Thursday, March 28, AD 2024 8:45am

The Dominican Sisters On The Oprah Winfrey Show

The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  They are a new order that arose from Pope John Paul II’s call for a new evangelization.  They are devout and orthodox in our Catholic faith which explains why the average age of a nun is 26 and they are already turning back inquiries since they are packed to capacity in their new convent.

They recently made an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show this past Tuesday, February 9.  I’ve only seen some of the show online and my assumptions were validated.  That being they were knowledgeable about our faith, energetically orthodox, and calm in their disposition.

I strongly advice you to watch all four videos that I have been able to track down of the entire show.  Some of the videos have a few seconds where the digital relay distorts the picture, but the sound is not disturbed.

Part I:  I love hearing the sisters talk about their faith unapologetically, ie, you hear “God called me”, “I am married to Jesus Christ”, etc, etc.  Simply beautiful!

Part II:  Oprah challenges them living without sex and the two beautiful souls that are nuns answer her charitably and correctly that that is not what defines them.  At the end of Part II I love Mother Assumpta’s answer to being called to religious life, ‘by default we are called to be mothers, but sometimes we get the call to be nuns.’  Watch the video.

Part III:  This portion moves me more deeply simply because Sister Maria Catherine used to be a parishioner in my church and is a friend still today.  An incredibly beautiful woman and extraordinarily bright, she wrestled for years about her vocation and I have not seen her as happy as she appears in this give and take with Oprah.  Simply beautiful.

Part IV:  Lisa Ling said something you would never hear in a million years on secular television, that religious life is actually “liberating”.  The entire show was even-handed and surprisingly it showed a very positive picture of religious life.

The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist is a Catholic community of women religious.  Their community was founded in the Dominican tradition, as a response to Pope John Paul II’s call for new religious foundations to embody the graces of the New Evangelization of the third millennium Church.

Through profession of the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, along with a contemplative emphasis on Eucharistic adoration and Marian devotion, their community exists for the salvation of souls and the building of the Church throughout the world.

Their foundation, thus, draws from the dynamism of the “new”, the vitality of the New Evangelization, and the rich heritage of the “old”, the cherished tradition of the Order of Preachers. While they espouse the impetus of Pope John Paul’s exhortation, Vita Consecrata: “…the church needs the spiritual and apostolic contribution of a renewed and revitalized consecrated life…”, they cling to the time-tested charism of our holy father, St. Dominic, and the Dominican Family that follow in his footsteps today.

They are consecrated women first, and so their foremost model is Mary, the Mother of God. Inspired by the spirit and energy of St. Dominic, their prayer comes first so that their apostolic work overflows from a contemplation nourished before the Eucharist.

Their apostolate as spiritual mothers, follows upon the “old” of preaching and teaching the Truth in order to gain souls for the Kingdom of Christ. They fully embrace the demands of our culture and society today, giving “new” voice and flesh to the Gospel, which they carry to all those they meet.

While their Motherhouse is in Ann Arbor, Michigan, their apostolic endeavors frequently bring them to other parts of the United States and beyond.

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kim
kim
Friday, February 12, AD 2010 4:44pm

I never watch Oprah but was visiting my brother’s family this past week and my sister-in-law had this particular show on. I was struck by Lisa Ling’s comments and was wondering if anyone knows if she is Catholic. It seems as these sisters, had a profouund impact on her.

Henry Karlson
Saturday, February 13, AD 2010 9:31am

Wait a minute! This is a scandal! They showed up on Oprah! We all know Oprah supported Obama! And according to this article, she supports abortion and homosexuality!

http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2000/aug/00081101.html

So how can they go on her show and make her evil acceptable?

(Note to reader: this is sarcasm).

Donald R. McClarey
Admin
Saturday, February 13, AD 2010 9:54am

God can even use the vacuous Oprah show for His own purposes.

Henry Karlson
Saturday, February 13, AD 2010 10:40am

Doesn’t stop the fact, Donald, that their presence on Oprah helped her make more money, and we know she is pro-abortion… so how come no one is condemning them but praising them for the very things they condemn the USCCB for?!

Donald R. McClarey
Admin
Saturday, February 13, AD 2010 10:49am

Maybe because Oprah has absolutely nothing to say about the laws written in this country, how the laws are enforced and which judges are picked to enforce the laws. Additionally the nuns weren’t going on the show to honor Oprah, or to express support for her, but to spread their message. Oprah does quite nicely financially without the nuns. The nuns got a nice bit of publicity by going on the show. Making use of a pro-abort entertainer’s show in order to spread the message of Christ strikes me as being in the “cunning as serpents” category.

Henry Karlson
Saturday, February 13, AD 2010 10:56am

“Maybe because Oprah has absolutely nothing to say about the laws written in this country, how the laws are enforced and which judges are picked to enforce the laws.”

While others say she is the one who got President Obama elected. And she has major influence over Obama. And she has major influence over her media.

“Additionally the nuns weren’t going on the show to honor Oprah, or to express support for her, but to spread their message.”

Same with the USCCB working with non-Catholic groups.

“Oprah does quite nicely financially without the nuns.”

So that excuses helping her make more money so she can push more pro-homosexual, pro-abortion themes in her media?

“Making use of a pro-abort entertainer’s show in order to spread the message of Christ strikes me as being in the ‘cunning as serpents’ category.”

It’s funny how it is “making use of…” and not “guilt by association” when people like a group.

Donald R. McClarey
Admin
Saturday, February 13, AD 2010 11:13am

“While others say she is the one who got President Obama elected.”

Some people also say that Obama is a great President Karlson. Fantasy statements are never to be taken seriously. A lousy economy, Bush fatigue and McCain being a lousy candidate are what got Obama elected in this frame of reality.

“Same with the USCCB working with non-Catholic groups.”

It is called shoveling money at pro-abort groups Karlson. Feel free to try again.

“So that excuses helping her make more money so she can push more pro-homosexual, pro-abortion themes in her media?”

They didn’t help her make money Karlson by appearing on her show. She would have made precisely the same amount of money whether they appeared or not.

“It’s funny how it is “making use of…” and not “guilt by association” when people like a group.”

No it’s called the nuns being smart enough to use Oprah for their purposes. The Bishops are dumb enough to allow their Left-wing staffers at the USCCB to allow Left-wing groups to use the Bishops and the money contributed by unsuspecting Catholics.

Henry Karlson
Saturday, February 13, AD 2010 11:32am

“It is called shoveling money at pro-abort groups Karlson. Feel free to try again.”

But God can use pro-aborts, as you just said. And so that’s why it is ok for the nuns to help Oprah get shoveled more money! Sheesh. Consistency. Not with you. Sophistry, that’s all you have.

DarwinCatholic
Saturday, February 13, AD 2010 11:47am

Henry,

When you try this “I will show how foolish your way of thinking is” tactics, you always end up with the egg on your own face because you don’t bother to actually understand the position of the people you’re trying to ridicule. Either do the work of understanding your opponents or just drop the tactic — you really don’t do yourself any credit with these dogged little “I’ll show you the implications of your thinking” sessions.

Donald R. McClarey
Admin
Saturday, February 13, AD 2010 11:55am

“But God can use pro-aborts, as you just said. And so that’s why it is ok for the nuns to help Oprah get shoveled more money!”

Once again Karlson Oprah would have received precisely the same amount of money whether the nuns were on her show or not. The nuns did not place any more coins in her pocket. This is a strawman of yours that is completely unconvincing.

Henry Karlson
Saturday, February 13, AD 2010 12:01pm

So Donald

Since Oprah would receive the same amount of money either way,it makes it all fine for them to be the ones to help her make it?

Donald R. McClarey
Admin
Saturday, February 13, AD 2010 12:03pm

She would have made exactly the same money Karlson if she had you on or Fifi the dancing beagle. The nuns used Oprah not the other way around.

Henry Karlson
Saturday, February 13, AD 2010 12:10pm

Actually, would she? The fact that this got many who do not normally watch Oprah to watch her means it makes her more money. But the fact is, even if you are correct, you didn’t answer my question. Why should it be fine for them to help her make money, and thereby, cooperate with the evil which will be done with that money they helped her generate?

Donald R. McClarey
Admin
Saturday, February 13, AD 2010 12:39pm

This really is not hard Karlson. Oprah makes precisely the same amount of money no matter who she has on. She is not a struggling host of a show trying to establish an audience. She has a huge audience and advertisers who pay her richly for commercial space on her show. She makes the same money no matter who she has. You will have to come up with some other red herring argument to argue that nuns appearing on Oprah is the same as the USCCB through the CHD funneling funds to pro-abort groups.

Marilyn Morris
Marilyn Morris
Sunday, February 14, AD 2010 6:40pm

I agree with the fact that Oprah made no more money than she would have with a dog and pony show.
I am an RN and I worked for a year in a convent and got to know a large group of the Sisters. I am also Catholic, as a convert in my sixties, before I worked at the Convent! They are usually incredibly quietly happy and work diligently to help others in many ways, the primary way in prayer, By renouncing the world in favor of Jesus when they become Sisters they do not think about money in their own existence. My guess would be that they went on that show to preach the name of Jesus as Savior, and no other reason as the Sisters of the Convent that I love would do! Nearly all of the Sisters I know worked most of their lives in poor areas of the southwest and California teaching school for indigent families children. If you do not know what it means to be a Sister you might do well to not comment about their motives!

Henry Karlson
Sunday, February 14, AD 2010 6:46pm

Marilyn

I don’t think you get the point of my comments. I am not criticizing the sisters, but applying the kind of logic which is used by some around here to judge the USCCB and show how it would also apply to those who do similar things and yet they applaud.

Todd
Sunday, February 14, AD 2010 9:13pm

Henry points out the problems in logic when folks are selective in their criticism of association with evil. Oprah ok, but Jenkins not. Nixon ok, but Obama not. The dictatorship of relativism is wearing its tan uniforms on this site.

If it didn’t sting on some level, you wouldn’t have strung out this thread into the teens. The fact that you have to continually justify it is telling. See if Michael Voris or Ray Arroyo can take your back on this.

The bloggers here are playing to the home crowd, but they’re not doing their pro-life viewpoints, their conservative bona fides, or Catholicism any favors.

Personally, I don’t see any problem with the nuns appearing on Oprah. Good for all of them.

Donald R. McClarey
Admin
Sunday, February 14, AD 2010 9:16pm

Karlson makes a nonsense argument and Todd supports it. Business as usual for the usual suspects.

Tito Edwards
Monday, February 15, AD 2010 2:02am

Marilyn,

Disregard the comments by Henry K. and Todd.

They want to destroy what is good for political points.

Todd
Monday, February 15, AD 2010 6:45am

It’s a tough gig to have to prop up poor arguments, but you guys seem to have a good time doing so. Too bad we can’t take this discussion to Oprah or EWTN. They’re missing all the fun.

Donald R. McClarey
Admin
Monday, February 15, AD 2010 6:51am

Todd let us know when you have an actual argument to contribute rather than just a snide attitute.

Michael
Michael
Monday, February 22, AD 2010 1:39pm

I think we need to say that the Sisters were invited to be on this Show, and it is not their intention to support Oprah.

I think the best thing to conclude is that the little bit they did in harm is by far outweighed in the good which I no doubt occurred and will occur because of this encounter. I’m not trying to say this as a consequentialist.

I say this because Oprah is not evil incarnate, she may be missinformed upon a great many subjects, but maybe she and her viewers can be converted. That is always the hope, appearing on a show of hers does not always show support for the views that Oprah has.

I don’t know if you can link Oprah’s views to the Show in general. Any television program will have views that they support that will be in conflict with the faith. As long as you do not support or even make it known that you don’t support those views when you appear upon the said show I think it violates.

We must engage culture in any case, show our disapproval and start to change it from the inside out. We are counter cultural and Christ will do the work, but we must engage in the debate and what better place then at the pinnacle of where it is seen. Silence is not an issue!

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Friday, February 26, AD 2010 12:04am

[…] Nuns Taught Oprah to Pray the Rosary Following up on the post of the orthodox, devout, and faithful Dominican nuns making an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show […]

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Friday, February 26, AD 2010 12:04am

[…] Nuns Taught Oprah to Pray the Rosary Following up on the post of the orthodox, devout, and faithful Dominican nuns making an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey show […]

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Sunday, July 25, AD 2010 12:04am

[…] may remember these nuns from their appearance on the Oprah Show earlier this year in February and how they dazzled the audience as well as Oprah Winfrey herself […]

Jason
Jason
Wednesday, July 28, AD 2010 2:07pm

I enjoyed watching these videos then unfortunately went to read the comments. The devil has his shills everywhere.

God bless these wonderful sisters. I hope they touched many in Oprah’s audience who have been spoon fed untold amounts of new age nonsense and whatever else appears on that show.

trackback
Wednesday, July 28, AD 2010 2:41pm

[…] Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharistin Ann Arbor, Michigan. You may remember these nuns from their appearance on the Oprah Show earlier this year in February and how they dazzled the audience as well as Oprah Winfrey herself […]

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