Saturday, June 5, was a sacred day in the community’s history as we celebrated the installation of our eleventh Prioress, Sister Lynn Elisabeth Meadows. She will serve a six-year term. Sister Tonette Sperando has served us as Prioress the past six years and has been a true model of servant leadership for us. Her six-year term ended when Sr. Elisabeth’s term began. Here are some excerpts from the installation rite:Sister Tonette: “Sister Elisabeth, the ministry we ask is that you assist us to be united in Christ Jesus through His Spirit and express this in the Benedictine tradition of cenobitic community. Do you accept this ministry?”
Sister Elisabeth: “I do accept this ministry in the spirit of loving obedience to God and service to you, my Sisters in Christ.”
Sister Tonette: “The relationship between the Prioress and the community is one of mutuality. I now invite you as community and Prioress to give expression of this commitment to one another.”
Community: “Sister Elisabeth, we call you to a life of prayer and ask you to listen with the ear of your heart to the voice of the Holy Spirit in our Benedictine tradition, in our community, in the Church, and in the world today. We ask you to lead us as we continue to pursue and manifest our monastic charism and its expression in ministry.”
At the close of the installation, the community offered the following blessing: “Sister Elisabeth, as we are instructed by the Rule of St. Benedict, we promise to love you sincerely, support you in your responsibilities, and obey you as we discern together what the Spirit is saying to our community. May the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be with you and enable you to lay down your life in service with Christ Jesus in his Paschal Mystery. Amen.”
Sister Elisabeth chose the following quote from the Prologue of the Rule of St. Benedict for her program booklet: “As we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible sweetness of love.”
A copy of the news release can be found at this link: News Release for One Voice – Installation of Sr Elisabeth as Prioress.
Sr. Tonette, outgoing Prioress, and Sr. Elisbeth, Prioress-Elect, enter the chapel
Abbot Marcus Voss, OSB, served as Principal Celebrant,with Msgr. Michael Sexton as concelebrant.
The chapel during the opening hymn.
The Sisters during the opening hymn, with social-distancing in the choir stalls.
Attendance was limited due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but a wonderful representation of family, friends, Oblates, and Religious from around the diocese were in attendance.
Sr. Janet Marie reads the 2nd Reading.
Msgr. Sexton reads the Gospel.
During the Rite of Installation, Sr. Tonette asks Sr. Elisabeth if she is willing to accept the call to serve as Prioress.
Sr. Tonette presented three books to Sr. Elisabeth as signs of the transfer of authority - the Bible, the Rule of Benedict, and the Constitution of the Federation of St. Scholastica.
Having received the three books - Sacred Scripture, the Rule of Benedict, and the Constitution of the Federation of St. Scholastica - Sr. Elisabeth stands with the books as the community prays a prayer of blessing.
The community greets the newly-installed Prioress.
Sr. Margaret Mary offers the Universal Prayer.
With the Rite of Installation completed, Sr. Elisabeth takes her place in the Prioress's choir stall.
Sr. Lynn Marie, President of the Federation of St. Scholastica, offered a reflection at the conclusion of Mass.
Sr. Elisabeth offered remarks after Mass.
The traditional greeting in the Ottilia hallway.