American Catholic Women Religious

This book depicts the significant role played by American Catholic Women Religious in the broader narratives of modern American history and the history of the Catholic Church. The book is a guide to fifty foreign missions founded by Dominican and Maryknoll Sisters in the twentieth century.  Sister Donna Moses examines root causes for the radical political stances taken by American Catholic Women Religious in the latter half of the century and for the conservative backlash that followed. The book identifies key events that contributed to the present state of division within the American Catholic Church and describes current efforts to engage in dynamic dialogue. 

 

“Sr. Donna Maria Moses’ book American Catholic Women Religious: Radicalized by Mission records a wonderful history of courageous and faithful mission. It is fascinating to see how these Dominican and Maryknoll Sisters both shared in and shaped the Church’s ever deepening understanding of what it means to be a preacher.” (Timothy Radcliffe, OP Former Master of the Order and Author of Take the Plunge: Living Baptism and Confirmation, 2012)

“American Catholic Women Religious: Radicalized by Mission is a splendid, well-written, well-researched, relevant and timely history. Through the Catholic mission history of American women Dominicans in the 20th century, Donna Maria Moses explores the effect of the transcultural, transnational mission experience on the hearts and lives of the missionaries and on their religious communities. She notes how missionaries become sensitive to how their native government’s policies can adversely affect the lives of the people they serve, and analyzes the impact this new consciousness has had on international affairs and foreign policy development. This “radical” element has at times put the religious and their communities at odds not only with the policies and actions of their native government but also with those of the Church they endeavor to serve.” (Betty Ann Maheu, MM Author of Maryknoll Sisters Hong Kong, Macau, China 1968-2007)

“This book tells the engaging story of American Dominican missionary sisters as they obey the gospel command of the Risen Jesus--to 'go make disciples of all nations.' Donna Maria manages to express not only American history that becomes global, but to build the story on the bases of theology, and missiology, as it develops in recent decades of the Church in the world. It chronicles the dedicated lives of women preachers imaginatively living out their calling across cultures, languages, and in dialogue with other religions. Reading this book is infectious. One can catch some of the radical sense ofhow these women became the Good News they shared with others.” (Megan McKenna, Author of Listen Here (2016), Like a Hammer Shattering Rock: Reading the Gospels Today (2013) and This Will Be Remembered of Her: Stories of Women Reshaping the World (2010))

“As Sister Donna Maria’s research has shown, there has been no more challenging time for women religious in the USA than these years following the Second Vatican Council.  It’s true that new ways of ministry and mission have emerged . . . but there has also been pain caused by internal divisions and diminishing vocations.  One thing holds true: the Church is deeply indebted to the service women religious have provided for decades. I would not be the person I am today without the benefit of the Catholic education I received from Dominican Sisters.  The Sisters’ fidelity to their vows, their religious congregations, and the Church have forever made an indelible impression on the lives of so many of us.” (Most Rev. Michael C. Barber, S.J., Bishop of Oakland, USA)

Sister Donna Maria Moses, OP is a Dominican Sister of Mission San Jose.  She served on the faculty of St. Mary’s College of California, Santa Clara University, and Queen of the Holy Rosary College, before her present assignment as senior chaplain at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, a Level I Trauma Center in San Jose, CA. She holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of San Francisco and has published numerous peer reviewed articles on Dominican history and spirituality.