About the Dominican Sisters of Mary Immaculate:
Founded in 1958, the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of Mary Immaculate traces its roots to Vietnam. The order is based in Houston and counts 103 sisters, seven novices, and three postulants in its membership.The fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975 resulted in a group of Sisters traveling across the Pacific. The migrated Sisters were welcomed into the then Diocese (now Archdiocese) of Galveston-Houston and later formed the Dominican Sisters of Mary Immaculate Province.
They arrived in the Diocese of Fort Worth in 2011 at the invitation of then Bishop Kevin Vann and lived in a south Arlington home donated by the Doskocil family before moving into a building near Nolan Catholic High School. The Dominican Sisters of Mary Immaculate work in the Diocese of Fort Worth educating elementary age children, high school students, and candidates for the permanent diaconate.
About Blessed Imelda Convent in Fort Worth, Texas:
The Blessed Imelda Convent, named for Blessed Imelda Lambertini, the patroness of first communicants, is located on the grounds of Nolan Catholic High School.
“The centrality of this oratory manifests Christ who is the capstone,” Bishop Michael Olson of Fort Worth has pointed out. “Yet, also in Dominican life, the library is essential to understand Christ better and to preach eloquently, through your lives in community, the Word.”
In seeking God’s blessing and protection for the convent, the bishop asked not only for intercessory prayer from St. Dominic, St. Catherine, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Blessed Imelda, but also St. Therese of the Child Jesus whose feast day is Oct. 1.
At the center of the building is the oratory and across from it is the library, which reminds the Sisters of their balance between faith and reason.
Rising at 5 a.m. for morning prayer, meditation, and daily Mass, the convent’s residents then depart for their various ministries.
Having the religious order in close proximity to the high school, “brings us so much joy,” said Kristy Webb, Nolan’s president.
Noticeable in their floor-length white habits, the sisters are often part of the crowd at football and volleyball games.
“We see them walking on campus. They are praying for us and praying for Nolan,” Webb said. “The students love it. They watched the building’s progress and some actually helped with the move-in process.”
Sister Maria Theresa, OP, the religious order’s provincial, traveled from Houston to attend the special liturgy and open house along with 30 other sisters.
“We are so richly blessed by Bishop Olson for allowing us to serve here in the diocese and gifting us with this beautiful convent,” she said. “It is so conducive to our way of life as a religious and Dominican spirituality as well.”
The new space provides room for additional sisters.
“This convent can hold up to 12 sisters and there are nine here, so we hope to grow,” the provincial added.
After Bishop Olson blessed the interior and exterior of the white brick building with holy water, the convent’s superior presented him with a metal statue of St. Michael the Archangel.
“So many graces abound this day,” Sr. Ann Bosco said, addressing the bishop and other benefactors. “On behalf of our sisters, I offer our deepest heartfelt gratitude. We are eternally indebted to you for your boundless love and gracious support of religious women at large and particularly to our Dominican sisters.”