wfn.org | Presiding bishop commends Cincinnati religious order on centennial

[ENS.parti@ecunet.org (ENS)]

February 27, 1998
Episcopal News Service
James Solheim, Director
(212) 922-5385
jsolheim@dfms.org

98-3008
Presiding bishop commends Cincinnati religious order on centennial

By Michael Barwell
	(ENS) A century ago in a small village near Cincinnati, two women from prominent families were inspired to begin a holy life of prayer and hospitality.
	In late February, Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold commended the 36 members of the Community of the Transfiguration for their faithfulness as they celebrated their centennial. 
	The foundress of the small Episcopal order was related to the Procter family of Procter and Gamble. A contemplative personality, Eva Lee Matthews chose the church's newly recognized Feast of the Transfiguration to name the order, instructing the religious women to "keep the vision of the King in his beauty in your hearts . . . so that the Transfiguration becomes part of the commonest of acts."  Her co-foundress, Sister Beatrice Martha, was a social activist convinced that the fruits of the spirit were most visible in acts of charity.
	Throughout the next 10 decades, the community operated a school and orphanage in Glendale, Ohio, and had missions and schools in far-flung localities in South Dakota, North Carolina, California, Hawaii, and China. Their ministry now focuses on Bethany School, a 200-student private school on the grounds of the convent, and retreats for clergy and laity.
	"The Transfiguration is always with us," Griswold said in his sermon during the centennial Eucharist. "The way we make ourselves most open to the Transfiguration is through prayer. And prayer is an openness to love on every level of our being," he said, quoting a contemplative monk. "We are most radiant when we are most vulnerable. It is my prayer that this mystery will continue to be in you."
	Griswold reminded the nuns and guests during an ecumenical evensong service that the church has survived, in part, "because of the faithful prayers of the religious communities."  
	"I know it is not always easy to live the religious life," he said amid chuckles from the community members. "But it is your very faithfulness that makes the church vibrant."
	Other participants in the services echoed those themes. 
	Retired Bishop William Weinhauer of Western North Carolina, who has been associated with the community for 25 years, praised the sisters for their hospitality and overseas ministries. "When I was posted overseas as a missionary to the Philippines, there they were," he said. Weinhauer added that while it was important to look back on 100 years of service, it was more important to look toward new missions and visions.
	Other bishops attending the celebrations included Christopher Epting of Iowa, and Herbert Thompson and Kenneth Price of Southern Ohio.
	The community was not always comfortable being in Southern Ohio. The diocese is traditionally a low-church, evangelical stronghold. In the early part of this century, Bishop Boyd Vincent was known to be "very uneasy" with high churchmanship. Yet, when a complaint of so-called "Roman ritualism" was filed against Mother Eva and the community, Vincent jumped to their defense. "I have personally held a service of Benediction at the convent - yes, incense and all," he declared. "And if those good women want to stand on their heads to say their prayers, they have my permission and blessing!"
	
-Michael Barwell is deputy director of news and information for the Episcopal Church