Sister Dorothy Ederer, OP
Jubilarian 2026 – 60 Years a Sister
Prayer Ministry
Pray for abused women and those suffering from drug abuse.
60th Jubilee Reflection
“I have called you by name and you are mine.” ~ Isaiah 43:1
I entered the convent with my sister, Jeanne. Mother Victor was the Prioress; followed by Sr. Aquinas Weber. This awesome woman sent me out to teach after my novitiate year.
For 13 years I taught junior high, in St. Charles, Dearborn Heights, and Chesaning. I was engaged as a Campus Minister for 25 years — Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo), University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), and Michigan State University (Lansing). Fr. Joseph F. Girzone, author of “Joshua: A Parable for Today” hired me as co-director of the Joshua Foundation in New York. There, at his urging, I started writing, authoring 185 books thus far. As a Chaplain for Holy Cross in Lansing, I walked with women in Rehab.
I traveled with a delegation from Washington to work in India with Mother Teresa in the house of the dying and also worked in a Leper colony there. I was invited to China to help promote students coming to the US for college. There, I befriended a top Chinese diplomat, who eventually converted to Catholicism. Today I am her Godmother.
Today, I am an international speaker presenting, and leading retreats and missions. I serve on this board of the Joshua Foundation and on the committee for the Michigan Catholic Conference.
A Selection of My Books
- The Spirituality of the Butterfly
- Meeting Jesus
- Miracles Today (Volume 2)
- She Could Not Say No to God: The Autobiography of Sr. Dorothy Ederer
- Scripture for Horse Lovers
- The Flame (Daily Devotional)
Visit my website for more books for adults, young adults, and children.
Podcasts
50th Jubilee Reflection
“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire!” ~ St. Catherine of Siena
If it wasn’t for my sister Jeanne, who inspired me to enter religious life, I would not be celebrating more than 50 years of religious life. I will always be grateful to her for seeing in me things I was not aware of. My life has been one wonderful adventure after another. I am thankful for all the people who have supported me and challenged me to use my gifts and talents. I am who I am today because people believed in me and encouraged me to become all that God has called me to be.
I was born in Saginaw, Michigan. There are seven children in our family, five girls and two boys. I have a brother who is a priest.
My ministry began in St. Charles, Michigan as a 5th and 6th grade teacher and then principal for the second year, while teaching. My third year I went to Our Lady of Grace in Dearborn Heights, Michigan to teach 8th graders, was a Cheerleading coach and liturgist. Seven years later I went on to Chesaning, Michigan to be a liturgist and teach 8th graders.
A phone call one morning after prayers led me to move to St. Thomas More Student Parish in Kalamazoo, Michigan to work as a campus minister with Fr. John Grathwohl for 13 years! It was one of my greatest times in campus ministry.
I received a phone call from Fr. Joseph F. Girzone, the author of the “Joshua” books, to work for the Joshua Foundation in New York preaching Jesus’ message all over the world. I met people and accomplished things I never dreamt I could. After nine years I was offered a position as campus minister at St. Mary’s student parish in Ann Arbor, for the University of Michigan. After eight years, I was invited to be the Director of campus ministry at St. John Student parish serving Michigan State University. My 24 years as a campus minister has been most fulfilling!
Currently I am writing books, counseling, giving talks and retreats. As I reflect on my life as a Dominican, these 50 years of serving Jesus have brought forth gifts in me I never knew I had. For this I will always be grateful.
