Sister Rose Mary Belanger, OP

“You will show me the path of life, fullness of joy in your presence.”

~ Psalm 16

Time goes by so fast, and here I am celebrating 75 years as a Dominican Sister. I first saw Marywood in September of 1944. I was coming as an aspirant. The Sisters at St. Mary’s in Lake Leelanau had inspired me to be one of them. They were such beautiful women that I wanted to be both a teacher and a Sister. Now, I realize that the Lord was showing me the path of life that I should follow. I was an aspirant for four years. My brother teased me saying that it took me four years to do “boot camp”.

I began teaching in 1950 at St. Thomas. My teaching of sixty some years has been in several places in Michigan and also in New Mexico. I loved teaching, but being a principal – not so much.

I owe my family a great big thank you for all they did for me. I really missed the family when I first came. I felt like an orphan. But then I got to know the other girls and got involved in my studies. When I began teaching, I always felt that the Lord was directing me to that place and to do the best that I could there.

I appreciate all the Community has done for me – a good education along with many workshops and summer school. The Lands of Dominic tour will always stand out as something great for me.

I’m still working on the happiness forever part of that psalm.