Sacred Stones, Sacred Stories

Sister Rita (left) visits with Sister Laurentia in our altar bread department

This week, the Small Business Administration is hosting National Small Business Week with a conference in Washington, D.C. to recognize and support all those who help make America great!

First and foremost, we are monastics with a distinct dedication to the Eucharist and offer the world our ministry of prayer. In order to do that effectively, we employ several works that support our contemplative life.

Our vow of conversatio (which predates the more recognizable vow of poverty) includes a commitment to embrace all of monastic life as a path to holiness and conversion. This includes poverty and a simplicity of life. So, no, we’re not striving to become Donald Trump. But we still need to provide a roof over our heads and food for our table.

Prayerfully Popped: Corn from the Cloister

Like most monastic orders, we are not funded by local dioceses. Instead, we persevere through sound business planning and common sense. We routinely laugh, “Marketing budget? What marketing budget?” when advertising representatives suggest multi-thousand-dollar campaigns. Instead we rely on quality goods and great customer service to brand our businesses.

ScriptSure Ink and Toner

As a small business, we also strive to support our fellow monastics. We offer wholesale altar bread services to many religious orders so they too may sell a quality product tied to their charism, enabling them to keep their doors open during these trying times.

Monastery Creations, handcrafted soaps, lotions and salves

Whether you’re buying altar breads, handcrafted salves and soap with a drop of holy water, gourmet popcorn, recycled ink/toner cartridges or liturgical vestments, your purchase directly supports our Sisters and their monastic goals.

Liturgical Vestments and Linens

So please join us in celebrating all small businesses this week and throughout the year!

Many thanks to the University of Arizona for its recent feature on our new gourmet popcorn business, Prayerfully Popped.

We are overjoyed that our partnership with the University’s business students has allowed us to serve as mentors in helping them develop their professional careers. In turn, they bless us with their enthusiasm and intelligence.