Overview

Mary Lou Kownacki was a Benedictine nun, poet, and renowned peace activist who co-founded Pax Christi. For years she served as Joan Chittister’s writing partner in the Erie, PA, religious community they lived in. But it was in her beloved blog, “Old Monk’s Journal,” that she delighted readers, sharing her most intimate insights and writings. There, for over 12 years until shortly before her death in 2023, Mary Lou gave readers a rare glimpse into monastic life from the inside. In hundreds of personal blog posts she chronicled current events, reflections on her decades as a nun, stories of friends, poetry recommendations and profound insights on life’s purpose and mortality. Follow along as Mary Lou navigates the personal questions, concerns, and joys of her final chapter as a Benedictine woman. Through her experiences of living simply, seeking God, and advocating tirelessly for peace and justice, these pages offer timeless wisdom on faith, community, activism, and what truly matters. For those seeking insight on a life well-lived, these pages offer Mary Lou Kownacki’s lasting spiritual legacy.

Mary Lou Kownacki (1942-2023) was a Benedictine sister, columnist, and poet. She was known as a mother of the Christian nonviolence movement. She served as Joan Chittister’s writing partner in the Erie, PA, community they lived in. Her books include A Monk in the Inner City and Between Two Souls: Conversations with Ryokan. But among her most personal writings are the posts in her popular blog, “Old Monk’s Journal,” by far the most well-loved feature of Monasteries of the Heart website, the blog host. From 2011 until months before her death 12 years later, Mary Lou wrote hundreds of posts, chronicling her decades as a nun and a peace activist, stories of her friends and sisters, and profound insights into mortality and the purpose of life.

Edited by Anne McCarthy, OSB, Linda Romey, OSB, Jacqueline Sanchez-Small, OSB, and Katie Gordon

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