The Sisters of Sacred Heart Monastery support themselves and serve the Church through their ministries. The main ministry of the community is prayer, including daily Eucharist, Liturgy of the Hours, and private prayer. We are pleased to respond to the many requests for prayers which come to us through letters, phone calls, and e-mails. We also reach out to the troubled areas of the world with our prayers for peace and justice.

Within the monastery, the Sisters serve in various positions such as prioress, subprioress, business administrator, liturgy director, foundation director, health care coordinator, laundress, computer services, and so forth. The ministry of each Sister is determined in a discernment process with the prioress. Consideration is given to the Sister’s personal gifts and education, and the needs of the monastery, the church, and the local area.

The monastery also reaches out in service. In the early years of the community, the Sisters’ main work was education in Catholic schools; then needs arose in health care, especially for the elderly. In more recent years, Sisters are asked to provide retreats and spiritual direction, as well as social work services and spiritual care in health care facilities.

We also support our ministries through personnel and corporate structures.

St. Vincent’s Care Center and Marillac Manor

Our Benedictine Sponsorship Board assures that two of our previously-owned facilities continue in the Catholic and Benedictine tradition. St. Vincent’s Care Center, a skilled care facility in Bismarck, was founded by our Sisters in 1941.

On the same property in Bismarck, in 1977 we founded Marillac Manor, an apartment complex for seniors who live independently. The management of these facilities soon exceeded our capabilities, and we realized we needed a partner. 

We have retained the Catholic sponsorship of these two facilities through a unique partnership arrangement with Sanford Health. Our Benedictine Sponsorship Board ensures that St. Vincent’s Care Center, Marillac Manor, and any other facility built on that property will be operated in a manner consistent with the U. S. Catholic Bishops’ document Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services and the requirements detailed in our Sponsorship Agreement with Sanford Health.