Behold the Heritage is a vital collection of writings on the history and essence of Dominican education for all who delight in truth and relish the honor of sharing it with others as a teacher. An invaluable source of information, inspiration, and intellectual and spiritual joy, this marvelous anthology of works shares the wisdom and glory of Thomism, of Dominican spirituality, and of those fundamental Gospel truths that all Catholics hold.
281 pages, softbound cover; edited by Sister Matthew Marie Cummings, O.P. and Sister Elizabeth Anne Allen, O.P.

In honor of the 150th year of the Congregation's founding, a medal bearing the image of Saint Cecilia, patroness of the Congregation, was commissioned.  The image depicted on the medal is based on the design of the statue of Saint Cecilia in the exonarthex of the Motherhouse chapel.  The Saint Cecilia medal is silver-filled and approximately the size of a U.S. quarter. 

by Sister Mary Madeline Todd, O.P.

Franz Mayer Studio in Munich, Germany was comissioned to craft the beautiful clerestory stained glass windows in our new St. Cecilia Chapel. A recently printed full color, soft bound edition of these 16 windows, depicting the events of St. Dominic's life, are available for purchase. Meditations, explaining the details incorporated in each window, reveal the story of the life of St. Dominic.

By Sister Terese Auer, O.P.

Available for purchase from the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation is an introductory textbook written for use within a high school bioethics curriculum. Entitled The Human Person ~ Dignity Beyond Compare, the text is designed to present to high school students St. Thomas Aquinas’ philosophical understanding of the human person. This 135-page, soft-bound book offers not only philosophical doctrine, but also practical case considerations to help students appreciate the relevance of the material presented.

By Sister Terese Auer, O.P.

Called to Happiness~Guiding Ethical Principles, is available for purchase from the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation. It is a second textbook written for use within a high school bioethics curriculum.  This text presents to the reader the foundational ethical doctrine of St. Thomas Aquinas covering topics such as happiness, moral law, freedom, conscience, the moral act, and virtue.  Designed to follow The Human Person~Dignity Beyond Compare, this 196-page, soft-bound book presents not only philosophical doctrine but also practical case considerations to help students appreciate the relevance of the material presented.

The sisters made a community pilgrimage in the Jubilee Year of 2000 to Spain, France, and Italy, tracing their history and heritage. This CD is a part of the musical legacy of St. Dominic, who sang for sheer joy as he walked in preaching journeys across Europe, and of our musical namesake, St. Cecilia, the early Christian martyr whose constant song to the Lord in her heart has given her the title of Patroness of Music.

Designed by one of our sisters, this program provides an art curriculum on DVD for grades 1-8 which emphasizes the history and heritage of Christianity. The eight Levels are broad in scope so that each level can profitably be used by a child in a grade below or a grade above the Level. Each of the levels progresses from a primitive or prehistoric art lesson, through Ancient art, Medieval art projects, Renaissance art, 17th and 18th century art, to Modern art. 
Features of the Christian Heritage Art Program include:

• Integration of faith, art, and culture: The program teaches art from the Christian perspective, combining art history, art appreciation, and art production. The lessons guide the students through viewing famous works of art, interpreting their message, and creating their own masterpieces.
• Economical and easy to use: The program has been assembled with the school timetable and budget in mind. No expensive supplies or elaborate equipment is needed. The manuals provide a systematic step-by-step method for teaching each lesson.
• Interactive: Students interact repeatedly with master works, peer art, and their own ideas.
• Adaptable and flexible: While the program builds on concepts and skills taught in earlier lessons, lessons may also be used individually.
• Offers enrichment: The teacher’s manuals offer enriching activities that will expand not only the student’s artistic abilities but their awareness of the history and literature that enhance the art period.
• Unique: This is the only art program that integrates art appreciation, art activities, and Christian culture.
• Recognized and reviewed by noteworthy sources

DVDs can be ordered individually or as a complete set. Included in the order are details of how to teach all lessons, enrichment activities, narratives, bibliography and credits.

For more information about the Christian Heritage Art Program, contact us:

Christian Heritage Art Program
St. Cecilia Congregation
801 Dominican Drive
Nashville, TN 37228
Phone: (615) 256-5486
Fax: (615) 687-3504

Ages 5-7
Of the six art periods, the first lesson will have great appeal for the children because it integrates their own previous knowledge of the story of Adam and Eve with the recent findings of animal cave art in Lascaux, France.  In this lesson, they will make their own make-believe cave wall animals in poster paint.

The Medieval lesson will show them beautiful Madonnas of many cultures and then the children will make their own crayon resist Mother Mary.

For additional information on the entire Christian Heritage Art Program read the details of the boxed set.

Ages 6-8
In the second lesson, the young stduents will make their own catacomb symbols in colored tissue paper after learning about the young Chrstian martyr Tarcisius.

In their last lesson, the students study Movement and Line in creating their own animal rhythms after viewing the beautiful paintings of Edwin Landseer and Franz Marc.

For additional information on the entire Christian Heritage Art Program read the details of the boxed set.

Ages 7-9
In the third lesson, Medieval coats of arms are the models students use for creating their own personal shield using markers and paper with St. Louis, King of France, as their inspiration.

In the fifth lesson, American artists are studied while students create their own American history collage.

For additional information on the entire Christian Heritage Art Program read the details of the boxed set.

Ages 8-10
The Anceint period in this Level has the students following Abraham and his descendants as they view the art of Egypt and Mesopotamia, and then make their own bas relief clay and plaster sculptures.

The Renaissance period focuses on the artist Masaccio while learning the main principles of perspective.  Then the students make their own initials in colored block perspective.

For additional information on the entire Christian Heritage Art Program read the details of the boxed set.

Ages 9-11
The High Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci is studied in this period and the students learn the art of scale drawing.

In their last lesson of the Modern period, Impressionist artists such as Monet, Renoir and Seurat are studied.  The students, then, make their own Pointillism still life.

For additional information on the entire Christian Heritage Art Program read the details of the boxed set.

Ages 10-12
In the third lesson of Medieval Stained Glass the Gothic cathedrals of Europe are the impetus for the students to learn various color schemes and incorporate them into their own contemporary designs.  Markers and oiled crayon is the medium used. 

In the 17th-18th centuries lesson the students make pastel self-portraits after viewing the portraits of Rembrandt and Franz Hals. 

For additional information on the entire Christian Heritage Art Program read the details of the boxed set.

Ages 11-13
In viewing the beautiful ancient Greek vase designs, the students study the human figure and create their own atheletic event in a crayon tempera etching. 

The Late Renaissance artist Caravaggio is studied in the fourth lesson.  In examining his dramatic religious paintings such as the "Conversion of St. Paul", the students show their knowledge of foreshortening in creating appealing posters.

For additional information on the entire Christian Heritage Art Program read the details of the boxed set.

Ages 12-14
In the first lesson students arrive with the missionary fathers in Central Africa and see the beautiful bead jewelry worn by the natives.  Then under the impetus of this carefully wrought art, they create their own jewelry from colored magazine papers and bread beads.

In the Renaissance period the students study Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, see the restored ceiling and then, taking inspiration from these beautiful frescoes, make a charcoal figure drawing of one of their classmates.

For additional information on the entire Christian Heritage Art Program read the details of the boxed set.