A Word from the Abbess

In the Cistercian-Benedictine monastic tradition, the role of the abbess or leader of the community is essential.  She holds the place of Christ in the monastery by acting as mother, teacher, shepherd and physician  to the sisters under her care.  Her mission is a challenging one, since she must adapt herself to many different characters in order to draw them toward salvation, and she stands accountable before God for the soul of each.  She is called to profit others rather than precede them, to place mercy before judgment, always seeking to be loved rather than feared.  More than anything, her mission is to love, and thus to manifest Christ to all.

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