extremely dark and lonely winter.  Following the gentle tulips of spring, perennial gardens have now exploded in a pageantry of color, and the frilly pink dresses of peonies.  Recently, there have been many days of oppressive, record-breaking heat.  What could…
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Lectio Divina Transformation

Lectio Divina Transformation

Lectio Divina Transformation “CONSIDER THE RAVENS; THEY DO NOT SOW OR REAP, YET YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THEM.” What was on my mind at that time was scarcity.  Fear.  Economic insecurity.  In 2017, I lost my 27-year job as an office manager for an engineering consulting business when my former employer suddenly died.  I was…
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Desire, Perseverance, Making Our Way: Reflections from the Monastic Retreat

Desire, Perseverance, Making Our Way: Reflections from the Monastic Retreat

Desire, Perseverance, Making Our Way Reflections from the Monastic Retreat On a Sunday evening in mid-June, the annual Community Retreat began at St. Paul’s Monastery.  The Sisters assembled in their usual places in the glowing Chapel, lit by the summer sky in the clerestory windows, joined by several Oblates, Benedictine Associates, and me.  The white…
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