While previously known as the Benedictine Cohousing Companions and, later, the Benedictine Cohousing Community, those names did not adequately reflect who this community is, or who they are becoming.

The current members of this community determined – after much prayer, reflection and discussion in early 2025 – to rename the community Koinonia of St. Gertrude.

Koinonia is a Greek term for the fellowship or body of believers, intimate spiritual communion and participative sharing in a common religious commitment and spiritual community.

Koinonia is being in agreement with one another, being united in purpose and serving alongside each other. Our Koinonia with each other is based on our common Koinonia with Jesus Christ. The early Christians “continuously devoted themselves to fellowship.” (Acts 2:42)

In her Commentary on Chapter 1 of St. Benedict’s Rule, Sister Judith Sutera, OSB, writes “The name cenobite comes from the Greek ‘Koinonia’, a word that was used to signify not just a group of people but a community. We find in the Scripture passage ‘Our blessing cup is a Koinonia with the blood of Christ.’ More than just general community, it is rather a communion, a mingling that is greater than the parts and thereafter inseparable.”

The Koinonia of St. Gertrude will be open to single women (not married or in a committed relationship) without dependents, pets, or emotional support animals. The screening and application process will be extensive. The process will last at least a year and require active participation in a group of fellow discerners to create community and shape what this new form of Benedictine living will look like. Multiple visits to the monastery will be required prior to application.

If you are primarily interested in living with the Sisters, attending daily Mass and prayer, but not making a commitment to building a new kind of Benedictine community, then the Koinonia of St. Gertrude would not be a good fit.

The Koinonia of St. Gertrude will live on the fifth floor of the monastery building. One floor has been designated for cohousing and has been extensively remodeled to provide for private bathrooms, additional living space, and amenities.

The Koinonia of St. Gertrude will eat meals with the Sisters, participate in daily Mass, common prayer, and all public activities.

The Koinonia of St. Gertrude members will make a monthly financial contribution to the Center for Benedictine Life at the Monastery of St. Gertrude commensurate with the value of having their own room, private bath, all meals, utilities, and amenities. The monthly amount has been tentatively set at $1,000.

If you are not already familiar with Benedictine spirituality and values spend some substantial time reading about the Rule of St. Benedict and Benedictine life. Spend time with the Center for Benedictine Life at the Monastery of St. Gertrude website to get a sense of our community. Reflect deeply on your motivation for exploring this path and what would be required to undertake this path. Contact Sr. Teresa Jackson, tjackson@stgertrudes.org with questions and for further discernment.