Dominican Sister of St. Cecilia (Nashville)

Dominican Sister of St. Cecilia –  Sister Mary Perpetua, O.P.                                                                                                                        “Nashville Dominican”                                                                                                  “To contemplate and give others the fruits of your contemplation”

Founders:  Bishop James Whelen                                                                                                                                Mother Mary Frances Walsh                                                                                                      † accompanied by Sisters Columba Dittoe, Philomena McDonough, and Lucy Harper †

Place:  Nashville, Tennessee

Year:  1860 A.D.

Her Charism:  This Sister is dedicated to educating God’s children.  She embraces the pillars of Dominican life: prayer and contemplation, an active apostolate, study and a strong Community life, and love of the Church.  She is a preacher of the Truth (Veritas) and a lover of the Eucharist under the special patronage of Mary.  This enables her to “give others the fruits of her contemplation.”  Following the Rule of St. Augustine, she also observes the three evangelical counsels (vows) of poverty, chastity, and obedience.  Part of her distinct spirit is that this Dominican longs for a fidelity like that of the virgin and martyr, St. Cecilia.  For love of God and the conquest of Heaven, she desires to build up the Body of Christ until she is transformed into His image.