Joan Chittister, OSB, an outspoken advocate of justice, peace and equality will give a presentation, hold a Q & A session and sign her books on Sunday, September 25. The event, “Scarred by Struggle,” is sponsored by CHC’s Institute for Forgiveness & Reconciliation and will take place from 1:30 to 4 p.m. in Sorgenti Arena.

“As we look at our world, our political system, our church, our neighborhoods, our families and our own hearts, we see that we all bear the scars of struggle, past and present,” says Catherine T. Nerney, SSJ, Ph.D., associate professor of religious studies and director of the Institute. “Joan Chittister has become for many of us a prophetic, wisdom figure, who boldly speaks from where she stands.

“Sister Joan stands in the long Benedictine tradition of one who ‘listens with the ear of the heart’ and from that sacred space, she will reflect on and share with us the hope that's born only through enduring the scars and embracing the struggle.”

Sister Joan has focused her work on the development of contemporary spirituality, a redefinition and renewal of Benedictine life for seekers today and justice for the oppressed and marginalized, especially those in prison. Her column for the National Catholic Reporter is widely acclaimed. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. in speech communication theory from Penn State University.

For more information, contact Sister Cathy Nerney at www.chc.edu/forgive, forgive@chc.edu or 215-248-7099.

— Brenda Lange