Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters
The Congregation of the Most Holy Rosary of the Order of Preachers, better known as the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters is an American religious institute of the Regular, or religious branch of the Third Order of St. Dominic. It was founded in 1847. The General Motherhouse is located in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin.
History
The congregation was founded by Samuel Mazzuchelli, O.P., (1806-1864) a pioneer Italian Dominican friar and missionary priest to the Upper Midwest. As part of his ministry to the Catholic population then settling in that region from Europe, he began to found schools for the education of their children. To foster this vision, he formed a congregation of Religious Sisters dedicated to education. Two women were the first to commit their lives to this enterprise. On August 4, 1847, he bestowed the white scapular of the Dominican Order and the religious names of Sisters Seraphina and Ermeline on them. He then established St. Clara Academy for teaching girls (now Dominican University) in Benton, Wisconsin, which he entrusted to the Sisters with instructions to be “teaching the Christian doctrine, by words and example, to the children of this country, where they are exposed to lose their faith.”[1]
Two more women joined the pair that same year. Candidates continued to increase, so that by the time of the founder's death in 1864, the community numbered nearly 25, and had blossomed to 100 within a decade. By the end of the century, the congregation had grown to almost 400 Sisters, and had begun to spread to work in schools throughout the region. Growth continued until the mid-20th century, when the congregation peaked at nearly 2,000 members in the 1960s. Like all other religious institutes, numbers then began to drop dramatically after the changes to the Catholic Church instituted by the Second Vatican Council, with its change in the self-understanding of the Church.<ref name = OP /[2]
Overview
The motherhouse of the congregation, Sinsinawa Mound, has been called the "Hill of Grace". Since 1847, more than 3,200 women have ascended its slopes to take their vows as Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters, then departed to preach and teach the Gospel. Today, the Mound still serves as the motherhouse for about 450 Sisters and more than 240 associates.[3] The congregation also sponsors Dominican Volunteers USA for men and women who wish to share in their work.
Mission
Sinsinawa Dominicans are called to proclaim the Gospel through the ministry of preaching and teaching to participate in the building of a holy and just society.[4]
These Dominican Sisters are associated with Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois.
Ministry today
Vision 2006–11:
In a world graced by the Holy Spirit:and yet wounded by divisions, exploitation, and oppression, we are impelled by God's tender mercy to commit ourselves in partnership with others to seek and foster right relationships among all of God's people and with the earth that sustains us.[4]
Sinsinawa Dominican sisters are dedicated to preaching and teaching the Gospel, believing that at the heart of ministry is relationship. The sisters are committed to participating with others to build a holy and just society in the United States and abroad through ministry, or service to others. They are called to a wide variety of ministries: some are teachers, counselors, and caregivers. Others are doctors, lawyers, and pastoral ministers. Currently, their missions outside the United States include Mexico, Bolivia, Guatemala, Italy, and Trinidad and Tobago.[5]
References
- ↑ "Sinsinawa Dominicans". Father Mazzuchelli Society.
- ↑ "About Us: Congregation History". Sinsinawa Dominicans.
- ↑
- 1 2 Rule, Constitution, Statutes, and Enactments of the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation.
- ↑ "Sinsinawa Dominicans". Retrieved 2009-05-03.