Religious Life

Avow discernment groups provide information and support for young women as they discern the possibility of a vocation to religious life.  

Young women (high school students and young adults) gather once per month to discuss discernment and have a time of fellowship.  At each meeting, we gather together and discuss a chapter of the book Discerning Religious Life.

You do not need to be strongly considering religious life to attend the group.  You just need to be open to God's plan for your life and have a desire to learn some principles that will help you discern your vocation, whatever that may be.

If this interests you, please contact Fr. John Wilebski to get connected with an Avow discernment group.  You can attend a group meeting with no commitment in order to see if you would like to continue.  If you are interested in starting a group in your parish, please contact Fr. Matt.

The University of Mary (Bismarck) hosts a Vocations Jamboree in March of each year, where various religious communities are present and available to speak about their community with those who stop by their booths.  Attendees can visit individually with members of the various religious communities that are present. 

For more information:
www.umary.edu/vocjam
[email protected]
701-355-3704

Fiat Ministries hosts Women's Discernment Retreats around the country.  The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis usually hosts one of these retreats at Dunrovin Retreat Center in St. Croix, Minnesota.

Typical Schedule:
Friday, 6:45 pm arrival
Sunday, 2:00 pm departure

The Fiat Discernment Retreat is for women ages 18-30 who are seeking God’s will for their life. It is led by a team of lay people from Wichita, KS. Consecrated sisters from various religious communities from the Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious assist at the retreat by giving talks, leading small groups, giving their testimonies, and providing a joyful witness of what it means to be a consecrated religious sister.

The Fiat Ministries discernment retreat is structured around the concepts of femininity, prayer, mercy, consecrated life, and discernment in order to encourage young women to trust the Lord and be led by Him.

This is a discernment retreat and not a vocation fair or recruitment event. Ultimately, our goal is for the attendees to walk away with a greater understanding of religious life and a greater desire to grow in relationship with Jesus Christ.

For more information:
https://fiatministries.org/retreats

Women from the Diocese of Crookston have discerned with the following communities in the past.  Please visit the community's vocations page by clicking on the name of the community to see "Come and See" retreat weekend opportunities.

Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus

515 N. State St.
New Ulm, MN 56703
507-766-4570
[email protected]

Carmelite Monastery of the Holy Name of Jesus

6100 Pepper Road
Denmark, WI 54208
[email protected]

Franciscan Sisters of Dillingen

St. Francis Convent
102 6th Street SE
PO Box 447
Hankinson, ND 58041-0447
701-242-7195
[email protected]

Congregation of St. Joseph

255-757-6095
[email protected]

Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration

31970 State Hwy P 
Clyde, MO 64432-8100
660-944-2221
[email protected]

St. Benedict's Monastery

104 Chapel Lane
St. Joseph, MN 56374
320-363-7180

These men's communities have connections with the Diocese of Crookston.  Please visit the community's vocations page by clicking on the name of the community to see "Come and See" retreat weekend opportunities.

St. John's Abbey

2900 Abbey Plaza
P.O. Box 2015
Collegeville, MN 56321
320-363-2085
[email protected]

Assumption Abbey

P.O. Box A
Richardton, ND 58652
701-974-3315

Franciscan Brothers of Peace

1289 Lafond Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55104
651-646-8586

Saint Meinrad Archabbey

200 Hill Drive
St. Meinrad, IN 47577
812-357-6803