The monastery is one of nine designated Jubilee pilgrimage sites in the archdiocese
The Passionist Nuns of Ellisville are a cloistered community, but the members are already familiar to many through their active social media presence on Instagram and Facebook.
And during the Jubilee Year of Hope, they’re ready to welcome even more visitors than usual to their monastery.
“If anyone comes to the door, that’s our first priority. We run and get it,” Sister Mary Elizabeth said. “They made the effort to come out here, so the last thing we want to do is not answer.”
The Passionist Nuns monastery in Ellisville, known as the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception, is one of nine Jubilee Pilgrimage sites in the archdiocese designated by Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski. The faithful can obtain a plenary indulgence — remission of the temporal punishment due to sins — by visiting any of the nine sites for a pilgrimage or pious visit, in addition to the usual conditions for an indulgence.
The Passionists, whose name comes from their special devotion to Christ’s passion, are a cloistered contemplative order, remaining physically separated from the rest of the world except for necessary visits outside of the monastery. The community makes altar bread for many parishes, and members’ lives center around the Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours and the intercession for the Church and all of mankind.
The Passionist order was founded in 18th-century Italy by St. Paul of the Cross and includes both the Passionist Congregation of men and the Passionist Nuns. The first Passionist Nuns came to the United States in 1910, establishing a community in Pittsburgh. Their presence in the Archdiocese of St. Louis began in 1948. The Ellisville community now includes four professed nuns, one woman who is scheduled to enter soon and another prospective member.
The community was honored to be designated as a Jubilee pilgrimage site, Sister Mary Elizabeth said. The nuns are keeping their chapel open until 6 p.m. each night, an hour later than usual, to accommodate pilgrims who come to pray. They’ve also been doing their best to get the word out about the opportunity for indulgences, both for oneself and the souls in purgatory. “We’re ready to explain how easy it is, and it’s one of the treasures of the Church,” she said.
The community is also in the process of purchasing and installing a new bell for the top of the church, a project they have been eyeing for awhile and decided to move forward in the Jubilee Year.
When pilgrims come to visit, Sister Mary Elizabeth encourages them to take the opportunity to disconnect from their phones or other technology during their time there. Since joining social media about five years ago, she’s seen the struggles of addiction to technology. Many groups gather outside to pray near the large crucifix on the front lawn, or pray the Rosary while walking the peaceful paths of the monastery grounds, she said.
“Disconnect and go outside,” she said. “We have beautiful grounds, and there’s plenty of places to relax out there and walk around and just connect with Mother Nature more.”
The Jubilee Year also offers a chance for new reflection in prayer, Sister Mary Elizabeth said. The last Jubilee Year, in 2016, was a special Year of Mercy, while this one is designated a Year of Hope.
“Both of those words, hope and mercy, can be tied up in my own heart with being thankful to God. How many times do we thank Him for everything?” she said. “So just in my own personal prayer life, I’m trying to be more aware of being grateful and thankful for everything, especially the crosses — as we’ll find out in eternity, they were the greatest gifts.”
Visit the Passionist Nuns of Ellisville
15700 Clayton Road, Ellisville, MO 63011
Mass: 6:30 a.m. Monday through Friday
7:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday
Eucharistic adoration: Following the 6:30 a.m. Mass on Friday
Open for prayer: Every day from about 5 a.m.-6 p.m.
Follow the community on Facebook: @Passionistsofellisville and Instagram: @passionistnunstl
Jubilee Indulgences
Options to receive a Jubilee indulgence:
Pilgrimage to a sacred Jubilee site, where the faithful participate in Mass, another liturgical service such as Morning or Evening Prayer, or acts of piety such as Stations of the Cross, praying the Rosary or a penitential celebration.
Pious visit: Individually or in a group, devoutly visit a Jubilee site and engage in eucharistic adoration and meditation, concluding with the Our Father, the profession of faith from Mass, and a prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Those who are unable to take part in pilgrimages or pious visits for serious reasons, such as cloistered religious, the elderly, the sick and those who care for them, or the imprisoned, may obtain the indulgence by uniting themselves in spirit with those making pilgrimages or pious visits, reciting an Our Father, a profession of faith, and other prayers in harmony with the purpose of the Jubilee Year, and offering up their sufferings and hardships to the Lord.
Works of Mercy and Penance: This includes participation in formational activities on the documents of Vatican II or the Catechism, initiatives that put into practice the spirit of penance, and performance of corporal or spiritual works of mercy. For the full details on Jubilee Indulgences, read the papal bull: stlreview.com/3POKFln
Help the souls in purgatory
The faithful who have carried out an act of charity on behalf of the souls in purgatory, if they receive holy Communion a second time that day within Mass, can obtain the plenary indulgence twice on the same day, applicable only to the deceased.
Usual conditions for a plenary indulgence:
• Be in a state of grace and have the interior disposition of complete detachment from sin
• Sacramental confession (can be received several days before or after)
• Reception of holy Communion
• Prayer for the pope’s intentions
Designated Pilgrimage Sites in the Archdiocese of St. Louis
The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis | St. Louis
Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France | St. Louis
Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters | St. Louis
The Carmel of Saint Joseph | Ladue
Saint Mary’s of the Barrens – National Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal | Perryville
Monastery of St. Clare | Oakville
Passionist Nuns of St. Louis | Ellisville
Immaculate Heart of Mary | New Melle
Immaculate Conception | Union
