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Nonviolence expert leads Summer Retreat for Ursuline Sisters

The Summer Retreat for the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph brought renowned nonviolence expert Marie Dennis to Maple Mount, leading a weeklong discussion titled “In Pursuit of Peace: The Prophecy of Nonviolence.”

Dennis is senior director of the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative, a program of Pax Christi International, where she was co-director from 2007-19. She worked for Maryknoll Missioners for 23 years, has published seven books, and in 2016 was named National Catholic Reporter’s Person of the Year.

Dennis, a laywoman who lives in the Assisi Community in Washington, D.C. – where Sister Dianna Ortiz lived – calls nonviolence “a creative power, a pervasive energy, a fundamental principle that imitates Jesus’ way of life.” The July 16-21 retreat aims to explore nonviolence as a spirituality, a way of life and a global ethic.

Here are some photos from the July 17 afternoon session.

Marie Dennis tells the Sisters about all the training that students at the Virginia Military Academy get to prepare them for war. “Why can’t we be as dedicated to peace as we are to war?” she asked.
Marie Dennis showed a video of Pope Francis talking about the need for nonviolence.
From left, Sisters Marie Carol Cecil, Claudia Hayden, Mary Timothy Bland and Luisa Bickett watch the Pope Francis video.
Sisters gathered in the Saint Ursula meeting room for morning and afternoon retreat sessions.
Marie Dennis showed a series of drawings about nonviolence, and asked the Sisters to write down their impressions, and then share those that stood out. Sister Rebecca White said about this picture, “It would have to soften a heart.”
From left, Sisters Catherine Barber, Angela Fitzpatrick and Ann Patrice Cecil look at the drawings. Sister Angela said she was struck by one that said “White silence is violence. And I’m guilty.”
From left are Sisters Michael Ann Monaghan, Margaret Ann Aull, Pat Lynch and Amelia Stenger studying the drawings. Sister Amelia said she was struck by one about nonviolent schools. A longtime teacher and principal, Sister Amelia said to think of schools being violent is in such contrast to her time as a principal.
Sister Michele Morek, left, and Sister Rebecca White share a laugh during part of the presentation. Sister Michele said she was most affected by a drawing that said, “windmills not weapons.” She recalled a song lyric that asked what could be done with all the money that is spent on wars.
From left are Sisters Cecelia Joseph Olinger, Mary McDermott and Nancy Murphy. Sister Mary said she was affected by reading about a family who migrated to America, only to lose their child to violence.
From left, Sisters Laurita Spalding, Karla Kaelin and Grace Simpson listen to Marie Dennis, who said she tries to avoid “unthinking comments” that can trigger a trauma in victims of violence.
Sister Monica Seaton, right, helps Marie Dennis with her presentation.

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