RUMA, IL – After 146 years of service, advocacy, community, presence, and worship at the Ruma Center,
in Ruma, Illinois, the Sisters of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC) are relocating to Benedictine
Living Community at The Shrine, (BLCS), on the campus of the Shrine of our Lady of the Snows, in
Belleville, IL.
Over the years, multiple possibilities have been considered to ensure the ongoing care for the sisters at
Ruma that would also provide a continuation of community and mission, along with responsible
stewardship of buildings and land. In this past year, the first phase has been on community, care and
mission. The next phases of further discernment for the buildings and land will come in time.
Sister Vicki Bergkamp, Regional Leader of the U.S. Region of the Adorers noted, “The ability of Benedictine
Living Community to house and care for all of the sisters is of the utmost importance. We believe BLCS
offers the space and atmosphere for our sisters to live community in a new and creative way, along with
an opportunity to engage in prayer, presence and mission with and among the current residents. We are
grateful that this move will allow the ASCs to continue our presence in the Diocese of Belleville.”
The sisters are moving a few at a time over the next couple of months. A homecoming gathering was
held at Ruma on March 5 with the bishop of the Diocese of Belleville, Michael McGovern, as celebrant at
the Eucharist. An open house at Ruma is being planned for the coming months. Details will be
forthcoming.
Breaks my heart ❤️
May God bless each and everyone in this transition.
Thank you sisters
I spent many weekends at Ruma attending (Scrapbook) retreats. It is such a beautiful and peaceful place; the presence of God could be felt everywhere. Thank You for your community & for all you do! I would love to attend the open house.
Many blessings & prayers for a smooth transition to the new living arrangements. Many thanks to the sisters who blessed me with 12 years of loving, Christian education.
Please know we are thinkkng and praying for all. You were a intrigal part of my growing and maturing i. high school.
This saddens me but I have such wonderful memories of ‘The Convent’! From the wonderful Sisters who taught me to retreats to piano lessons to delicious lunches when one forgot theirs to walking the grounds… Such courage it takes to make changes. Lots of prayers!!
What’s going to happen with everything that is there. A place where you worked so hard caring for.
I worked with the ASC sisters for many years and have been privileged to participate in workshops and retreats at Ruma. Although I feel sad at these changes, I appreciate the thoughtfulness and prayer given over time to determine the best future direction for the ASC sisters and the Ruma Convent property.
May they find peace in God’s presence as they move into the future. My prayers go with them.
Will miss the holy place! I only got to go there my freshman year because it closed after that but absolutely loved it there! I almost felt like I was in heaven at mass there with all the beautiful
Voices singing at mass!
I am sad to hear that the Sisters have to leave this beautiful, peace filled place but I understand! I pray that you all will be happy in your new home.
Rosemary Crain
Chester Illinois
For nearly 25 years I was a member of the Columbia Province of the community. I treasure deeply those many years. I am very grateful for the deep life of faith my community gave me. Not a day passes that I do not remember them prayerfully and with great love.