The Order of Preachers (O.P.)

In the rise of the era of the "Mendicants", one of the important influences in this period of history were the "Friars Preachers" founded by St. Dominic of Caleruega in Spain. They were founded to combat the "Albigensian" heresy. The Motto of the Dominican Friars is (in English) to "share with others the fruits of contemplation.” In a manner similar to the other mendicant family of the time (the Franciscans), there are also three branches: The Friars, the Dominican Sisters (both active and contemplative) and the "Third Order." In my own life, I can give testimony to the fact that in the development of my faith, and in my family, the Dominicans played an important role.

I was taught in grade school by the Dominican Sisters of Springfield in Illinois at St. Agnes Grade School. My aunt, Sister Margaret Sienna, OP, was a member of the same community, and a music teacher by profession. I took my first year of piano lessons from my aunt, and then was taught by Sister James Marie, OP, whom I wrote about just last year. In my sixth grade and eighth grade year, my appreciation of art was developed by Sister Charles Maurice, OP, and Sister Mary Roberta, OP. Sister Mary Roberta helped us to construct a mosaic (made of egg shells that were painted) of the Coat of Arms of Bishop William A. O'Connor, then Bishop of Springfield. I was recently able to receive that very mosaic which I now keep in my office at St. Patrick's Cathedral here in Fort Worth.

A mosaic (made of painted egg shells) of the
Coat of Arms of Bishop William A. O'Connor,
then Bishop of Springfield.

Sister James Marie, OP

Bishop Vann's Aunt, Sister Margaret Sienna, OP

Years later, I was able to study in Rome at the "Angelicum," or the University of St. Thomas Aquinas in the City, for my doctorate in Canon Law. The experience of studying in Rome was a blessing because we students (priest, men and women religious, lay men and lay women) could study together the Code of Canon Law to be of greater service to our Dioceses and Institutions. All of us who studied at the Angelicum were blessed by the intellectual, pastoral, and caring presence of our Dominican professors. Although we were from all walks of life, and all vocations in the life of the Church, we were able to pray, study, and learn together as a family, thanks to the Dominicans.

Facade of the main entrance of the Pontifical
University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum)
Photo by Gizurr

For those reasons, I was very happy to host Mother M. Assumpta Long, OP, and three sisters of her community, the Dominicans Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, for an evening at St. Patrick's Pastoral Center in Fort Worth. Due to the growth and expansion of the community, the Sisters are in the planning stages of building a new priory in Georgetown, Texas, in the Diocese of Austin, so they can be of greater service to the apostolic work of Catholic Education in the Church in Texas. Thus, young people of today can experience the witness of religious sisters, and learn like I did, to develop the God given gifts of music, art, and to strengthen the intellect and Faith. Welcome, Mother Assumpta and Sisters to Texas! We know that you got here as soon as you could! I would certainly encourage anyone who is interested in their community, or helping them here in Texas, to contact them at www.sistersofmary.org.

Bishop Vann with Mother M. Assumpta Long, OP, (behind Bishop,
right side) and three sisters of her community, the Dominicans
Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.

A short film about the Dominican Sisters of Mary,
Mother of the Eucharist, in Ann Arbor, Michigan