Sister Joan D. Chittister, PhD OSB (1936- )

Joan Chittister OSB

Joan Chittister is a Benedictine nun, academic, author, lecturer and broadcaster. She is one of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, Pennsylvania, and was prioress of the community for 12 years. A prolific and much-awarded author, Sister Joan writes and speaks on women in the church and society, human rights, and peace and justice, religious life and spirituality. She is co-chair of the Global Peace Initiative of Women, a UN-sponsored organization creating a worldwide network of women peacemakers.

Sister Joan's writing includes a number of readable books applying the Rule of St Benedict and Benedictine spirituality to everyday life. Among these is The monastery of the heart: an invitation to a meaningful life. (Blue Bridge, 2011), which is a reflection in verse-like form on part of Benedict's rule. Our readings for this week of Lent are Chittister's reflections on Chapter Seven of the Rule, on humility—hopefully a suitable Lenten topic! At each of the twelve steps described, there is a link to a page with the Chittister's translation of the Rule itself.

This week's music is choral works from the Slavic Orthodox churches of Russia and Bulgaria.