Living Lightly, Praying Deeply, & Caring for Creation
Incarnational Benedictine Spirituality at the Monastery of the Order of Julian of Norwich
Deep in the Northwoods near White Lake, the Order of Julian of Norwich quietly lives out a spirituality that’s both ancient and deeply relevant for our world today. Their contemplative life, grounded in the Rule of St. Benedict, bears quiet fruit in rhythms of prayer, work, and care—not just for the soul, but for creation itself.
Prioress Mother Hilary shares that their commitment to environmental stewardship is not a separate ministry—it flows naturally from their call. It is incarnational. As Benedictines, they tend the world as they tend their hearts: with attention, humility, and love.
A decade ago, the Order moved from Waukesha to their current home in the forest. There, they installed a 14kW ground-mounted solar array from Northwind Solar, complete with battery backup—allowing the monastery to be fully powered by the sun. This replaced the old gas-powered generator, and marked the beginning of a long-term commitment to living lightly on the land.
Their transition from fossil fuels has been slow, steady, and faithful. As appliances have worn out, they’ve replaced them with electric models. Their aging Honda Fit now rests, replaced by a Chevy Bolt EV. A wood-fired masonry heater warms the refectory in the winter and bakes bread to nourish the community. An LP furnace remains, but plans are in place for a future electric upgrade.
Meanwhile, Sister Therese has been reclaiming sections of lawn with native groundcovers and pollinator-friendly plants. Some areas still require mowing, but a traditional scythe is preferred over machines. Even small practices—like using clotheslines in summer and drying racks in winter—are opportunities to live attentively. (And yes, they’ve noticed it helps with the dry winter air.)
The monastery’s simplicity is deliberate. Over the years, they’ve reviewed their household items and drastically reduced the use of disposable plastics. They buy thoughtfully. When something is no longer needed, it’s passed along to someone who can use it—sometimes a neighbor, sometimes Goodwill. At one time, they partnered with a local CSA until the farmers retired. That rhythm of local interdependence still shapes their ethos.
Their life together is a witness—not loud or flashy, but persistent, prayer-soaked, and deeply hopeful.
As Mother Hilary and the Order show us , creation care isn’t something extra. It’s at the heart of how we live and pray. To live with the land, not just on it—that’s a holy calling.
