Living out God’s call through career and faith
Mary Ebb, a 2024 graduate of Christos Tending the Holy Spiritual Director training program, is currently Spiritual Formation Coordinator at the Benedictine Center of St. Paul’s Monastery in Maplewood, Minnesota. Read more about her spiritual path and how she has lived out God’s call through career and faith.
You have had an interesting life journey. Yes, I have had a long, winding path of career and spiritual experiences! I was raised Catholic in northern Minnesota, part of the Benedictine heritage. As I moved into adulthood, I changed denominations and spent a few years with Campus Crusade for Christ and as part of a Christian counseling center. In my thirties, I decided to change up my life and went to law school, after which, I served corporations in their Human Resources departments and as an HR consultant. Later, I opened an Elder Law practice and worked as an attorney for a number of years before retiring in 2025.
Where did Spiritual Direction fit in? I had a ministry for working women in the 1990s, where I became acquainted many spiritual directors. Along the way, I started meeting with my own spiritual director – and I’ve kept it up, with the same director, for 27 years. Spiritual Direction has provided a lot of stability in my faith life. My director listens, observes, asks great questions. She is a real rock in my life.
What led you to Christos? I’ve always thought being a spiritual director would be a good fit for me. Before I retired, I completed the Tending the Holy program. I was attracted to Christos because it’s ecumenical, with a lot of flexibility and great small group leaders. Our small group was highly participatory, which suited me well.
“When I graduated from Tending the Holy, it was another opportunity to ask God, ‘What do I do now?’”
So, what has God called you to do now? Last winter I attended a retreat on centering prayer at the Monastery. I asked the Holy Spirit to lead me to do the right things. There was an opportunity to work part-time at the Benedictine Center, and I am now the Spiritual Formation Coordinator here. Part of my role is overseeing our spiritual directors. In that role, I provide support for our directors, run a monthly session on “What is Spiritual Direction?” to bring in new directees, and schedule community-building events and meetings. Another part of my role is to oversee our retreat ministry - planning programs for the public. We want to distinguish ourselves around Benedictine values – such as stability, hospitality, dignity of work, community living and more. On May 28, 2026, we start our Benedictine Values Series – a bi-weekly Zoom event introducing the Benedictine Values to participants. Finally, I am also a Spiritual Director here at the Benedictine Center and meet with several directees. I am blessed to be here and believe that I am right where I need to be at this moment. Come visit me! I would love to treat you to lunch and hear how God is working in your life! www.stpaulsmonastery.org
