Triennial Election Results

On June 17th, our community held our triennial elections. Unlike the type of elections most people are familiar with, a monastic election does not involve campaigning, lobbying, or opposing parties seeking to gain power and influence. Quite the contrary! The members of the Chapter (the voting body, composed of all the Nuns in perpetual vows) are seeking to choose the leadership that God Himself wills for the community in the coming three years. Thus, election day is preceded, not by partisan debates and political advertising, but by extra prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. A special Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit is celebrated before the Chapter even convenes, and during the voting the non-Chapter members are assigned as “prayer warriors” to support the deliberations of their Sisters. And when the new Superior is announced, all those in the community come forward to promise her their loving obedience.

This year, our election results were as follows:
Superior: Mother John Mary of the Indwelling Trinity
Vicar and Novice Directress: Sister Mary Veronica of Jesus Crucified
First Councillor: Sr. Cecilia Maria of the Body of Christ
Second Councillor: Sr. Mary Andrea of the Incarnate Word
Third Councillor: Sr. Mary Magdalen of the Good Shepherd

Please lift up our newly-elected (and re-elected!) officials in your prayers, that they may govern and guide St. Joseph’s Monastery according to God’s Will!

Community photo from election day; Mother John Mary and her Council are seated in the front

Wait a minute … do I see a postulant in the back row??

That’s right, Aspirant Hannah has officially entered the monastery! Stay tuned for an upcoming post with more details about her entrance day!