Alumnae News
Sailor Sister by Sister Amelia, O.P.
The grace of a religious vocation blesses not only the individual but also the community and family that has prepared and prayed for the one being called. It is with great joy that Mount de Sales Academy acknowledges our own latest blessing as recent graduate Margaret Smith '12 heads to the convent this August. Maggie follows in the footsteps of five other recent MDSA graduates who are currently members of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia: Sister Mary Caroline Ames, O.P. '83 Sister Maria Goretti Baker, O.P. '90 Sister Mary Madeline Todd, O.P. '90 Sister Mary Monica Bankard, O.P. '96 Sister Grace Dominic Hargadon, O.P. '01 Though the Dominican Sisters serve in many schools across the country, including Mount de Sales Academy, Nashville, TN is home to the community’s Motherhouse. Maggie will join the convent along with more than a dozen other young women on August 15, 2012. Upon entrance each young woman will assume the title “Sister” along with her baptismal name and don the black and white uniform of a “postulant,” or, first year sister. Maggie's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Smith said, "We are so proud of Maggie. It will not be easy for any of us, but we know that she is following God's will."
MDSA Graduation Day 2012. (From top) Sister Anne Catherine, Sister Amelia, Sister Patrick Stephen, Sister Peter Marie, Sister Philip Joseph, Sister Mary Celeste, Kerry Smith '10, and Maggie Smith '12.
Maggie, soon to be Sister Margaret, will spend her first four years studying the teachings and documents of the Catholic Church, the three vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and begin work on her undergraduate degree at Aquinas College. Maggie remarks, "Although I know that religious life requires many sacrifices, God has captured my heart with His love in such a way that only He can capture. His infinite love overflows the boundaries of my human heart, but by becoming a Dominican I can give that overflowing love to others through the teaching apostolate." Mount de Sales is grateful for the blessing of Maggie’s vocation, for the formation from her family that has nourished her calling, and for the joyful “yes” that Sister Margaret is giving to the Lord. Our Mount de Sales patron St. Francis de Sales said, “Be who you are and be that well.” May Sister Margaret flourish in her vocation and be assured of the prayers of her sailor family as she begins this bold step in becoming Christ’s bride. Letters of congratulations or prayers can be addressed to Maggie at: Sr. Margaret Smith St. Cecilia Novitiate 801 Dominican Drive Nashville, TN 37228
The Smith Family: (Back row from left) Danny, Maggie, Brendan, Kerry, and Mr. Mark Smith. (Front row from left) Mrs. Anne Smith, Maureen, Terry, Tommy, and Patrick.
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For more information about the Nashville Dominicans of St. Cecilia Congregation, visit www.nashvilledominican.org.