Reverend Mother
Head nun's title
Reverend Mother is a formal title of address for the superior of a religious community of women, especially in Roman Catholic convents.
The title combines reverence with maternal authority: The novices sought permission from the Reverend Mother.
In fiction, the term appears prominently in Frank Herbert's *Dune* series, where Reverend Mothers are leaders of the Bene Gesserit order.
Female monastic leader
- prioressFemale monastic superior
- superiorHigher in rank
- nunHebrew alphabet's fourteenth
- habitSettled regular tendency
veil · wimple · vows · ordination · consecration · profession · investiture · office
Female monastic leader
- prioressFemale monastic superior
- leadershipAbility to direct others
- governanceHow authority is exercised
- hierarchyRanked authority structure
command · jurisdiction · discipline · delegation · administration · directive · mandate · oversight
Advice for decisions
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- discernmentKeen perception and judgment
- counselExpert guidance offered
- mentorshipGuidance from experienced person
teachings · spiritual direction · confession · retreats · formation · vocation · prayer · contemplation
Religious sisters' dwelling
- sisterhoodBond among women
- nunneryMonastery for women
- cloisterCovered monastic walkway
- novitiateReligious training period
order · chapter house · refectory · cell · dormitory · enclosure · congregation · fellowship
Profound admiring respect
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
- respectRegard with honor
dignity · prestige · admiration · homage · devotion · regard · recognition · status
Supportive care-giving
- caregiverOne providing daily assistance
- matriarchFemale family leader
- protectionGuarding against harm
- compassionConcern for others' distress
tenderness · warmth · empathy · affection · caring · shelter · comfort · watchfulness
abbess
Female monastic leader
habit · veil · wimple · vows · ordination · consecration · profession · investiture · office · appointment
abbess
Female monastic leader
- prioressFemale monastic superior
- leadershipAbility to direct others
- governanceHow authority is exercised
hierarchy · command · jurisdiction · discipline · delegation · administration · directive · mandate · oversight · stewardship
guidance
Advice for decisions
- wisdomGood judgment from experience
- discernmentKeen perception and judgment
- counselExpert guidance offered
mentorship · teachings · spiritual direction · confession · retreats · formation · vocation · prayer · contemplation · intercession
convent
Religious sisters' dwelling
- sisterhoodBond among women
- nunneryMonastery for women
- cloisterCovered monastic walkway
novitiate · order · chapter house · refectory · cell · dormitory · enclosure · congregation · fellowship · postulant
veneration
Profound admiring respect
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
- deferenceYielding to another's judgment
respect · dignity · prestige · admiration · homage · devotion · regard · recognition · status · authority figure
nurturing
Supportive care-giving
- caregiverOne providing daily assistance
- matriarchFemale family leader
- protectionGuarding against harm
compassion · tenderness · warmth · empathy · affection · caring · shelter · comfort · watchfulness · concern
- DuneArrakis, Dune, Fremen, melange, Paul Atreides
Reverend Motherabbot
Monastery's chief cleric
father superior · parish priest · monsignor · bishop · cardinal
Reverend Motherlaywoman
Unordained female church member
layperson · parishioner · congregant · secular · married woman
reverend, mother, revere, reverence, reverent, reverential, reverentially, irreverent, irreverence