Sinsinawa Dominican Named to Historical Commission of the Order

SINSINAWA, WI -- March 31, 2008. The Dominican Order has named Sr. Mary Nona McGreal, OP (Sinsinawa) an honorary member of the Historical Commission of the Order. In a declaration signed by the Master of the Order, Fr. Carlos Azpiroz Costa, OP, Sr. Nona was recognized as "an historian of the highest caliber."

Sr. Nona is the first woman to be so honored in the Order as a member of the Historical Commission. In responding to the award Sr. Nona, said, " It has been a privilege to work with so many Dominicans about the history of the Family. It has been so fascinating, no matter which group you talk to-- there are so many wonderful stories and people who have proceeded us. We are so connected with the movement of the Church in the United States and of the Order."

The award was made through a letter February 19, 2008 from Fr. Marcio Couto, OP , Socius for Intellectual Life and Fr. Edward Ruane, OP (St. Albert) Vicar of the Master of the Order. In part, they cite the excellent work that Sr. Nona has done to further the cause of Beatification of Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli, founder of her community. But most importantly, "it is not only the high quality of work that you have produced, but the formation of a team of research historians that have supported and encouraged one another in this work of loving scholarship over many years and will do so into the future."

Sr. Nona McGreal initiated and spearheaded the project of writing the history of the Dominican Family in the USA through Project OPUS. In 2001, the first of three planned volumes of the history of the Dominican Order in the United States was published. Volume I Dominicans at Home in a Young Nation 1786 - 1865 is available through the McGreal Center.

Janet Welsh, OP, Interim Director of the McGreal Center, said, "Gratitude and joy filled my heart when news of Sr. Nona's appointment reached Dominican University. How fitting it is that Sr. Nona receives this prestigious honor as she celebrates 75 years of Dominican life. She exemplifies a life of assiduous and prayerful study, love of community, humility and good humor,It is a privilege to continue the work of Project OPUS as the place that bears Sr. Nona's name: The Nona McGreal Center for Dominican Historical Studies."

In 2006, through a collaboration between Project OPUS's sponsor, the Dominican Leadership Conference and Dominican University, the Sr. Mary Nona McGreal Center for Historical Studies was established at Dominican University.

The center promotes the research and writing of the history of the Dominican Family in the United States. Through the collection and preservation of historical documents, it facilitates opportunities for serious research relative to the Dominican family’s significance in the life of the Order of Preachers, the Church and the nation. Its offices are at Dominican University, River Forest, IL.