Sister Anita Louise speaks at the 2023 Wisdom Day in Vincennes.

Article from The Message

Our Prioress Sister Anita Louise Lowe was one of the speakers at this years Diocese of Evansville’s 2023 Wisdom Day in Vincennes at the Knights of Columbus, which drew a crowd of nearly 100 faithful gathered on August 28.

During her speech, she explained that the sisters continue to focus on what it means to be faithful to their Benedictine life. The four guiding principles for their lives are prayer, work, community life and hospitality. She talked about the concept of hospitality and used St. Benedict’s phrase from the beginning of Chapter 53 of the rule of St. Benedict, “All guests who arrive should be received as Christ.”

“We are called by Benedict to live a life centered on prayer and work,” Sister Anita Louise said. “And that work is to respond to whatever the needs are of the time.”

Sister Anita Louise compared being prioress to being a pastor. As prioress, she is responsible for ensuring the community remains faithful to their principles.

“Benedictines believe that the prioress holds the place of Christ in the monastery,” she said. “That’s not something I take lightly. It means it is my responsibility to assist each sister in her ongoing spiritual life, and to help guide her, and at times challenge her.”