Mother Benedict: Foundress of the Abbey of Regina Laudis

by Antoinette Bosco

This is the inspiring story of Mother Benedict Duss and the famous Benedictine monastery she founded in Bethlehem, Connecticut, the Abbey of Regina Laudis, a large flourishing community of contemplative Benedictine nuns. The Abbey is home to many accomplished women from all walks of life and fields of study. Perhaps the most famous is former Hollywood film star, Dolores Hart, who shocked the film world when she left a successful movie career at the age of 25 to become a contemplative Benedictine. The heart of this book is the amazing story of Mother Benedict Duss, who was born in America but went to France and became a medical doctor in Paris, but left that profession to become a Benedictine contemplative. Through the liberating efforts from Hitler's Nazi regime by Patton's army in France, she felt an overwhelming interior call to return to America to found the first community of contemplative Benedictine nuns. At the young age of 35, with incredible faith, courage and the help of Popes, politicians, famous writers, and many others, she persevered in her call. 

Genres: Biography, Catholic

423 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 2007

Reviews

[Ani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the divine privilege to spend time at the Abbey of Regina Laudis in the late 70s and early 80s, in the at once exuberant and profoundly instructive company of Mother Placid. A Jew whose parents were Holocaust survivors, I had never heard Gregorian chanting, been present at a Mass, nor felt the stirrings of longing that I ALWAYS felt during my visits and short retreats at the Abbey. It was always homecoming for me. I could go on but this is a review of Antoinette Bosco’s work about Mother Benedict not about my experiences at the Abbey of Regina Laudis.

I have just read the last pages of the book in which we hear a few pages of Mother Benedict’s reflections without narrative interjection by author Bosco. The depth of these reflections actually leave me rather speechless at the moment. What was most moving and precious to me throughout the book was the opportunity to hear in Mother Benedict’s own voice, her reflections, teachings about the contemplative life and words about her choices as the foundress, Mother Superior and then Abbess, guiding the life of the Community.

I found the beginning of the book, speaking of Vera Duss’ childhood roots, the least engaging, though the context is necessary, I can understand, to have the full picture. But the juice in the book truly comes from hearing Mother Benedict’s own voice as she describes her journey, including the moment of apprehending the call to start a foundation of Benedictine women in the US—a foundation she and others would come to experience and witness unlike any that already existed. To learn how and why this monastery was unprecedented under the guidance of Mother Benedict filled and fills me with immeasurable awe and respect. (When I visited years back, I recognized how amazing the Abbey was, for example in the quality and depth of professional experience of the nuns there before entering and how this was nurtured within the monastic community, but until reading this book, I had no comparative context for how rare this was.)

I may return to say more, but for now will conclude with these words towards the very end of the book in which Mother Benedict speaks of the challenges, including the actions of “enemies” who turned Rome against her and the Abbey:

“I can’t forget what the point is, that I’m trying to go to God. I start from scratch every day. When He takes away what I had hoped to accomplish, I don’t understand, but I accept it. I lean on one of Saint John of the Cross’ basic principles. He said in a situation where there is not love, you put love in and love with be there. That’s not a high-faluting description, but when I face discouragement, I like to relate to that simple statement.”

[Michelle]

I would recommend this book to Catholic and non-Catholics alike. It is an empowering read for women.

[booklady]

Another loaner from Lloyd...

[Joseph J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a superb book. I was drawn to it by the story of Mother Dolores Hart, the promising actress who left Hollywood to join the community (later) whose founding is detailed in these pages. Another Hollywood touchstone: the movie Come to the Stable is a largely fictionalized story inspired by the post World War II community led by Mother Benedict to establish an abbey in Connecticut. But I learned that Mother Benedict was a unique individual and the nucleus of a terrific story at the heart of mid-20th. century history. The American born Vera-the future Mother Benedict-spent her formative years in France, and became a doctor, rare at that time. Nonetheless she answered another call, joining a tough abbey on the eve of World War II. THE DESCRIPTIONS IN THIS BOOK OF FRENCH RETREAT AND NAZI OCCUPATION; OF PERILOUS AVOIDANCE OF NAZI OFFICERS AND PACKED TRAIN STATIONS OF PEOPLE IN TERROR ARE AMONG THE MOST POWERFUL I HAVE READ. Engrossing, Thrilling. More that a Hollywood version of saccharine and comical nuns. Here is a story of courage and miracles and undaunted mission.

[Carollozano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mother Benedict was a very holy woman who lived out God's plan for her. I especially found the chapters about the 50's through the 80's very interesting; how the she dealt with the changes in the Church.

[Marjorie Hakala]

Seems kinda pointless to rate this book, but I read it! Hooray!

[Herb · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well-written and detailed.

[Felicity · Rating 3 out of 5]

I grew up visiting this wonderful community. Can't wait to read this book!