Health Insurance Mandate: Religious Freedom and Conscience Rights in United States Seriously Threatened
     The United States, from its very beginnings, has been an example of true human freedom and religious liberty for all.  During its history, in fact, our nation has sheltered countless people who came here from countries where their basic freedoms were either in danger or being denied altogether.  Sadly, Americans now face a similar threat.  At this moment, which is strange and new to us, our own religious freedom and rights of conscience are in jeopardy.  Sharing the very serious concerns expressed by Pope Benedict XVI and by our U.S. bishops in recent weeks, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia will set aside nine days of prayer and fasting during the month of February, asking Our Lady to intercede for our country.
Background
     The Holy Father noted in a recent address to U.S. Bishops visiting Rome that Catholics in the United States face “grave threats to the Church’s public witness” and “attempts to limit the most cherished of American freedoms, the freedom of religion.”  He was responding to the American bishops’ concerns about “concerted efforts…to deny the right of conscientious objection on the part of Catholic individuals and institutions with regard to cooperation in intrinsically evil practices” and the “tendency to reduce religious freedom to mere freedom of worship.”  Pope Benedict stressed that it is imperative that “the entire Catholic community in the United States” recognize and counter these threats. 
While faced with multiple threats to religious liberty, the most immediate concern is a January 20, 2012 ruling by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),  made in conjunction with the recently approved healthcare law.  In identifying the “preventive services” that must be covered in most health insurance plans, this HHS mandate specifies “all FDA approved forms of contraception,” including sterilization and some abortifacients.  Although the ruling does allow an exemption for certain religious organizations, the exemption is so narrow that most religious institutions — including most Catholic schools,  colleges and universities, hospitals, and charitable agencies — do not meet the criteria. 
     As a result of this ruling, religious employers will be required to pay for  forms of health insurance coverage  that violate both their religious beliefs and their rights of conscience. This would be the case with employers at both Catholic and many other religiously-affiliated institutions. 
     This decision was immediately denounced by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as well as numerous individual bishops and other religious leaders, both Christian and non-Christian.  According to the terms of the mandate, most new and renewed health plans will be required to include the aforementioned services beginning August 1, 2012.  Nonprofit employers who, because of their religious beliefs, do not currently provide contraceptive coverage, may have an additional year, until August 1, 2013, to comply with the new law; but they must certify that they qualify for delayed implementation.  In the meantime, they must provide their employees with specific information about sites where “contraceptive services” can be obtained.  Thus religious employers are obliged by law to cooperate in actions which they hold in conscience to be intrinsically evil.
     Cardinal-Designate Timothy M. Dolan, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, has termed the HHS decision “literally unconscionable.”  The Washington Post, in a January 22 editorial, noted that the final HHS ruling “fails to address the fundamental problem of requiring religiously affiliated entities to spend their own money in a way that contradicts the tenets of their faith.”
     Numerous bishops and other religious leaders have continued to issue public protests against the HHS decision.  The bishops have vowed to continue fighting the mandate, urging their people to do the same.  
     The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation strongly share the concern of our bishops and other religious leaders who have expressed opposition to this decision of the HHS.  We are providing in this newsletter links to statements and articles giving more complete information about the implications of this ruling, one which poses an unprecedented threat to freedom of religion and conscience in our country. 
United in Prayer
     We beg God for the preservation of our great and beautiful country, and of the freedom we have all enjoyed and been privileged to share with others.  The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia invite you to join with us in a novena of prayer and fasting, asking Mary, Patroness of the United States of America, to implore God’s loving mercy on us at this critical time.  The novena will begin February 11 and end February 19, 2012.  The sisters will be praying the following prayer each of the nine days (see next drop-down).

The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation invite you to join us in a novena of prayer February 11-19, 2012

Act of Consecration of the United States to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
     Most Holy Trinity: Our Father in heaven, who chose Mary as the fairest of your daughters; Holy Spirit, who chose Mary as your spouse; God the Son, who chose Mary as your Mother; in union with Mary, we adore your majesty and acknowledge your supreme, eternal dominion and authority.
     Most Holy Trinity, we put the United States of America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order that she may present the country to you.  Through her we wish to thank you for the great resources of this land and for the freedom, which has been its heritage. Through the intercession of Mary, have mercy on the Catholic Church in America.  Grant us peace.  Have mercy on our president and on all the officers of our government.  Grant us a fruitful economy born of justice and charity.  Have mercy on capital and industry and labor. Protect the family life of the nation. Guard the precious gift of many religious vocations. Through the intercession of our Mother, have mercy on the sick, the poor, the tempted, sinners – on all who are in need.
     Mary, Immaculate Virgin, our Mother, Patroness of our land, we praise you and honor you and give our country and ourselves to your sorrowful and Immaculate Heart.  O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pierced by the sword of sorrow prophesied by Simeon, save us from degeneration, disaster and war.  Protect us from all harm.  O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, you who bore the sufferings of your Son in the depths of your heart, be our advocate.  Pray for us, that acting always according to your will and the will of your divine Son, we may live and die pleasing to God.  Amen.

Imprimatur, Patrick Cardinal O’Boyle, Archbishop of Washington, 1959, for public consecration of the United States to the Immaculate Heart of Mary;  renewed by U.S. Bishops, November 11, 2006

link to pdf of this document

The Catholic News Agency has set up a webpage devoted to current information on the HHS Mandate
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/mandate/

Obama's Revised HHS Mandate Won't Solve Problems, USCCB President Says (February 14, 2012)
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1200596.htm

Six More Things Everyone Should Know About the HHS Mandate (USCCB Blog, February 14, 2012)
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2012/02/six-more-things-everyone-should-know.html

January 20, 2012 press release by Department of Health and Human Services giving final mandate on insurance coverage:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2012pres/01/20120120a.html

January 20, 2012 Statement of Cardinal-Designate Timothy M. Dolan
http://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-012.cfm

Summary of Bishops’ Responses:
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2012/01/here-comes-everybody-on-hhs.html

http://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-020.cfm

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/white-houses-defense-of-mandate-called-inaccurate-and-misleading

February 6, 2012 From the USCCB website "Six things everyone should know about the HHS mandate"
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2012/02/six-things-everyone-should-know-about.html

CNN Interview:
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/01/is-obama-losing-the-catholic-vote/?hpt=hp_t1

Fox News:
http://video.foxnews.com/v/1427865065001/holy-war-over-health-care-law/?playlist_id=86858

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/01/31/holy-war-over-health-care-law-obama-angers-catholic-leaders/

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has urged Catholics to study the issue and write to Congress urging support for the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act:
http://www.nchla.org/actiondisplay.asp?ID=292

http://www.usccb.org/about/media-relations/resources/wall-street-journal-op-ed-on-religious-freedom.cfm

Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 2012:
http://www.consciencelaws.org/media/releases/releases-2012.html

February 6, 2012 From the USCCB website "Six things everyone should know about the HHS mandate"
http://usccbmedia.blogspot.com/2012/02/six-things-everyone-should-know-about.html

CNN Interview: 
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/01/is-obama-losing-the-catholic-vote/?hpt=hp_t1

Fox News:
http://video.foxnews.com/v/1427865065001/holy-war-over-health-care-law/?playlist_id=86858

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/01/31/holy-war-over-health-care-law-obama-angers-catholic-leaders/

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has urged Catholics to study the issue and write to Congress urging support for the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act:
http://www.nchla.org/actiondisplay.asp?ID=292

http://www.usccb.org/about/media-relations/resources/wall-street-journal-op-ed-on-religious-freedom.cfm

Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 2012:

http://www.consciencelaws.org/media/releases/releases-2012.html

Unique stories of how two religious found their calling (Rome, February 12, 2012)
http://www.romereports.com/palio/unique-stories-of-how-two-religious-found-their-calling-english-6042.html

A bride of Christ: Desire for Christ leads Bishop Chatard graduate to life as Dominican sister
The Criterion (Archdiocese of Indianapolis), January 13, 2012
http://www.archindy.org/criterion/local/2012/01-13/s-bride.html

Dominican nun, doctor strives to heal the whole person
The Tennessee Register, October 14, 2011
http://www.dioceseofnashville.com/a-nurse-nun.htm

Statement regarding the Department of Health and Human Services Interim Final Rules on Preventive Services
American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), September 29, 2011
http://c0391070.cdn2.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/pdf/aclj-comments-HHS-dominican-sisters.pdf

Women Religious Leave Lasting Impact on Diocese
Tennessee Register, August 19, 2011
http://www.dioceseofnashville.com/a-womenreligious-history.htm

Australians Profess Vows as Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese, August 11, 2011
http://www.sydney.catholic.org.au/news/latest_news/2011/2011811_1520.shtml

Dominican's Dream Comes True with Final Profession of Vows
Tennessee Register, August 5, 2011
http://www.dioceseofnashville.com/a-dominicans.htm

New Spring Catholic High School Named
Your Houston News, July 16, 2011
http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/courier/living/article_51fd6b95-8ad7-5a1c-87a8-3af99cfadc5f.html

So You Want to Be a Nun?
Arlington Catholic Herald, July 27, 2011
http://catholicherald.com/local_news/detail.html?sub_id=16336

New Spring Catholic High School Named
Your Houston News, July 16, 2011
http://www.http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/courier/living/article_51fd6b95-8ad7-5a1c-87a8-3af99cfadc5f.html

DeSales Campus Opens New Convent for Nashville Dominicans
The Catholic Review, June 16, 2011
http://www.catholicreview.org/subpages/selectedstory.aspx?action=10131

Notre Dame's Return of the Dominican Sisters
Chattanooga CityScope, Spring 2011
http://www.cityscopemag.com/CS1.11/10_CS1.11_DominicanSisters.pdf

Sister Joan of Arc Former University of Notre Dame Women's Basketball Player
Living Bread Radio, February 21, 2011
http://www.livingbreadradio.com/index.php?view=sermon&id=10483&option=com_sermonspeaker&Itemid=77


Nuns in St. Mary's Convent Shed Light on Everyday Life
WBIR, February 15, 2011
http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=157128

Younger Catholic Women Get into the Habit
Voice of America, January 11, 2011
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/usa/people/Younger-Catholic-Women-Get-into-the-Habit-113267249.html
 

The sisters sing during the procession to the Oratory, where the Blessed Sacrament will be placed on the altar of repose for solemn adoration until 11:00 p.m. on Holy Thursday.

The community gathers in the De Profundis Hall for the noon Angelus. According to community custom, the sisters wear their mantles for all meals in the refectory on Good Friday.

Fr. Alfred Wilder, O.P., and Fr. John O’Neill hold the crucifix for each sister to venerate.

Sr. Maria Catherine leads the schola and congregation in the chant “Sweet the Nails and Sweet the Wood” during the Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday.

Sr. Mary Anne and Sr. Maria Catherine intone the psalms during the Office of Readings and Lauds on Holy Saturday.

Fr. Alfred Wilder, O.P., lights the paschal candle from the outdoor fire at the Easter Vigil. Fr. Brian Mullady, O.P., then processed with this symbol of “Christ our Light” into the darkness of the chapel.

Sisters hold their lighted candles after processing into the chapel behind the Paschal candle. The chapel remained dark during the readings and responses which mark the progression of salvation history at the Easter Vigil.

Sr. Mary Cecilia, Sr. Imelda Grace, and Sr. Mary Ruth add sounds of flute, oboe, and clarinet to the festive music of the Easter morning Mass.

Through the kindness of Clark and Caroline Baker and the staff at Camp Widjiwagan in Nashville, TN, the sisters were able to enjoy an overnight stay and a day of fun and relaxation at the YMCA camp.

The sisters pray Morning Prayers on the dock of Percy Priest Lake.

The sisters display their findings after the annual Easter egg hunt on the grounds of the YMCA camp. Other activities at the camp included street hockey, archery, canoeing, basketball, bike riding, and climbing the Alpine Tower.

Sr. John Catherine relaxes with a good book under a tree.

Aquinas College chaplain Fr. Jacek Kopera, O.P., celebrates Mass for the sisters at the Camp lodge on Easter Monday.

Sr. Agnes Marie visits with other participants before the Rally for Religious Freedom at the Tennessee State Capitol. This was one of over 140 rallies coordinated to take place across the nation at noon on Friday, March 23, 2012.

Our novices and postulants join other participants on Capitol Hill in the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the Rally.

Sr. Catherine Marie meets U.S. Representative Diane Black, who was one of the key speakers in defense of Religious Freedom at the Nashville Rally.

The sisters gather on the steps of Capitol Hill after the Rally to show their love and devotion to our country.

Many of the sisters shake hands with Dr. Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention, who spoke at the Rally. Dr. Land emphasized that the HHS Mandate was not a Catholic issue only and pledged his support of the U.S. Catholic Bishops’ fight for religious freedom for all.

Bishop David Choby gives his blessing to the sisters following the Rally for Religious Freedom.

Sr. Luke, Sr. Christine, and Sr. Mary Angela celebrated their Golden Jubilee on Saturday, March 3, 2012, commemorating their First Profession of Religious Vows on March 10, 1962.

Sr. Christine, Sr. Mary Angela, and Sr. Luke with their families in the chapel just before the Jubilee Mass begins.

During the Jubilee Mass, the three Jubilarians renewed their vows. Pictured here is Sister Christine, a former Prioress General,
renewing her vows into the hands of Mother Ann Marie.

Sr. Marian visits with Sr. Mary Angela’s niece Molly and great-niece CiCi.

Sr. Luke gathers with her siblings, Joe Hollerbach and Kathy Carroll, and her extended family.

Sr. Mary Angela gathers with her siblings, Al Highfield and Dolly Millican, and her extended family.

Sr. Christine gathers with her family: from right to left, her brother Tom Born; her brother Jim Born and his wife Ann Christine;
and behind them, her sister Louise Rider and husband Steve.

Mother Ann Marie shares with the Jubilarians their gifts from the community during breakfast in the refectory the morning of the Jubilee celebration.

From across the United States and Canada, sixty-one young women came to the St. Cecilia Motherhouse in Nashville, TN,
to attend the Jesu Caritas retreat led by Fr. Michael Najim, Vocation Director for the Diocese of Providence.

Retreatants gather to hear an orientation to Vespers before joining the community for prayer.

Fr. Najim led the retreatants through conferences reflecting on the theme “Behold, I make all things new.”

Novitiate Sisters serve home-made pretzels to the retreatants on the back lawn after recreation games of soccer, frisbee and football.

A retreatant enjoys a free moment to reflect near the shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes in the community cemetery.

Archbishop Charles J. Caput, OFM Cap., of the Archdioces of Philadelphia, celebrates and preaches at the Mass of Inauguration for Sr. Mary Sarah Galbraith, on January 26, 2012, at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville, Tennessee.


After investing her with the traditional symbols of the office, Mother Ann Marie Karlovic, Chair of the Board of Directors, presents Sr. Mary Sarah Galbraith as the eleventh President of Aquinas College.

The Feast of the Lord's Presentation also marks the World Day for consecrated Life. In the words of Pope Benedict XVI, "The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple is an eloquent image of the total gift of one's life for all those, men and women, who are called represent 'the characteristic features of Jesus--the chaste, poor and obedient one'" (from the 15th World Day of Consecrated Life).

The sisters gather in the Exonarthex outside the chapel to begin the procession, which recalls the entrance of the Christ-Child, a "light to the Gentiles", into the Temple.

 Fr. Alfred Wilder, O.P., our Motherhouse chaplain, blesses the sisters' candles on the Feast of the Presentation, also known as Candlemas.

 

The novices join in singing the antiphon "Adorn your bridal chamber, O Zion, and welcome Christ the Lord," as they enter the chapel with lighted candles.

 Sr. Mara Rose and Sr. Joan of Arc return to their places in chapel after the procession and the celebration of the Mass begins.

On the World Day of Consecrated Life, Sr. Mary Dolores, Sr. Mary Elaine and other sisters residing at the Motherhouse enjoyed a special luncheon in honor of their many years of faithful religious life.

Fr. John O’Neill and Fr. Jacek Kopera, O.P., assist Fr. Alfred Wilder, O.P., in the Eucharistic procession through the corridors surrounding the cloistered garden during Forty Hours Devotion at the Motherhouse.

Assisted by servers from the local community, Fr. Alfred Wilder, O.P., bears the Eucharist in procession from the chapel during the Closing of Forty Hours as the congregation sings Pange Lingua Gloriosi .

Clergy from throughout the Diocese and across the state joined the community for the Closing of Forty Hours on Monday, January 16, 2012.

Sr. Ignatius, prioress of the Motherhouse, welcomes clergy and guests to a dinner in their honor following the Closing of Forty Hours Devotion.

During the January 4-8 Vocation Retreat,  Fr. Albert Trudel, O.P., assistant novice master for the Province of St. Joseph, gave conferences on Dominican history, spirituality and charism to thirty-three young women from across the United States, Mexico, and Australia.

 
The retreatants immersed themselves in the daily routine and monastic practices of the sisters, eating their meals in silence while listening to spiritual reading.

 
During a tour of the Dominican Campus, the retreatants look on as Sr. Mary Charles demonstrates the methods of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and they explored the treasures of the Atrium where children from pre-kindergarten to third grade discover God’s presence and love in a uniquely personal way.

 
At a concert sing-along in the Recreation Hall, the novitiate sisters shared a repertoire of music ranging from Christmas hymns to country ballads.

 
Retreatants joined the novitiate sisters each day for outdoor recreation, with games that included soccer, ultimate Frisbee, capture the flag, and miniature golf.

 
Sr. Mary Leonard visits with a group of retreatants, sharing stories and wisdom from her many years of religious life.

During one of the semi-annual ongoing formation days just before Christmas, Mother Ann Marie reminds the Professed sisters of the gift of religious life and that formation "is a pursuit that never ends."

Sisters in their first few years after Final Profession gather in the Community's Heritage Room to discuss readings on the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Sister John Catherine, O.P. shares her insights with a group as they discuss their readings from the On-Going Formation texts.

Sister Terese Auer, O.P., PhD., and Sister Mary Diana Dreger, O.P., M.D., gave presentations during the morning assemblies of October 7 and 8, respectively.  The theme of the conference was "Formation of Physicians: Vision and Virtues for a New Era in Medicine." 

Sister Terese, a philosophy instructor with expertise in Thomistic philosophy, presented a talk entitled Moral Decision Making. Sister Terese has taught philosophy on the college level and presently teaches at John Paul the Great High School in the diocese of Arlington, VA.  She is Chair of the Department of Bioethics and the author of two bioethics texts for high school students, The Human Person--Dignity Beyond Compare and Called to Happiness--Guiding Ethical Principles.  For more information on these books, please see our Bookstore.  

Sister Mary Diana, a physician of internal medicine, presented The Practice of Virtue in the Practice of Medicine.  Sister Mary Diana is a graduate of Vanderbilt University Medical School where she received her degree in internal medicine.  She serves as physician at the Saint Thomas Family Health Center South Clinic, Nashville, and serves as primary physician to many members of the St. Cecilia Congregation. 

Sister Terese and Sister Mary Diana speak with Dr. Marcella Moffitt and the Most Rev. Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix at the Bishop's Reception.

Sister Mary Diana speaks to the Assembly of 375 participants gathered for the National Catholic Medical Association Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

Sister Catherine Marie Hopkins, O.P., celebrated 25 years of religious profession on July 2, 2011.  The ceremony coincided with the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the patronal feast of Sister Catherine Marie.

Bishop David Choby greets Sister Catherine Marie and her brothers Father Peter and Father Edward in the exonarthex before Mass.

Father John Hopkins elevates the host at the consecration during the Silver Jubilee Mass for Sister Catherine Marie Hopkins on July 2, 2011.

Sister Catherine Marie Hopkins joins her parents, Nelly and Peter, and her four brothers (from l. to r.) Father Edward, Stephen, Father Peter, and Father John in the Recreation Hall after her Silver Jubilee Mass.

With her hand and Mother Ann Marie's on the Constitutions, Sister Marie Isaac professes her religious vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience "for all my life" during the Mass of Perpetual Religious Profession on July 25, 2011.

The professed sisters of the community give the Sign of Peace to the newly professed.

The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia and guests fill the pews at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville, Tennessee, to witness the perpetual profession of seven sisters.

The quatrefoil in the Cathedral choir loft frames the seven perpetually professed sisters as they receive a blessing from Bishop David Choby at the conclusion of Mass.

Sister Marie Therese convinces her nephew to smile for the camera in the receiving line after Profession.

The seven sisters to be perpetually professed--Sister Emma, Sister Maria Caeli, Sister Elizabeth Marie, Sister Marie Isaac, Sister Bernadette Marie, Sister Marie Therese, and Sister Maris Stella--gather on the Motherhouse grounds.

The Novices gather with Bishop James Vann Johnston of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Gerardeau, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of the Archdiocese of Louisville, Bishop David Choby of the Diocese of Nashville, Mother Ann Marie, Novice MIstress Sister Mary Angela, and Homilist Father Andre-Joseph LaCasse, O.P

The sisters meditate on the words of the Profession homily given by Father Andre-Joseph LaCasse, O.P.

After professing her vows “To the Honor of Almighty God,” Sister Victoria Marie signs her name in the Congregation’s book of profession.

Each sister receives her black veil, the sign of religious consecration, from the hands of Bishop Choby.

The newly professed sisters join in singing the Offertory hymn during the Mass of First Profession.

Bishop David Choby blesses the scapulars of the fifteen newly professed sisters as they make the prostration in the Cathedral sanctuary signifying the total laying down of their lives.

Two of the newly professed sisters, Sister Paula Marie and Sister Cecilia Rose, greet one another after the ceremony.

The sisters greet the new postulants and their families at a welcoming ceremony on Entrance Day, August 14.

After a retreat filled with rest and prayer, the postulants prepared to process into the chapel for the pinning ceremony before Vespers on August 18.

Mother Ann Marie pins the Dominican cross on each of the new postulants.

 
The postulants join the community for prayers after the pinning ceremony.

The fourteen postulants in the class of 2011-2012 came to Nashville from eight states and three countries.

Father Dominic Izzo, Father Ken Letoile, Father Brian Mulcahy (back), and classmates Brother Gerard Thayer (front left) and Father William Holt (front right) join Brother Ignatius Perkins (front center) for the celebration of his Golden Jubilee on September 17, 2011, at Saint Cecilia Motherhouse in Nashville, Tennessee.

Brothers Ignatius and Gerard gather in the exonarthex for the entrance procession for the Jubilee Mass concelebrated by priests from the Dominican Order and the dioceses of Tennessee.

Brother Herman Johnson from the Southern Province of St. Martin de Porres joins Brother Ignatius and Brother Gerard for their Jubilee Mass.

Father Brian Mulcahy, Prior Provincial of he Province of St. Joseph, presides at the Golden Jubilee Mass, assisted by former Prior Provincials Father Terrence Quinn and Father Dominic Izzo.

Mother Ann Marie congratulates Brother Ignatius on his fifty years of religious life after the Mass.

Brother Ignatius stands with members of his family who traveled to Nashville to celebrate the day with him.

January 2012
General Intention: Victims of Natural Disasters.
That the victims of natural disasters may receive the spiritual and material comfort they need to rebuild their lives.

Missionary Intention: Dedication to Peace.
That the dedication of Christians to peace may bear witness to the name of Christ before all men and women of good will.


February 2012
General Intention: Access to Water.
That all peoples may have access to water and other resources needed for daily life.

Missionary Intention: Health Workers.
That the Lord may sustain the efforts of health workers assisting the sick and elderly in the world's poorest regions.


March 2012
General Intention: Contribution of Women. That the whole world may recognize the contribution of women to the development of society.

Missionary Intention: Persecuted Christians. That the Holy Spirit may grant perseverance to those who suffer discrimination, persecution, or death for the name of Christ, particularly in Asia.


April 2012
General Intention: Vocations. That many young people may hear the call of Christ and follow him in the priesthood and religious life.

Missionary Intention: Christ, Hope for Africans. That the risen Christ may be a sign of certain hope for the men and women of the African continent.


May 2012
General Intention: The Family. That initiatives which defend and uphold the role of the family may be promoted within society. .

Missionary Intention: Mary, Guide of Missionaries. That Mary, Queen of the World and Star of Evangelization, may accompany all missionaries in proclaiming her Son Jesus.


June 2012
General Intention: Christ, Present in the Eucharist. That believers may recognize in the Eucharist the living presence of the Risen One who accompanies them in daily life.

Missionary Intention: European Christians. That Christians in Europe may rediscover their true identity and participate with greater enthusiasm in the proclamation of the Gospel.


July 2012
General Intention: Work Security. That everyone may have work in safe and secure conditions.

Missionary Intention: Christian Volunteers. That Christian volunteers in mission territories may witness to the love of Christ.


August 2012
General Intention: That prisoners may be treated with justice and respect for their human dignity

Missionary Intention: Youth Witness to Christ. That young people, called to follow Christ, may be willing to proclaim and bear witness to the Gospel to the ends of the earth.


September 2012
General Intention: That politicians may always act with honesty, integrity, and love for the truth.

Missionary Intention: Help for the Poorest Churches. That Christian communities may have a growing willingness to send missionaries, priests, and lay people, along with concrete resources, to the poorest Churches.


October 2012
General Intention: New Evangelization. That the New Evangelization may progress in the oldest Christian countries.

Missionary Intention: World Mission Day. That the celebration of World Mission Day may result in a renewed commitment to evangelization.


November 2012
General Intention: Ministers of the Gospel. That bishops, priests, and all ministers of the Gospel may bear the courageous witness of fidelity to the crucified and risen Lord.

Missionary Intention: Pilgrim Church. That the pilgrim Church on earth may shine as a light to the nations.


December 2012
General Intention: That migrants throughout the world may be welcomed with generosity and authentic love, especially by Christian communities.

Missionary Intention: Christ, light for all humanity. That Christ may reveal himself to all humanity with the light that shines forth from Bethlehem and is reflected in the face of his Church.

Select one of the links below to read the Holy Father's messages regarding early Dominicans: (1) the life and virtues of Saint Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers; (2) Mendicant Orders; and (3) Saint Albert the Great.

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20100203_en.html

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20100113_en.html

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/audiences/2010/documents/hf_ben-xvi_aud_20100324_en.html

Salt and Light, Canada's Catholic Television Network, produced a documentary on the life and work of the Sisters of Saint Cecilia Congregation. 
Click on the link for a clip of this movie.  http://nashvilledominican.org/Vocations/The_Vocation_Director