Diocesan Administrator Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald presented the following homily at the installation of Benedictine Sister Danile Knight as the new prioress of Mount Benedict Priory in Ogden Oct. 8, 2006. It is a great joy for us to celebrate this historic and festive occasion, an occasion of faith, an occasion about community and about church. I welcome all of you, and especially Sister Michaela of the Benedictine Federation of which this community is a part. I have always felt, as one who spent eight years being educated by the Benedictines but also six more years working in their seminary, that their presence here in our diocese is not only a blessing but also of tremendous importance for the maturity of our church. I begin by saying I think everyone was relieved there was no evidence that the ballot boxes were stuffed or that the election has been contested. And nothing has been said about a possible "shadow government" to haunt Sister Danile Knight as was the case with the recent Mexican elections. The Benedictine community was established here 60 years ago, and that isn’t very long considering the Benedictines have been around more than 1,500 years. But the fact is the community has been here more than half the age of our diocese. During that time, if I calculate somewhat properly, 165 different Benedictine sisters have served in Utah. Wouldn’t it be great if they were all still here? But each one gave the blessings of their ministries that are part of the foundation stones of what we celebrate today. Those of us who have been involved all those years know the history of the Benedictine community is one that has been filled with joy and sorrow, with death and new life, with setbacks and marvelous achievements. I think what Mother Evin Rademacher, prioress of St. Benedict’s Convent in Minnesota wrote in 1980 sums up the roots: "Recalling the history of the Benedictine Sisters in Utah," she wrote, "one is keenly aware of the courage, perseverance, and dedication with which the sisters met the challenge of a new environment in transplanting the spirit of our founder, Benedict, from Minnesota to this area." She continued: "The sisters found the people of Utah supportive of their efforts. It was through their acceptance and their help that these first sisters were successful… I place this priory in God’s special care and ask that he bless it, its beginning, and nurture its growth that it might further the mission of the Catholic Church in Utah. What we celebrate this afternoon is a fact that this Priory has been with us, has grown, and has indeed furthered the mission of the Catholic Church in Utah with generosity and love. So this afternoon, as another prioress is installed, it is appropriate for us to be filled with gratitude for what has been and filled with hope and expectation for the future yet to unfold. We certainly recognize the years of faithful leadership given by Sister Francis Forster and Sister Jeremia Januschka, our old friends who have gone before us, and pray that they smile favorably this afternoon from the gates of heaven. We thank you, Sister Mary Zenzen for your 12 years of commitment as prioress leading this community wisely in the pursuit of Benedictine ideals and the building of this monastery. Sister has served over 30 years in Utah, more than half of the Benedictine presence. Now Sr. Danile Knight assumes leadership. Sister has been here 40 years. Through nearly half of them, 18, she has directed our retreat house. On behalf of the Diocese, Sr. Danile, I want to thank you for your generosity and hard work, for your vision and personal sacrifice that you have given that ministry. With the support of this community, you have formed the retreat house into a center of prayer and hospitality, reflecting the Benedictine charisms. As Sr. Danile assumes her new responsibilities, we can say to her what the Lord spoke at the commissioning of Joshua, the successor way back to Moses: "Be brave, be steadfast for it is you who must bring the Israelites into this land which I promised them on oath. I myself will travel with you." (Dt 31:23) We know that the journey to the Promised Land is one with hills and valleys, where the final destination is eternal love. God’s word, our faith traditions, our holy Eucharist, and Benedict’s holy rule shed light on the dimensions of this journey. Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI in his encyclical "Deus Caritas Est" says this: "Love is the light – and in the end, the only light – that can always illumine a world grown dim and give us the courage we need to keep living and working… In our experience of love," he says, "we cause the light of God to enter the world." The Holy Father continues that the monastic movement expresses an immense service on behalf of the Church of charity toward neighbor. In their encounter with God, who is love, the Holy Father says, the religious sense the impelling need to transform their whole life into service of God and service of neighbor. This, he says, is the reason for the great emphasis, in monastic life, on hospitality, refuge, and care of the infirm. It explains the initiatives of human welfare and Christian formation, aimed above all at the very poor. Doesn’t that reflect Benedict’s "Let all guests be received as Christ?" The readings this afternoon, my friends, are about charity and harmony, about human relationships upon which God gives his grace. Scriptural admonitions serve as foundation stones for St. Benedict’s Rule. St. Paul speaks to the Romans about the community: unity is essential, as there is only one Body of Christ, with many parts and functions. Don’t we know all too well the grief caused by dissension and disunity. St. Paul continues: there are many gifts that differ according to the grace given, exercise those gifts and do so with diligence, generosity, and cheerfulness. Love one another with mutual affection. Do not grow slack in zeal but serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure affliction, persevere in prayer, exercise hospitality. Are those not Benedictine virtues? The ideals presented in the Gospel are lofty as well: love one another as I love you. Lay down your life for friends. Do not look upon yourselves as slaves, because your are my friends, Jesus says, if you do what I command. Benedictine life, the life of the oblates and of every Christian, requires that kind of diligence, in being the light, being the love, requires daily sacrifice. Saint Benedict’s advice to superiors, and specifically today to Sr. Danile, is challenging and demanding. As we heard from Sr. Mary, the superior takes the place of Christ in the community. Benedict says she is to lead with deeds before using words. Any lack of goodness the Lord finds in the flock will be accounted the fault of the shepherd. In all, seek first God’s kingdom. Then we have that lovely consolation for us in the Gospel: "it was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will remain. Whatever you ask the Father in my name, that will be given." So this is a wonderful celebration, a transition of gratitude for all that has been and hopeful expectation for what God’s providence will unfold. The Benedictine community, the oblates, all of us here, and your many other friends, Sr. Danile, welcome you and support you as the new prioress.
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