Vocation Events -- Benedictine Sisters of Mt. Angel

Sister Joeine Darrington, OSB, Marks 70 Years as Vowed Religious

Sr. Joeine Darrington, OSB, renewed her monastic vows on February 11, 2007, the 70th anniversary of her religious profession.

Sr. Joeine was born in Nihill, Montana in 1915 and moved to Oregon in 1932 at the age of 17. She enrolled in Mt. Angel Normal School in 1933, which put her in contact with the Benedictine Sisters. She eventually entered the Sisters’ community and professed religious vows on February 11, 1937.

Sr. Joeine spent a total of 44 years in education, as both a teacher and principal. She worked at many schools, including Mt. Angel Academy and College, John F. Kennedy High School, North Catholic High School, and Molalla Public Elementary.She served as principal of Mt. Angel Academy for nine years prior to its closure in 1964. Following her retirement from teaching, Sr. Joeine continued an active ministry, serving as director of Mt. Angel College and Academy alumni, working as a house-sitter, and tutoring Spanish-speaking seminarians. As the community’s eldest member at age 91, she continues to visit, write and telephone donors to her community to thank them for their support.

Sr. Joeine was one of 30 Benedictine men and women from across the country featured in a recent book, The Wisdom of the Benedictine Elders (BlueBridge, 2005). In the chapter devoted to her, Sr. Joeine is quoted as saying, “My Benedictine vocation has given me so much joy in my life; there is nothing more precious and special . . . Growing older brings a different perspective on what is important in my daily life. I have fewer expectations for myself and ask others to respect this. So few things are truly important – the rhythm of prayer and work, the blessing of friends and relationships, the gift of physical and mental health. I consider these priorities.”