A Tree Rooted in Faith: A History of Queen of Angels Monastery

A Tree Rooted in Faith traces the history of Queen of Angels Monastery from its beginnings in Maria-Rickenbach in Switzerland to the end of the twentieth century in Mt. Angel, Oregon. The foundress, Mother Bernardine Wachter, came to America as a missionary, first to Conception, Missouri, and then to the far west to establish a community of Benedictine Sisters. As she was joined by new recruits from Europe as well as American women, they built and staffed schools in Oregon and British Columbia. Based on community annals and individual memoirs, difficulties of their pioneer beginnings are related, along with adaptations of their prayer and community life to the new environment and to gradual developments in theology and spirituality. This story tells of the sisters' early work as teachers and of the gradual change in ministries as the needs of society and of the Catholic Church have evolved. The last quarter of the twentieth century saw drastic changes in American society and in the Catholic Church. Likewise, Queen of Angels Monastery has changed. Some basic ingredients of monastic life instilled by its founding mothers remain the same, while ministries and some aspects of lifestyle are different. Like their landmark giant Sequoia tree, Queen of Angels Monastery still stands firmly rooted in faith.

Sister Alberta Dieker, OSB, is a member of Queen of Angels Monastery, Mt. Angel, Oregon. She is a retired professor of history, having taught at Mt. Angel College, Mount Angel Seminary, and at Eastern Oregon State University in LaGrande. She holds an M.A. in history from St. Louis University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. She currently serves as archivist for her Benedictine community, writes occasional articles, and enjoys reading, birdwatching, and life in general.