Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia

The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia were founded by four religious sisters in Nashville, TN in 1860. Their early work included the establishment of St. Cecilia Academy in Nashville, and today are the sisters serve schools in 18 states, Canda, Europe, Australia, and the District of Columbia. The congregation has seen the beginning and end of the Civil War, the Great Depression, two World Wars, the Second Vatican Council, the introduction of the radio, television, and the internet. Through it all, God’s guidance has been ever present in their congregation, and their impact has sent and continues to send ripples through the hearts of thousands of young people. (NashvilleDominicans.org) 

On January 14, 1988, when Bishop Buechlein announced the Catholic Diocese of Memphis had purchased the Auburndale School, he knew the order of religious sisters capable of enlightening SBA with a strong spiritual and religious presence – the Dominicans of St. Cecilia. Bishop Buechlein, along with Mother Assumpta, O.P., appointed Memphis-born Sister Mary Samuel Handwerker, O.P., as the school’s first principal. Sr. Mary Samuel, O.P. was joined by Sr. Joseph Andrew, O.P. and the late Sr. Mary Ambrose, O.P. as our school’s first religious faculty/staff members. During the 1990-1996 school years, SBA was also blessed with the presence of Mother Assumpta, O.P., Sr. John Dominic, O.P., Sr. Mary Charles, O.P., and the late Sr. Mary Eileen, O.P. “the older” and Sr. Helen Marie, O.P. (SBAEagles.org).

In 2014, God blessed our school once again with the returned presence of the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, welcoming Sr. Rita Marie, Sr. Ann Thomas, Sr. Maria Sophia, Sr. Paulina, Sr. Mary Martin, Sr. Felicity, Sr. John Magdalene, Sr. Chiara, Sr. Cecilia Marie, Sr. Mary Gemma, Sr. Regina Ann, Sr. Madeline Rose, Sr. Maria Grace, Sr. Margaret Joseph, and Sr. Alma Marie to our school. In total, the 26 sisters who have served SBA as administrators, teachers, and student teachers have instilled our community with role models of faith, pillars of wisdom, and companions in mercy.  

For them, we are grateful and honored to call them a part of the SBA tradition.