by Prioress Sister Mary Zenzen Mount Benedict Monastery OGDEN — Mount Benedict Monastery was established as an independent and self-responsible monastery in the Diocese of Salt Lake City in August of 1994, only five months before Bishop George Niederauer was ordained as bishop of the diocese. Since that beginning, the Sisters of St. Benedict have experienced a most supportive and encouraging relationship with our bishop. For that we have nothing but gratitude. His appreciation for religious life as lived in a monastic setting and the support that has been evident during the early years of growth that followed has given the sisters the sense of being an integral part of the diocese even while moving forward in the Benedictine tradition. Our communication during the time of finding a place for our permanent home and then walking with Bishop Niederauer through our building "in process" were a warm affirmation of our presence and our relationship to the local church. We remember clearly a comment during the ground breaking ceremony March 19, 1998, "Any bishop worth his salt is appreciative of the presence of a monastery in his diocese." We have always felt that appreciation. The Benedictine community celebrates the feast of St. Scholastica, twin of St. Benedict, Feb. 10. For longer than I remember, part of the celebration was Mass and dinner with the bishop of the diocese. When the sisters were associated with St. Benedict’s Hospital, the celebration included the administration of the hospital and was a kind of review of the state of the hospital and its ministry. After 1994 the celebration was more focused on the life of the monastery and its outreach. The sisters looked forward to this special time to share their gratitude, concerns, or just visit with our bishop. The sisters are very aware that these visits were a special gift to our religious community. Many religious women around our country do not enjoy such a happy relationship with their bishop, and it seemed to us he enjoyed it as much as we did. While the Benedictine presence in health care was easily identified in past years, the sisters have worked with many people and in many areas of service in the diocese. They were in education in Salt Lake City, in diocesan positions, and most recently Sister Jeremia Januschka’s role in deacon formation, and Sister Danile Knight’s position at the diocesan retreat house of Our Lady of the Mountains. In these and other areas of service by Benedictine sisters, we experienced the bishop’s wisdom and ready counsel. His concern and open door for those providing services as well as to those being served is truly an example of the appropriate role of a bishop among his people. In the first epistle of Paul to Timothy, chapter 3, we read of the qualities of various ministers in the church. Among these qualities we read the bishop, "should be a good teacher." With many people of the diocese and those associated with other faiths and other efforts, we have appreciated the wisdom of our bishop as he shared it with us through written and oral presentations. Whether it was a homily in our chapel, a commencement address at the University of Utah, the written word in the Intermountain Catholic, or in his own book, his reflections on social concerns and on the regular scripture readings were evidence of his gift as teacher. It is always a joy to listen to and receive his teaching.
Stay Connected With Us