Sr. Benedict Opens House Session with Prayer

By Mary McCarthy
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 4/3/03)

The U.S. House of Representatives opened last Thursday with a prayer delivered by Benedictine Sister M. Benedict Kesock, principal of St. Charles Borromeo School in Arlington.

Sister Benedict was introduced by Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert.

"We pray for our President and his advisers, for all those who make decisions, which affect our lives on a daily basis," she said. "We pray, especially, for our military families, those who are separated at this time, for those who have lost their lives, and for their families; for the people of Iraq, for their suffering homeland."

Sister Benedict also remembered former New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who died the day before at the age 76.

Sister Benedict’s prayer was filled with pleas for peace. "Father, fill our hearts, our homes, our nation, our world with peace and let it begin with each one of us," she said.

Following her prayer, Representative Jim Moran (R-Va.) recognized Sister Benedict and the work she has done for St. Charles Borromeo School over the last 29 years. Moran explained how Sister Benedict has "served God by teaching and inspiring students." Moran also deemed Sister Benedict as, "an institution."

Sister Benedict suffered from a heart condition in 1999 and had to undergo sextuple bypass surgery at Washington Hospital Center. "There must be some reason God saw to keep her with us," Moran said.

Moran thanked Sister Benedict for the work she has done with young people.

International Women’s Day was March 8, and in celebration of International Women’s Month, the House has invited female members of the clergy to offer the opening prayer. Last week Sister Benedict received an invitation from House Chaplain Father Daniel Coughlin to deliver the opening prayer at the request of Moran.

"Lord, we are the Spirit. May it be said that the world is a better place because we are here," said Sister Benedict.

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