By Tom Roberts. Published by Orbis Books 2015. Reviewed by Ruth Miller. 

The story of the life of Sister Joan Chittister, a member of the Erie Benedictines and a renowned writer and lecturer, is compelling reading. She is prophetic and inspiring yet very human. She loves to cook, to play her accordion for sing-alongs, to go boating and fishing. From an early age she had wanted to be a writer and have a dog. She worked hard to get the education she craved.

Tom Roberts tells of the turbulent home in which the young Joan grew up. There she witnessed domestic violence and knew fear. At 16, after a struggle, she entered the safe haven of the Erie Benedictines. Six weeks later she developed the paralytic form of polio. Once again the deeply vulnerable teenager had to face uncertainty. With characteristic grit and determination she eventually got back on her feet and learned to walk again.

In this biography you glimpse the convent life of the Benedictines before Vatican II and witness the changes confronting religious communities in the years that followed. The questions of authority and the nature of obedience were a challenge Joan was called upon to explore and share with others. Early in life she was pressed into leadership roles and propelled into numerous speaking engagements. Between 1978 and 1998 she spoke in 15 countries, including New Zealand, and wrote 18 books.

In 1978 Joan was called to be prioress of her own Benedictine community. She immediately banished the title of “Mother” saying: “I can’t be your mother. I can be your friend and I can be your sister in this community”. She continued as prioress until 1990. Under her watch the scope of Benedictine ministries changed from being focused only on schools to numerous initiatives in the local community, the poorest and most underprivileged part of Erie. The Sisters opened a soup kitchen, after-school centre, an adult development centre, a Kid’s Café and more. She was a tremendous support to her Sisters as they moved into these new ministries.

This biography will appeal to a wide range of readers. Older readers will be able to identify with historical aspects of the story and others will find support in seeking to understand controversies of the present age. The Bishop of Erie, Donald Trautman, said: “Sister Joan is a prophetic voice and the Church needs prophetic voices”. As well as being a renowned public speaker, Joan is a great pastor. Every letter she has ever received she has answered. “She is in many ways pastor to a far-flung congregation.”