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A couple of weeks ago someone reminded us about the amazing Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville, USA.
British Catholics who are perhaps more familiar with the demise of many convents through dissent, secularization and falling numbers will be heartened to learn about this incredible community.
As the above image demonstrates, the heart of their life is Jesus Christ; Really Present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Most Holy Eucharist.Â
And the fruit of this being rooted in Him?
Exactly! Vocations... and tons of them! Its not rocket science is it?!!
In fact since 1988 the community has grown by 156 sisters to over 230 today. That is the largest number in their history since being founded in 1860. The median age of the sisters is 36 and 61% of them are below the age of 40. Oh... and they get about 50 in the novitiate each year!
Their response to this is quite beautiful;
'For this blessing of growth and the call to give ourselves in service we thank God.'
The news gets better. These nuns work as teachers in schools across the USA where they are winning young hearts, minds and souls for Christ!
Their stated mission encompasses the following goals:
- To enlighten minds and inspire hearts with knowledge and love of the Truth, especially the Person of Christ, the Source of all Truth
- To encourage reverence for the Holy Eucharist, devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and fidelity to the Church
- To promote a greater awareness of the sanctity of human life and the dignity of the human person
- To provide students with a solid liberal arts education, so that with a strong academic foundation and the development of their personal gifts, they might more freely respond to their God-given vocation
- To promote an authentic Catholic culture, thereby enabling students to appreciate all that is good, true and beautiful
- To strengthen family life by offering support, guidance and instruction to parents in their role as the primary educators of their children
Sr. Mary Gianna:'If I could give any advice to those discerning religious life, it would be to found your life and your vocation on the two pillars of Our Lord in the Eucharist and Our Lady. Jesus and Mary might surprise you, but they will never give you anything but true happiness and fulfillment.'
Sr. Maris Stella:'God has been so generous in inviting me to be a Domincan Sister of St. Cecilia, and I only want to respond with a generous living out of my religious consecration.'
Sr. Lucia Marie:'Growing in virtue and coming closer to the Lord is my true joy!'
Sr. John Agnes:'If I had to empty my hands from things that I was holding previously, it was only so that I could be free to embrace what Jesus was giving me.'
Visit these good sisters - and there's plenty more where they came from - at their beautiful and inspiring website.
We'll be adding it to our links page soon! Isn't God good?!
www.nashvilledominican.org
