It’s time for election.
There are no politics. No red and blue states.
No nasty comments online or in the paper.
No daily polling to guess which way it will go.
No plans to move to Canada.
It’s time to elect a prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Covington.
Long before that time, a sister-facilitator was chosen who can guide the process, freeing the community to engage in the work of discernment. She asks for our hopes and concerns. The community then chooses “direction statements”. These state the focus for the next four years. We work on consensus and approve them.
Gathered together for a few days we will surface names, discuss in groups, and listen. Who can best lead us at this time in carrying out our chosen direction? Who can lead us as we try our best to live a Christ-centered community life of prayer, good stewardship and hospitality?
Discernment for election is a sacred process. The choice of a prioress is one we make together. The “job” is challenging. Each sister who is considered receives affirmation for her gifts. Nevertheless, the Rule of Benedict sets lofty standards for leadership. It is a relief to all of us that among the necessary virtues St. Benedict espouses, moderation is especially important. He says:
Drawing on…examples of discretion, the mother of virtues,
[she] must so arrange everything that the strong have something
to yearn for and the weak nothing to run from. RB Ch. 64
