Stories

In a meaningful gathering at the Notre Dame Mission Volunteer MidYear Conference, Sister Judi Clemens, SNDdeN shared her thoughts following a screening of "The Student, The Nun and the Amazon." Sister Judi recounted the powerful story of Sister Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN, whose life embodied the congregation's commitment to serving where others may not choose to go.

Students from Mount Notre Dame High School have crafted powerful reflections on justice, service, and faith in action as part of their application to attend the historic honoring of Sister Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN, at the Basilica di San Bartolomeo all'Isola in Rome. Sister Dorothy, who dedicated her life to serving alongside communities in Brazil who were made poor and advocating for the preservation of the Amazon rainforest, was martyred on February 12, 2005. As we count down to the 20th anniversary of her sacrifice, we will share one student essay each day, glimpsing through their young voices the future of our mission – hearts truly as wide as the world.

Students from Mount Notre Dame High School have crafted powerful reflections on justice, service, and faith in action as part of their application to attend the historic honoring of Sister Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN, at the Basilica di San Bartolomeo all'Isola in Rome. Sister Dorothy, who dedicated her life to serving alongside communities in Brazil who were made poor and advocating for the preservation of the Amazon rainforest, was martyred on February 12, 2005. As we count down to the 20th anniversary of her sacrifice, we will share one student essay each day, glimpsing through their young voices the future of our mission – hearts truly as wide as the world.

From the Global Sisters Report: Sister Dorothy Stang's relics honored at Rome's new martyrs' shrine, commemorating the Notre Dame de Namur sister's dedication to Amazon conservation and social justice. Her 20-year legacy of defending the poor and the environment continues to inspire climate action and solidarity.

U.S. Sister Dorothy Stang, a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur from Dayton, Ohio, became the first woman honored among the "new martyrs of the Americas" at Rome's Basilica of St. Bartholomew on January 10, 2025. Sister Stang, killed in the Amazon in 2005 while advocating for land rights for people who are poor and sustainable development, had her relics placed alongside those of St. Oscar Romero. The ceremony included family and congregation leadership, who are now considering opening a sainthood cause for Sister Stang after initially focusing resources on continuing her work in Brazil, as reported by Catholic News Service, January 13, 2025.

We invite you to read the Vatican News article published on January 11, 2025, highlighting Sister Dorothy Stang's inclusion as the first U.S. woman in the memorial for modern martyrs. The ceremony, hosted by the Community of Sant'Egidio in Rome, honors those who, like Sr. Dorothy, have given their lives to serve God's people.

On January 10, 2025, the Basilica di San Bartolomeo all'Isola witnessed a profound moment as Sister Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN, was honored as a modern martyr. The Community of Sant'Egidio organized this meaningful ceremony to celebrate her extraordinary witness to God's goodness. Her legacy continues to inspire our mission of education, justice, and care for creation. View the recording here.

Recording of the symposium exploring women religious in climate action, featuring Sister Dorothy Stang's enduring legacy in ecological justice. Distinguished speakers from the Pontifical Gregorian University and global religious communities discuss Catholic social teaching, environmental stewardship, and faith-based climate advocacy. Concludes with historic Vespers service installing Sr. Dorothy's relic at Basilica San Bartolomeo.

In anticipation of the public ceremony to honor Sister Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN, as a modern martyr in Rome, @WDTN interviewed a student and teacher from Mount Notre Dame High School who traveled to Rome to attend the ceremony. View the ceremony recording on our website: https://bit.ly/DS-RomeCeremony

Sister Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN, will make history today (January 10, 2025) as the fir...