Sister Jeanne Ubinger

I have been a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh for 60 years. I think what led me to Religious life is the fact that from early on, I was exposed to Religious Sisters. My aunt, a Sister of Mercy who is still alive and well at age 98, frequently visited us. Now I visit her. My mother had friends in the Charity Sisters who visited us as well.

When I was in 4th grade my own sister entered our community. By 6th grade, I was becoming very enthralled with my Sister teachers and with sung Sunday Vespers when we visited my sister here at the Monastery. At age 12, I met for the first time the Priest cousin who had baptized me. He was a Passionist missionary in China and had returned to the States for the first time since my baptism, due to World War II. I had heard much about him in my growing-up years. So to me it seems God was gradually guiding me to Religious life.

I spent 40 years teaching school. I started in the primary grades, later taught fourth grade, and still later fifth and sixth grade Religion – a great experience! I also spent ten years teaching special education teenagers.

I served as the Community secretary for 12 years, during which time I was also Director of Oblates. Most recently I served as a nursing home Chaplain for three years, and am now working in the Office of Community Advancement here in the Monastery.

At the Retreat before I made First Vows, the Retreat Master had said, “Love is not shown in the promise; love is shown in fidelity.” That has stayed with me all these years, and is one of the guiding principles of my life. I have daily prayed for the grace of lifelong fidelity.

While my style of personal prayer has changed through the years, at present I find my quiet time with the Lord, with Scripture, with other reading, Rosary and Stations very important parts of my life. The Rule of Benedict speaks to me in many ways, and commentaries help me to relate it to my life in ways I did not learn early on.

There have been ups and downs through the years, but God was always there giving strength for whatever He allowed. I am a happy Benedictine Sister, ready and willing to serve the Lord for years to come, in whatever ways He asks.