What's Happening

By Sister Mary Jean Williams, OP

October 31, 2016, Wilmette, Illinois – To celebrate the 800th Jubilee of the Order of Preachers, pictures that replicate stained glass windows of St. Dominic and St. Catherine were placed in the main lobby of Regina Dominican High School. 

Sister Adrienne Piennette, OP, when she was president of the school, had commissioned Bill Griffith to design and create stained glass windows in the school chapel, honoring St. Dominic, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Rose of Lima, and St. Martin de Porres. 

Members of the school community and visitors who enter the lobby immediately see the images of St. Dominic, the patron of the school, and St. Catherine of Siena, a woman who spoke truth with authority.  

Plaques describing ministry of St. Dominic and St. Catherine are displayed under the pictures. Below are paraphrases of the messages on the plaques.

Dominic was a priest and preacher. When he traveled he encountered people who believed all matter was evil and denied the incarnation of Jesus. Dominic preached against these heresies and spoke the truth: all human life is good. He was a joyful man who deeply reverenced life and his theology was rooted in prayer and study.  

St. Catherine was a lay Dominican, peacemaker, and mystic. Attending the lost ones, the unloved, those with the most repulsive diseases, was an essential part of her ministry. Catherine was radiantly happy and full of practical wisdom. She was a woman of deep prayer and served as mediator, giving Pope Gregory sound advice.

Feature photo: Photos of stained glass windows of St. Dominic and St. Catherine of Siena hang in the main hall of Regina Dominican High School.