Visit with the Dominican Sisters

This afternoon we visited with two Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia (more commonly known as "Nashville Dominicans" because their congregation is based in Nashville, TN). The congregation's charism is primarily teaching; to that end, the five sisters currently assigned in Rome are pursuing studies in the various Roman universities.

We met the Sisters at the Basilica of Santa Sabina on the Aventine Hill. The Basilica has special significance for us because the architecture of our very own Saint Mary's Chapel at SPS is based on that of Santa Sabina.

Sr. Mary Esther, O.P., speaks to the class

The priory at Santa Sabina, the Dominican headquarters in Rome, has housed such great Dominican saints as St. Dominic himself, St. Raymond of Penyafort, and St. Thomas Aquinas (who worked on his Summa Theologiae while there). After seeing the Basilica, we were privileged to celebrate the Votive Mass of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, in the cell where St. Dominic lived at Santa Sabina. Really, the Saint did very little sleeping in the cell - he studied there, but spent many a night in prayer in the Basilica. We were shown the window high above the nave of the Basilica through which Dominic's brothers would look down and "spy" on their holy founder as he kept vigil through the night.

Outside the Cell of St. Dominic


Gathering in the tiny space of St. Dominic's Cell for Mass


Preaching in the Cell of the Founder of the Order of Preachers

After Santa Sabina, the Sisters took us on a walk down the Aventine Hill and across the Tiber River to the ancient neighborhood of Trastevere and the Basilica of Santa Cecilia - where we visited the tomb of the virgin martyr patroness of the Nashville Dominicans.

Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere

Cecilia was a 2nd century daughter of a noble Roman family, martyred for her faith by beheading. In the 1600s, her body was exhumed from its previous burial place in the Roman catacombs and found to be incorrupt. An exact replica of the body was sculpted and attested by the sculptor to be exactly as it was found:

Replica statue of the incorrupt body of Saint Cecilia in the altar of the Basilica

The Sisters then took us down into the crypt of the Basilica to show us the excavated remains of the home of St. Cecilia - where she was martyred. The body of the Saint is found above the altar in the beautiful crypt chapel. There the sisters shared with us some thoughts on religious life and their charism. We appreciate their kindness and company, and thank them for their fidelity and witness to Christ, their Spouse!

The Sisters at the tomb of their Patroness