[9][10] She was a prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, Pennsylvania, for 12 years and is a past president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious.
She serves as co-chair of the Global Peace Initiative of Women (2016–2019), an inclusive international network of spiritual and community leaders.
[11][12] With this organization, she works to bring a spiritual perspective to conflict resolution fueled by pressing economic and ecological crises across the globe.
[13] Her books deal with monasticism, justice and equality especially for women in church and society, interfaith topics, peace and others.
Chittister has authored over 50 books and over 700 articles in numerous journals and magazines including: America, U.S. Catholic, Sojourners, Spirituality (Dublin), and The Tablet (London).
She is a regular contributor to the National Catholic Reporter[22] and HuffPost, appeared on Oprah Winfrey's Super Soul Sunday in March 2015 and in May 2019,[23] on Meet the Press with Tim Russert and Now with Bill Moyers.