On the Ministry of Prayer at the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh

A woman of tenacity, spiritual wonder, and love for the Sisters, Sister Michele “Shelly” Farabaugh was voted Prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh on April 16, 2026. Little Shelly was born in Carrolltown and at the age of two, her family moved to Bedford, PA. When she was ready for high school, she entered St. Benedict Academy as an aspirant and entered religious life as a Benedictine in 1967. Three years later, wanting to make sure her decision was the right one, Sister Shelly took a leave of absence. During that time Shelly earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in psychology from IUP, master’s degree in social work from University of Louisville and after her return to religious life a Ph.D. in Psychology from Union University and Institute. Her education helped create a diverse career in mental health therapy. Sister served as an administrator of various non-profit and religious organizations in Pennsylvania and the Appalachian region of Kentucky. Not finished with her education, however, Sister recently completed the two-year BENCO Leadership and Life Coach program and is now also a Professional Life Coach.

Sister Shelly Farabaugh’s Journey to Religious Life

Sister Shelly’s return to religious life was as clear a decision as any she has ever made. Her return after twenty-five years was rooted in her profound belief and conviction in her calling. “The uniqueness of Benedictines is our charism ‘prayer, community, and ministry,” said Sister. Sister Shelly is resolute when it comes to the power of prayer.

Finding Hope Through Prayer

Her favorite scripture is Isaiah 43, especially where it reads, “’You are precious to me.’ How can that not be comforting? It is during times of darkness, fear, and uncertainty that people often turn to prayer…. we commune with a higher power and find hope,” she says.

Speaking with Sister as she turns her gaze at you, and smiles, she laughs and reflects the open heart all of us seem to be searching for these days. Her spirit tends to nudge that ‘you too can make it all seem so easy.” She speaks of “a person fully alive” and explains how anxiety hits us the hardest when we live in the past or the future. Our goal she believes is to learn how to live in the present moment and take care of each other. “When we feel bad about things, when we are hurting, we tend to isolate ourselves, pull our world in and make it smaller, which is opposite of what should be done. We need community, a social life, feelings of compassion, love, hope, joy, these things are critical to our balance, critical to humanity.”

Faith, Free Will and the Question of Suffering

But living our own affirmations can be difficult during a time of so many living in desperation. There was no avoiding it, the question had to be asked, ‘Why would God allow so much pain?”  This was the first moment the look in Sister Shelly’s eyes changed,” Have you read, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy? Do you really think God is responsible for what is happening in the world? We were born with free will; humans have been making choices since the beginning of our time. We can choose to listen with the ear of the heart. Choose love. We have always been able to choose love. What we cannot choose is what another person will do. In those times, I pray, it keeps me mindful that life is not hopeless, that God is there for me, She is always there for each of us.” 

Leading the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh Into the Future

Sister Shelly Farabaugh is one of those rare individuals who lives as she speaks; her love and kindness is genuine. Her belief and reliance on prayer are the ministry that will lead the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh for the next five years into an unknown future. Hopefully, a future that recognizes the world is a better place for their presence. Personally, it is comforting to know the Sisters will be praying. 

To learn more about the Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh and to support their mission, visit https://www.osbpgh.org/.

Story by Benedictine Sisters of Pittsburgh
Photography by Laura Petrilla

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