Sister Susan Merrie English

I began to hear a calling to justice (defined as being in right relationship) when I was a child. When I was married, my husband and I adopted three special needs children after having three children of our own. As a teacher I gravitated toward students with disadvantages

In my thirties, I left public school teaching to teach in a women’s prison. Ministering to the broken-hearted, I began to realize, even more, how deeply unjust the world was. It was here that I heard a calling to deeper faith.

After my children were grown and after completing a doctorate in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, I entered the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh in 2001. I wanted to live in a community of like-minded women working together to improve condition for others in the world. The Rule of Benedict is all about how people can live together in right relationship, in justice, as they listen to each other and to the calling of the Master.

I continue to hear that persistent calling, the calling to just relationship, the calling to transform and expand my own mind in faith.. More simply put, I continually respond to the call through prayer and ministry, saying: “Here I am, Lord.” (Samuel 3:4)

Click to learn more about Sister Susan Merrie's ministry of Leadership and Life Coaching.