June 8, 2012

Our Lady of Grace Monastery welcomes new novice

Benedictine Sister Susan Elizabeth RakersBenedictine Sister Susan Elizabeth Rakers entered the novitiate of Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove on June 2.

Before becoming a postulant with the Sisters of St. Benedict last year, she was a member of Holy Spirit Parish in Fishers, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese.

She began discerning her call to monastic life after attending a Triduum Retreat at the sisters’ Benedict Inn Retreat and Conference Center in Beech Grove.

As a novice, she takes the title of sister and immerses herself even more into the monastic lifestyle of the community. Her year of formation will center on studying the Rule of St. Benedict, Scripture, federation and community documents.

A native of Belleville, Ill., Sister Susan Elizabeth earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science at Southern Illinois University in 1989.

She later earned a master’s degree in business administration at Lake Forest School of Management in Lake Forest, Ill.

Prior to becoming a postulant at Our Lady of Grace Monastery, Sister Susan Elizabeth volunteered in youth ministry at her parish. She also served the poor at the Lord’s Pantry and Anna’s House in Indianapolis.

For more information about the Sisters of St. Benedict of Our Lady of Grace Monastery, log on to www.benedictine.com. †

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