Sisters of Bon Secours: Where We Serve

Our Retreat Center Book Store

A place where book lovers continue their spiritual journeys
Those who attend programs at the Bon Secours Spiritual Center most often find their interest in spirituality and prayer broadened by visiting the bookstore. Sr. Jean Aulenback, Kathleen Purtell, and the volunteer staff at the bookstore are always eager to help customers find books and other resources to further their spiritual journeys.

A wealth of books and more
Visitors can spend time browsing through the store’s more than 2,000 titles on spirituality, prayer, spiritual direction, world religions, and poetry. The bookstore features popular authors such as Joan Chittister, Anthony DeMello, Gerald May, Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen and Joyce Rupp, to name just a few. Many authors, including Joyce Rupp and Margaret Guenther, have lead programs at the retreat center.

In addition to books, the store offers a selection of music cassettes and CDs, greeting cards, T-shirts, and candles. Many customers travel a great distance to purchase one special item— a wooden hand labyrinth used for meditation and prayer. People come from as far as Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Pittsburgh to seek out these unique 15 by 15-inch square hand-carved wooden labyrinths. The bookstore is one of only a handful of locations that sell these beautiful creations which have been used since pre-Christian times. Customers often comment that the store has one of the best selections of spiritual books and items in the area.

Click here for list of the most popular books at our store.

Opening doors to expand your spiritual journey

Bookstore Information

Hours
Mon.-Sat. 12:30 pm-3 pm
Phone
410-442-1320, ext. 382

1525 Marriottsville Road
Marriottsville, MD 21104

Located in the main building
of the spiritual center

In the early 1970’s, the bookstore was opened to provide people attending programs and retreats the chance to purchase books to expand their spiritual explorations. The staff encourages visitors to take their time to browse, sit and read, and share their literary interests. Sr. Jean says one of the most interesting things about her work is meeting customers who come from all over the world—Canada, Australia, Great Britain, and countries all over Europe.

While browsing in the bookstore one day, Aline Clark, a member of the Shalem Institute, struck up a conversation with Sr. Jean and they shared their love of books. Sr. Jean invited Aline to volunteer, and now she comes all the way from Alexandria, VA, as often as she can to lend a hand, and she has become an Associate Member of the Sisters of Bon Secours. Kathleen adds that there is a corps of very loyal volunteers who come from great distances because of their relationship with Sr. Jean and their love of the bookstore.

More importantly, however, Sr. Jean says Christ is what brings people to the bookstore. "He’s the center attraction – that’s what people come in for, no matter what their denomination."

Meet Sr. Jean and Kathleen
Sr. Jean knows the customers well and is the heart of the bookstore. She has been a Bon Secours Sister since 1958 and led a challenging and rewarding life as a nurse, hospital chaplain, and in hospice care before coming to work at the bookstore in 1996.

Kathleen, Bookstore Manager, comes from a background in accounting and has several responsibilities at the Provincial House in addition to her work in the bookstore. Kathleen is able to help with the ins and outs of the store— focusing on accounting and automation while Sr. Jean cultivates the close relationships treasured by both volunteers and customers.

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