They say that heaven is a place on Earth, and for the sisters of the Holy Wisdom Monastery, this might just be true! What is the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions the word monastery? I am sure that each one of us will have a different answer, but in all probability, green living is not going to be the top answer.
The sisters at the Holy Wisdom Monastery would prove our perceptions wrong, though. Their priority is to live a green life. Indeed, they consider green living a spiritual calling!
Run by three Benedictine sisters, the monastery aims to establish the most eco-friendly and sustainable building in the United States – no small feat! According to Sister Mary David Walgenbach, “People who know us see it as falling out of our mission. They see it as something they would expect from us. People who don’t know us, who come into the building, are surprised by its elegance and simplicity. And they ask the same question: ‘Why would a small community of women do such a thing?'” But when we talk to them about who we are and why we think it’s important to do this, and, in our day and age, why it’s even more important that our religious people think about caring of the Earth, then they’re very open to that.”
Their building is up and running and holds the distinction of getting 63 out of 69 points from the U.S. Green Building Council. I think heaven’s on their side!