Sr. Hilary Decker’s Jubilee Marks 70 Years

On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the Sisters, staff, and oblates of St. Scholastica Monastery welcomed friends and family to celebrate Sr. Hilary Decker on the 70th anniversary of her monastic profession. All shared in Mass with the Sisters, where Sr. Hilary renewed her vows. Bishop Anthony Taylor presided over the Eucharist, and Father Joseph Chan concelebrated. All continued the celebration with a festive dinner.

Born Lenora Emma Decker to Jerome and Agnes Decker on April 25, 1938, Sr. Hilary felt the call to her vocation from a young age. For generations, her Rhineland, Texas-based family received their education from the Olivetan Benedictines, and Sr. Hilary grew up surrounded by stories of Benedictine Sisters. She felt her interest in becoming a Sister start to wane as she grew up, until she realized on a walk to get milk at the grocery store that if she didn’t leave to become a sister soon, she would never join. First, she tried to join the Victory Knoll Sisters in Indiana, but they denied her, citing a need for two years of college education or work experience. She then wrote to the Benedictine Sisters in Fort Smith, who responded quickly and gave her instructions for her arrival.

Sr. Hilary entered St. Scholastica Convent on August 28, 1953, made her temporary vows on June 24, 1956, and made her perpetual vows on June 24, 1959. She finished her high school education at St. Scholastica Academy in 1959 and began teaching second grade at St. Boniface Catholic School the same year. She continued teaching until 1981 in schools in Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, and Louisiana. She then served in parish ministry at St. Anne’s in Canyon, Texas, and St. Hyacinth’s in Amarillo, Texas before returning to St. Scholastica Monastery in 2001 to serve as the Retreat Center Director.

She attributes her education to her community. With a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Dallas and two Masters degrees–one in History from Illinois State University, and the other in Theological Studies from La Salle University in Pennsylvania–Sr. Hilary has a rich educational background. Her travels to Africa, Europe, Israel, and Japan have helped bolster her educational experience in other ways.

Sr. Hilary feels that she has been formed and educated over the years by the Benedictine motto, ora et labora: “prayer and work.” She has said the Benedictine life of prayer has guided her through good and bad times, and she’s filled with thanksgiving for her call from God and for her community, her friends, and her family who have walked this journey with her.

To learn more about Sister Hilary and her vocation story, watch her vocation story video: https://www.stscho.org/sister-hilary-decker-osb/