Dominican Difference

Letter from the Editor

“With a gentle spirit, the Dominican Sisters joyfully share the truth of the Gospel, bringing others closer to Christ.”

Dear Friends of Mount de Sales Academy, Newcomers to our Mount de Sales Academy (MDSA) community often notice what we describe as the Dominican Difference. In this publication, we will see and celebrate how the Nashville Dominicans of St. Cecilia Congregation’s years at MDSA have helped our young people to become strong, faith-filled, and confident young women for today’s world. This anniversary publication intends to recognize and share the Dominican Sisters’ beautiful witness to Christ at MDSA. Their faithful presence makes a profound difference not only in the lives of our students but also in the entire community, including parents, faculty, and staff. We recall the arrival of the Sisters in 1985 and how their 35 years of faith-filled service have enhanced

our almost 170-year-old mission of educating

young women. As you peruse these pages, you will discover: • MDSA Trustee and Historian Father Michael J.P. Roach honors the contributions of the founding Visitation Nuns and The Dominican Renaissance. • Sister Philip Joseph Davis, O.P., a member of the 1985 Pioneer Team, provides her first-person account of arriving at Mount de Sales Academy and her view of the school’s miraculous transformation. • Members of our community recount their fond memories and the personal impact of the

Dominican Difference.

A caring and wholesome community life strengthens the Sisters in their loving devotion to the people they humbly serve. With a gentle spirit,

the Dominican Sisters joyfully share the truth of the Gospel, bringing others closer to Christ.

We are blessed with the presence of our beloved Dominican Sisters and are grateful for their 35 years of service to Mount de Sales. We hope after reading this issue, you will be equally inspired. Visit our website to read the unabridged versions of the reflections in this issue at mountdesalesorg/ about/dominican-sisters.

In Christ’s love,

Karen von Lange P’09 ‘16 Director of Marketing and Communications

TABLE OF CONTENTS

04 The Dominican Renaissance of Mount de Sales Academy 06 A Day in the Life of a Dominican Sister 08 Laughing While You Learn: My Dominican Education 10 Reflections from Sister Philip Joseph, O.P. 17 Letter from the Board of Trustees President 18 One Family’s Intersection with the Sisters from Nashville