Tributes paid to @digitalnun, Sr Catherine Wybourne
Courtesy of ICN:
'Benedictine nun keen on God, books and technology. Likes people, too. I blog at: http://ibenedictines.org ' - so wrote Benedictine Sister Catherine Wybourne, who died on 24 February, at the age of 68.
Sister Catherine, prioress of Howton Grove Priory, Herefordshire, was loved by tens of thousands of followers on Twitter as 'Digitalnun' with her insightful, often funny reflections on current events, prayer and the monastic life.
Born in Chatham , in April 1954, Driana Enid Wybourne was educated at Boscombe Convent and Girton College, from which she graduated in 1976 with an MA in History. She later carried out research in Spanish mediaeval history and went on to spend three years in banking before entering Stanbrook Abbey in 1981. She became a well known commentator in British media, writing on many faith issues, and contributed a weekly column to The Universe.
Sr Catherine had been suffering with cancer for some time. When she was told the doctors could not do much more for her, she left this message:
"The God in whom I believe is much bigger, and so much more fun, than we often allow him to be. I thank him for letting me be a Benedictine, which has been the supreme joy of my life, for the friendships he has inspired and the graces he has poured out on me despite my stubbornness and lack of co-operation. I ought to thank him for the difficulties, too, but I don't 'do' piety. Brutal honesty is more my line. I know he understands.
..I'm sorry for the times I have hurt or offended people. I think I can honestly claim never to have done so intentionally and hope you will forgive me. Forgiveness and reconciliation achieve much more than division, condemnation or insults, and what our world needs now is surely a more lively sense of our common humanity and a readiness to change.
..My delight in poetry, music and the natural world is undiminished. My mind may be slower than it once was but I still enjoy engaging with ideas and arguments. I love the daily monastic round which is the weft and warp of my life. Our garden continues to be a source of joy and I remain quite soppy about dogs, P.B.G.V.s and Bassets Fauve de Bretagne. No surprises there! When I spoke to my sister on the 'phone to give her my news, she gladdened my heart by laughing through her tears, so I hope my ability to see the funny side of life will continue. And if you don't like my humour, tough. If I feel well enough, I may be online occasionally but there are many practical problems absorbing the community's time and energy just now. So I suppose I'd better start tidying that sock drawer. Or maybe I'll just go and talk to the dog.
Thank you for reading this. May God bless you all.. "
A few of her recent messages on Twitter:
22 Feb:
Hot tap in the guest bathroom has disintegrated and sent a flood of hot water through the ceiling into the guest quarters below. Perhaps we die as we have lived, distracted by a thousand tiny cares, but hopefully still smiling. #thoughtsofadyingnun
23 Feb:
Praying for all tweeps on the feast of #StPolycarp (a favourite of mine as you will see from iBenedictines): for steadfastness, courage in adversity, and growing old(er) with wisdom and compassion. #Prayer
24 Feb:
(The day Russia invaded Ukraine, the day of her death):
Praying for all tweeps. There are no words for the anguish of Ukraine's invasion and the consequences for all of us. May the Lord have mercy on us all. #Prayer