Benedictine Sisters dedicate peace garden with Pax Aeterna sculpture

Years ago, the stewardship committee of the Benedictine Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Lisle identified a goal: create a peace garden on their grounds. When? Someday.

Last year, the stars aligned. Now, the delighted community and their guests gathered in the splendor of the new garden to bless it on Friday, May 30.

Situated near the east entrance to the monastery, the welcoming space perfectly manifests the Benedictine charism of hospitality. The focal point is peace personified in the dynamic statue Pax Aeterna, created by sculptor Larry Johnson, proprietor of LK Johnson Studio.

It was Sister Helen Jilek, stewardship committee chairman, who found the path to achieve the goal. She and the late Sister Judith Ann Heble developed a friendship with the sculptor some six years ago when they commissioned him to make a statue of St. Benedict as a gift to Villa St. Benedict for the west entrance.

Fortuitously, last year he mentioned to Sister Helen that he had designed a statue he named Pax Aeterna. Those Latin words mean Peace Everlasting. When Sister Helen heard the name and saw his drawing, she knew she had found the centerpiece for a peace garden.

Johnson included Sister Helen throughout his process of honing the clay, inviting her to recommend “edits.” He also had her select the patina.

Matt Haber, design director at Western DuPage Landscaping, planned the beautiful plantings. His design showcases not only the statue, but the stonework that was already in place. That includes a gentle waterfall, a bridge, paths, and seating. Don Lupo, of Lupo Masonry Inc., designed and installed the stone pedestal for the statue.

At the dedication ceremony, the Benedictine Sisters formally gifted the garden to Villa St. Benedict.

Sister Mary Bratrsovsky, Prioress, created a deeply meaningful prayer service for the occasion. It was replete with words of peace: scripture readings, Popes’ messages, and petitions. Many members of the community participated in the readings.

Grateful acknowledgments are due Sister Jo Anne Form for her skillful design of the pamphlet, Sister Alberta Khwela for power washing all the stonework, and Nick and Nick of Nick & Son’s Landscaping for installing the water feature and mulch.