Driana Enid Wybourne (April 1954 – 24 February 2022), [1] professed as Sister Catherine Wybourne OSB, was a British Benedictine nun and prioress (from 2004) of Howton Grove Priory, Hereford (formerly Holy Trinity Monastery, East Hendred). She was also a well-known commentator in the British media, with an internet presence as the Digitalnun.
Wybourne was born in Chatham and educated at Boscombe Convent [2] and Girton College, Cambridge, [3] from which she graduated in 1976 with an MA in History; she subsequently carried out research in Spanish mediaeval history. [4] She then spent three years in banking before entering Stanbrook Abbey in 1981. She subsequently wrote on the digital age and the finance sector; she was also a blogger and IT worker and wrote on faith issues more generally, especially monasticism and the Rule of Saint Benedict. She contributed a weekly column to The Universe, [3] a newspaper for Roman Catholics in Great Britain and Ireland.
Wybourne was sometimes styled Dame Catherine Wybourne where the Dame is a title of respect used for certain Benedictine nuns, it being the equivalent to the male title, Dom. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
Wybourne died from cancer on 24 February 2022, at the age of 67. [10] [11] [3]