About Sophia Spirituality Center

As a ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica, Sophia Center offers you a bright and welcoming place to come for a variety of retreat opportunities to nourish your soul and deepen your spiritual life. Located on the grounds of the sisters’ monastery, in Atchison, Kansas, our doors are open to welcome you. We are here to serve all spiritual seekers, regardless of your background. Spend prayerful time in our chapels, walk the beautiful grounds, and connect with the Benedictine sisters who are always ready to greet you with a warm smile and generous hospitality.

Benedictine Roots

For more than 1500 years, followers of St. Benedict and his sister, St. Scholastica, have lived faithful and devoted lives of prayer and community. Mount St. Scholastica Monastery was founded in 1863 by the Benedictine sisters during a time of violent border conflicts and rigorous pioneer life.  With a deep trust in God, they opened a small school which led to a boarding high school and college and to many other schools and services in the area. Today, these Benedictine women still strive to grow in their awareness of God and their witness to the idea of balance and peace.  They follow the Rule of Saint Benedict, which is the basis of many of the elements of monastic life that enrich the lives of those who come to make retreats at Sophia.