On February 18, St. Mary’s Dominican High School celebrated its new sponsorship with Dominican Veritas Ministries (DVM) during a Mass and ceremony with the school community, boards of directors, alumnae, parents, and guests. The celebration was held in the Sr. Ambrose Reggio, O.P. Gymnasium.
Following the welcome by Dr. Cynthia A. Thomas, OPA, President of St. Mary’s Dominican High School, Student Preachers Maggy LeBlanc ’25 and Kaitlin Vlosich ’25 gave a reflection. “Today’s celebration will remind us of our connection to the full Dominican community spread throughout the world,” shared Maggy. Kaitlin noted, “For centuries, the Dominican Order has lived in the pursuit of Veritas. Through the Dominican Sisters of Peace and now the DVM, we will continue to strive to preach truth for centuries to come.”
Very Reverend Patrick Carr was the celebrant for the Mass. On the altar were relics of Dominican saints: St. Catherine of Siena, St. Dominic de Guzman, St. Martin de Porres, St. Thomas Aquinas. The chalice used for the Mass was given on the occasion of Mother Mary Magdalen O’Farrell’s Golden Jubilee in 1890. One of the seven Dominican Sisters who journeyed from Cabra, Ireland, to New Orleans in 1860, she was a key figure in the founding of St. Mary’s Dominican High School.
Five Dominican Sisters congregations founded DVM in 2022 to oversee Dominican ministries in the United States. It is a canonical entity recognized by the Vatican. During the Sponsorship Transfer Ceremony, Sr. Patricia Twohill, O.P., Prioress, Dominican Sisters of Peace; Sr. Therese Leckert, O.P., Dominican Sisters of Peace and Member of DVM; and Dr. Kristin Melley, Executive Director of DVM, spoke about the significance of the ceremony.
“The Dominican Sisters of Peace are so proud of St. Mary’s Dominican High School. The school’s innovative spirit flourishes because of its firm foundation built on the Dominican Pillars – Prayer, Community, Study and Service! I am confident that St. Mary’s Dominican will remain a beacon of hope and truth in New Orleans for years to come educating strong leaders to serve our Church and society,” said Sr. Patricia Twohill, O.P.
Sr. Therese Leckert, O.P., shared, “Dominican Veritas Ministries is a collaborative effort of U.S. Dominican Sisters congregations who want to provide for the future of Dominican Catholic Education beyond the time when an individual congregation would be able to fulfill the role of sponsorship. Dominican Veritas Ministries currently includes not only our four Dominican Sisters of Peace schools, but also nine other schools sponsored by other U.S. Dominican Sisters’ congregations. This provides for our Dominican Sisters of Peace schools’ leaders a wider network of colleagues with whom they can share resources.”
“In the spirit of the Dominican Sisters who founded our school over 164 years ago, the Dominican Sisters of Peace have once again demonstrated inspirational vision, leadership, and collaboration that assures Dominican Catholic Education for many future generations of students! said Dr. Cynthia A. Thomas, OPA.
In expression of their deep gratitude to the Dominican Sisters, the students, faculty, and personnel sang, Dona Nobis Pacem – a Latin phrase that translates to grant us peace or give us peace. After the singing of the Alma Mater, the Dominican Band played Second Line followed by Do Whatcha Wanna, Waves, and Toast of Praise.
Ready to process for the celebration of Mass (from left), Sr. Patricia Twohill, OP, Sr. Cathy Arnold, O.P., Mr. Robert Munch, Dr. Cynthia A. Thomas, OPA, and Sr. Anne Lythgoe, O.P.
Sr. Patricia Twohill, O.P., (from left) Sr. Cathy Arnold, OP, and Sr. Anne Lythgoe, O.P, join the Mass procession.
St. Mary’s Dominican High School librarian Sr. Angeline Magro, O.P. and student Stella Harper ’29 bring the gifts to the altar.
Participants in the lighting ceremony were The Honorable Kelly McNeil Legier, ’85, Chair of the St. Mary’s Dominican High School Board ; Dr. Kristin Melley, Executive Director, Dominican Veritas Ministries; Mr. Robert Munch, Chair of St. Mary’s Dominican High School Education Board; and Dr. Cynthia A. Thomas, OPA, President of St. Mary’s Dominican High School. Symbolizing the transfer of sponsorship to Dominican Veritas Ministries, the ceremony began with lighting of the Pascal candle that St. Mary’s Dominican High School uses for every induction ceremony. From that candle, the flame was transferred to the candle representing the Dominican Sisters of Peace, then to the Dominican VeritasMinistries candle, and finally to St. Mary’s Dominican High School’s candle.
Joining in the Second Line celebrating St. Mary’s Dominican High School’s new sponsorship with Dominican Veritas Ministries are (from left) Sr. Cathy Arnold, O.P., Sr. Mary Ann Culotta, O.P., Sr. Suzanne Bauer, O.P., Sr. Angeline Magro, O.P., Sr. Anne Lythgoe, O.P., Sr. Maria Ciriello, O.P., Nate Friday (DVM Director of Formation), and Mark Butler, OPA, (Dominican Sisters of Peace Director of Founded Ministries).
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