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Discover Western Prince William
April 2024
20
The Benedictine sisters are called
to be good stewards of all that God
has given them, which leads to a
great respect for the sacredness of
the green space surrounding them.
They have dedicated the grounds at
their monastic location on Linton
Hall Road as a "Place of Peace."
Throughout their property can be
found Peace Poles with the words
"May peace prevail on earth" in many
languages. Their grounds offer all
people a place to come for quiet,
prayer, mediation, beauty, and peace
from dawn until dusk.
A Place of Peace prayer garden and labyrinth were skillfully designed
and laid out around the two original grain silos, which have been painted
white and inlaid with a long, narrow stained glass window that extends
from top to bottom. Benches inside each silo provide a place of rest
and solitude for anyone who wishes to spend some quiet time alone.
The open top allows natural light and a view of the sky.
In 2014 A Place of
Peace Columbarium
w a s c r e a t e d i n
response to the
surrounding area's
n e e d f o r m o r e
interment space for
the cremains of loved
ones. There are
currently five circular
units c ontaining
niches which can
hold two urns each.
They are harmoniously placed around a central Peace Angel statue.
Adjacent marble benches provide resting places for quiet contemplation.
Outside clergy is welcome to preside at interments or services and
people of all faiths are welcome.
Sister Mary Clark manages this busy ministry, spending much of her
time with people in their time of grief. There is a special prayer service
held in the multi-purpose room on All Souls Day in early November
each year. The service includes the reading of the names of those who
passed way during the previous year.
In addition to the cemetery for the deceased sisters, there is another
called St. Andrew's Cemetery on the grounds. In 2014 a local resident
suffered a miscarriage and sought a place to bury her unborn child.
The sisters gave her space
in their cemetery. Ten years
later, many families have
laid their unborn children
to rest here within several
small, fenc ed areas.
Families of any faith are
welcome to utilize these
plots and can invite their
own pastors to perform
funeral services.
The nearby Parent Bereavement Garden is adorned with memorial
river rocks created to honor babies and children that have died. Parents
may order a personalized stone etched with the name and date of the
child they lost. The stone is then placed among other rocks in the
garden, which serves as a healing place to visit and lay down grief.
As there is a lot of land surrounding the monastery, the sisters are
blessed that the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia work part of
the land, having created small, themed gardens in which they cultivate
native plants. They also maintain a vegetable garden, from which some
produce is sold.
In addition, Lourdes Grotto, built
in 1905, is a beautiful hidden gem
tucked away on the backside of
a hill. It is a replica of the grotto
in Lourdes, France, where
apparitions occurred in 1858, with
statues of Our Lady of Lourdes
(the Virgin Mary) and 14-year-old
Bernadette Soubirous. The cave-
like setting includes benches
surrounded by beautiful gardens,
creating a tranquil place to
meditate.
Also located on the grounds are
walking trails that connect with
the Broad Run Trail and the
Braemar Nature Trail, which are
open to the public. The trails extends to both sides of Linton Hall Road,
and parking is available at the monastery or at Grace Life Community
Church across the street.
The Benedictine Sisters of Virginia never cease in their mission to
serve their neighbors, both indoors and outside. To learn more, visit
osbva.org or call (703) 361-0106.
The Benedictine Sisters of Virginia
Part 2: A Place of Peace
A Place of Peace prayer garden
and labyrinth
St. Andrew's Cemetery
A Place of Peace Columbarium with Peace Angel
Lourdes Grotto
~ Lynnette Esse