Nine Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia made their final profession of vows on Monday, July 25, at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville, making them lifelong members of the congregation, which was established in Nashville in 1860.
In this year, which is the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Dominican religious order by St. Dominic, the sisters making their final profession of vows were: Sister Mary Helen Hill, O.P., Sister Cecilia Rose Pham, O.P., Sister Mara Rose McDonnell, O.P., Sister Anna Joseph Van Acker, O.P., Sister Angela Marie Russell, O.P., Sister John Vianney Streaker, O.P., Sister Agnes Schreck, O.P., Sister Bernadette Marie Donze, O.P., Sister Immaculata Marie Policare, O.P.
The Nashville Dominicans continue to grow and spread their apostolate of teaching across the globe. In August, the Dominicans will send sisters to five new missions: four sisters will serve at St. Saviour’s Parish in Limerick, Ireland; two sisters will serve at St. Anthony School in Washington, D.C.; three sisters will serve at St. James School and Parish in Elizabethtown, Kentucky; three sisters will teach, study and serve at the University of Dallas in Texas; and two sisters will begin preparations for the opening of the new St. John Paul II High School in the Diocese of Phoenix with another sister teaching at nearby St. John Vianney School in Goodyear, Arizona.
Clockwise from top right, Sister Mary Helen Hill, O.P., professes the simple vows of poverty, chastity and obedience before Mother Ann Marie Karlovic, O.P. Below, In the photo at the far right, Sister Cecilia Joseph Dulik, O.P., right, Sister Terese Auer, O.P., and other sisters pray during the Mass for the rite of Perpetual Religious Profession. At the bottom, Bishop Choby speaks to the nine sisters during the rite. Top, left, the nine sisters making their final profession of vows stand before Bishop David Choby of Nashville as he reads a prayer asking God to “prepare the hearts of your servants for consecration to your service.”