Elaine Nadeau, the archivist for the Congregation of St. Scholastica, of which the Benedictine Sisters of Erie are one of seventeen member monasteries, was in Erie this week to record stories for an oral history of Benedictines for Peace. Erie Benedictine Sister Mary Lou Kownacki, who died in January 2023, was a leader in the founding and early years of BFP. The movement came into being in 1980 following a weeklong peace witness at the Pentagon by Benedictine sisters during their 1,500th-anniversary celebration. Rooted in the monastic commitment to PAX (peace), BFP was created to transition from being merely peaceful to actively working for peace in society. Sisters from Erie have remained strong advocates for peace and justice. Sister Anne McCarthy is the current coordinator of BFP.
While at the monastery, Elaine conducted more than twenty interviews with sisters, oblates, and others to hear their memories and stories of Benedictines for Peace. Many had journeyed to the Pentagon in 1980 and were present at the founding. In addition to the individual interviews, a general story-telling session was held at the monastery where about thirty-five persons gathered and shared memories of their experiences. Many had experience of the early days and others had more recent memories of BFP's growth from working against nuclear weapons and war to climate concerns and support of immigrants. One person's memories sparked or complemented another's.
"The hope was that people would have fun sharing memories and at the same time get a bigger picture of BFP—and see themselves in it," said Sister Anne. "I think that happened." Learn more about Benedictines for Peace here.
Elaine is also the archivist at Mount St. Scholastica monastery in Atchison, Kansas. Sister Judith Sutera from the Atchison community travlled with Elaine, and many of her long-time friends in Erie were grateful to share some time with her.
