Modernist Benedictines Continue to Die Without Replacements

ST. JOSEPH, Minn. — Sister Mary David Olheiser and Sister Helenette Baltes professed their vows together in 1936 as two of the 21 new sisters to join the Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict that year. At the time, their central Minnesota Roman Catholic monastery was overflowing with youth and energy.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sister Mary David Olheiser, 92, and Sister Helenette Baltes, 94, were reunited after 62 years. Sixty-two years later, the classmates and old friends are together again. St. Benedict is taking St. Bede back into its fold. The smaller group is facing demographic realities by closing its Wisconsin monastery and moving 29 remaining sisters back to Minnesota.

"It's just a blessing," said Baltes, 94, of her reunion with the 92-year-old Olheiser.

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