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Daughters of Mary, Mother of Our Savior

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Congregation of the Daughters of Mary, Mother of Our Savior
Formation1984; 41 years ago (1984)
FounderRev. Clarence Kelly
Founded atRound Top, New York
Type
HeadquartersSt. Joseph's Novitiate
Location
Members89 (2019)
Websitewww.daughtersofmary.net Edit this at Wikidata

The Daughters of Mary, Mother of Our Savior are a congregation of Traditional Catholic religious sisters, founded in 1984 by Rev. Clarence Kelly. Their convents and missions are not recognized by the Vatican or their local archdioceses, however, they still refer to themselves as Roman Catholics.

The congregation and motherhouse are based out of St. Joseph's Novitiate in Round Top, New York, with additional convents in Melville, New York and White Bear Lake, Minnesota. As Traditional Catholics, the congregation does not adhere to the modern practices of the Second Vatican Council. They are closely associated with the Society of Saint Pius V, a society of priests which still perform traditional Tridentine Mass, also co-founded by Rev. Kelly. Outside of their convents, the congregation maintains a network of missions, including schools and churches, which promote Traditional Catholicism. They also have released music albums of traditional Catholic music and Gregorian chants.

The congregation has received mixed reception in the commentary made about them, with positive feedback revolving around good student behavior at their St. Anne's Chapel and Academy location, and negative feedback from some individuals' perception of the group as a cult, a characterization they firmly deny despite some evidence showing otherwise. The congregation has also been the subject of news coverage for a 1988 alleged kidnapping case, in which a sister was taken from a convent by her family, and for a 2009 fraud lawsuit they filed over the sale of a valuable artwork. The lawsuit was later lost, leading the congregation to pay damages for defamation.

Structure

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The Daughters of Mary are a small, semi-contemplative congregation which practices Traditional Catholicism, specifically, the rules of the Catholic Church before the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) in 1962.[1][2] They were founded by Traditional Catholic priest Rev. Clarence Kelly, who did not have the canonical authority to establish a religious congregation.[3] As such, the congregation has no canonical status in the Roman Catholic Church,[3] and is not recognized by the Vatican or their local archdioceses.[1] Nonetheless, the congregation refers to themself as Roman Catholic.[1][4] They are closely associated with the Society of Saint Pius V, a group of priests who still perform traditional Tridentine Mass.[2] This society of priests was led by Rev. Clarence Kelly, the same person who founded the congregation.[5] Kelly believed the direction the Traditionalist Catholic Church was being led by excommunicated-French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre was too liberal.[5]

The congregation is based out of St. Joseph's Novitiate in Round Top, New York,[5] with the location including the congregation's motherhouse,[6] with additional convents located nationally in Melville, New York on Long Island,[7] and St. Anne's Chapel and Academy in White Bear Lake, Minnesota.[2] The congregation considers themselves to be following true Roman Catholicism,[2][6] and likewise doesn't prefer the word "schism" to describe their separation from the modern-day Vatican, despite the word being technically accurate.[4] The congregation members are "sisters", not "nuns", as they are not cloistered.[4]

Apostolate and works

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The congregation defines themselves by their act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, for which prayers of thanks are offered for at least one hour each day.[2] Inside of their convents, the day begins at 6 am with singing and chanting of the Liturgy of the Hours each morning,[5] and a compline consisting of prayers and Psalms nightly.[1] The congregation often partakes in prayer and reflection, studying, and visiting the sick, alongside recreation including board games, cards, chores, sports, and walks.[2][5] The sisters are also to remain in full religious habit at all times, even when away from the convent shopping or partaking more extreme recreation like motorboating.[2] The purpose of this has been stated to draw attention to them and their cause, as well penance for what they see as immodesty of the modern day.[2] At least in 1988, the sisters also observed silence during meals and were to see their families only four times a year, which was traditional for pre-Vatican II convents.[5][6]

Outside of their convents, the congregation's primary responsibilities revolve around maintaining their network of missions including churches and schools.[6] These missions include: a church named St. Gertrude's in Sharonville, Ohio alongside a school named St. Gertrude's Academy, a church and rectory in Oyster Bay, New York, a large building which houses some of the sisters who work as teachers in East Meadow, New York, and a grades 1–12 school centered around the principles of the Society of Saint Pius V in Wantagh, New York.[6] the congregation also maintains smaller and more makeshift missions including: preforming a Tridentine Mass at the Warwick New York Hotel in midtown Manhattan each Sunday.[6] Below the three convents of the congregation are described.

St. Joseph's Novitiate

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The St. Joseph's Novitiate location in Round Top, New York, is the congregation's first location, and contains the main motherhouse of the congregation.[6] Converted from a rundown 14 acres (5.7 ha) resort, the sisters originally lived in a 100-year-old guest house on the site, but worshipped at a newly-built church made out of cedar wood.[5] In 1988, the location consisted of the church and three wooden buildings, one of which housed Rev. Clarence Kelly and the other two the convent.[6] Several more wooden buildings were under construction at this time to serve as new housing for the convent, and a graveyard.[6]

Long Island convent

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The congregation's second location in Melville, New York,[7] opened no later than 1988.[6] It primarily involves itself in maintaining their nearby network of mission locations described above, possibly including: the Society of Saint Pius V grades 1–12 school in Wantagh, the church and rectory in Oyster Bay, and the houses for sisters in East Meadow, all in Nassau County, Long Island.[6] The Long Island convent was also the one involved in the Daughters of Mary, Mother of Our Savior v. LaSalle lawsuit.[8]

St. Anne's Chapel and Academy

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The congregation has a church and school at St. Anne's Chapel and Academy in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, which consists of a number of plain gray buildings, one of which houses a small grades 1–12 school building.[1] The school, which is taught by the sisters of the congregation, includes classes on topics such as religion, church history, French, and physics.[1] The school participates in a number of extracurriculars including regular chores[4] and a yearly spring concert, which in the past has included non-Catholic music from plays like The Sound of Music and The Jungle Book.[1] On the schools playground during recess, the sisters also participate in games such as basketball dodgeball, jump rope, soccer, tennis, and volleyball, the sight of which has been known to slow traffic on County Road E. which overlooks the playground.[2][4] Guidelines for the students generally forbid them from watching P-13 and R-rated movies, vulgar music, and, at least during 2006, using the internet without a parent.[2] The school requires school uniforms.[1] In 2006, the school consisted of 60 students and seven sisters,[1] with an annual tuition payment of US$900 to $1,300.[4] As for the chapel, a daily mass in Latin is held in which the schoolchildren are required to attend.[4] The pews are separated by gender, and often include confession afterwards.[4] As is the congregation as a whole, the church is not recognized by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, or listed on their registries.[4]

History

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Total congregation members
YearPop.±% p.a.
1988 21—    
2006 49+4.82%
2016 68+3.33%
2019 86+8.14%

The congregation was founded in 1984 by Rev. Clarence Kelly after he purchased a14 acres (5.7 ha) rundown resort in the Catskill Mountains for $99,000, which became the St. Joseph's Novitiate.[5] The decision to make a congregation was made by Rev. Kelly after he and his fellow priest colleagues were expulsed from the Society of St. Pius X, and lacked the ordinary jurisdiction needed to make a legally-recognized religious congregation.[3] The congregation was created in a way where the congregation, its apostolate, and its rules were to be decided by Rev. Kelly alone with no oversight from his fellow priest colleagues starting the congregation with him, much to their dismay.[3][9] In 1988, four years after being founded, the congregation had a total of 21 members consisting of nine sisters and 12 priests associated with the Society of Saint Pius V.[6] During this time, they maintained a network of 50 missions: including 20 churches and five school buildings.[6] Their most successful missions were their school in Wantagh which maintained a total of 70 students, and their church and academy in Sharonville which averaged 800 worshipers on Sundays.[6] In 2006, the total number of members increased to 49 members consisting of sisters and postulates.[2] This increased again in 2016 to 68 members,[10] and again in 2019 to 86 members.[11]

Alleged kidnapping of Sister Mary Cecelia

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On June 26, 1988, 22-year-old Sister Mary Cecelia of the congregation, previously Mary Sue Greve, was allegedly kidnapped by her family while on a walk with two other sisters.[5][12] The incident took place just outside the congregation's main St. Joseph's Novitiate location, and was carried out by Cecelia's father, two brothers, and another man, who forced her into their car and drove away.[5] Witnesses reported that she was screaming and kicking her legs out of the window as the car drove away.[12] A sister from the congregation characterized the incident as violent, saying that Sister Mary Cecelia's head was banged on the car door several times while being put in the vehicle.[12] The incident made national news, and was quickly investigated by the New York State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), who located her within a few days back in her previous home in Cincinnati, Ohio.[5] The incident had been planned by the sister's mother, Susan Greve, claiming she didn't want to 'lose' her only daughter to a convent, after previously losing one to a stillbirth.[12][13] While the mother had originally introduced Sister Cecelia to the Society of Saint Pius V, she claimed her daughter did not have a vocation and was never happy in the congregation,[5] supported by the decision of Sister Mary Cecelia who reportedly had decided to leave the congregation two weeks before the incident, at the time unbeknownst to her family.[6] This argument was challenged by the congregation's head Rev. Clarence Kelly, who claimed Sister Cecelia had already spent nearly two years there, and had promised before God she knew she was free to leave at any time.[5]

The parent's plan was ultimately successful, however, as after returning home, the sister had renounced her pledge to the congregation and went back to using her given name.[5] A few days later, Greve appeared on national television on The Phil Donahue Show to discuss the incident, where she claimed a "very nice woman" her family brought to her after the kidnapping had convinced her the advice and pressure she received in the congregation was wrong.[5] The incident was credited by The New York Times as having revived the debate over the responsibility of parents over their children's freedom.[5] The police and FBI's decision to end their investigation after locating the sister was argued by Rev. Clarence Kelly as ignoring a "heinous crime" and creating "a dangerous precedent".[5][12]

Daughters of Mary, Mother of Our Savior v. LaSalle

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Mary, mother of Jesus, standing in clouds with the Infant Jesus surrounded by angels
Notre Dame des Anges by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1889.

In February 2009, the congregation filed a lawsuit in the New York Supreme Court against Albany, New York-based art appraiser, Mark LaSalle, and Santa Fe, New Mexico-based art dealer, Mark Zaplin, for fraud over the sale of an artwork which the congregation sold to them.[8][14] The congregation claimed the two colluded to defraud them of $1.75 million they believed they could have obtained through the sale of Notre Dame des Anges, an 1889 artwork by William-Adolphe Bouguereau that depicts Mary, mother of Jesus, standing in clouds with the Infant Jesus surrounded by angels.[8][14] Represented by New York City attorney Bruce Goldstone, the congregation claimed in their lawsuit the two had committed fraud "intentionally", "deliberately", and "maliciously" against them.[8]

The artwork, which had been considered "lost" as it had not been seen publicly since the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, was purchased by the Long Island convent in 2002 from a parishioner, who then transferred the piece to the motherhouse St. Joseph's Novitiate.[8][14] It was hung in a hallway here until a sister eventually noticed it, and believing it was valuable, hired LaSalle to appraise it in 2004.[8] LeSalle appraised the piece, which had a number of issues including: overpainting, bubbling paint, a cracked canvas, and a bad frame, as worth between $150–250,000 without restoration, though could be worth more with.[8] Art dealer Paul Dumont, who specialized in finding favorable art deals and notifying gallery owners, contacted Zaplin who requested to buy the piece.[8] After receiving some restoration, Zaplin, who never met with an of the sisters personally in the transaction, made a bid of $350,000 for the piece. After a counteroffer of $450,000, Zaplin accepted and the piece was sold in 2006.[8] Zaplin made additional restorations to the painting and bought a $40,000 frame for it, with the intention to resell the piece for a profit.[8]

Grounds for the lawsuit originated in 2007 after Zaplin arranged to have the painting displayed at the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, and sold the painting for $2.15 million through a Sotheby's in Texas, making $1.75 million in profit.[8] Zaplin defended the sale by stating the lawsuit was made out of seller's remorse and that the sisters never had to sell the painting to him, noting he was just "very lucky" in the resell.[8] Goldstone argued LaSalle had knowingly made a "lowball" appraisal to make a significant return with Zaplin, supported by an affidavit made by Dumont in court who quoted LaSalle as stating "we could 'screw' the sisters and make a handsome profit".[8] Additionally, Zaplin was involved in an unrelated art lawsuit during the same time alleging copyright violations.[15] Believing LaSalle knew the piece was worth between $1.5–1.8 million before restorations, the sisters likewise sought the $1.75 million in profit Zaplin made from the resell, as well as $51 million in punitive damages.[8][14] The day of the trial in January 2012, however, the jury found LaSalle and Zaplin not guilty of fraud after less than a day of deliberation.[16] The jury additionally awarded LaSalle and Zaplin a total of $575,000 in damages and defamation.[17]

Reception

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A portrait photo of an older man with gray hair and glasses wearing clerical clothing sitting in a chair
Rev. Anthony Cekada, an outspoken critic of the congregation under the leadership of its founder Rev. Clarence Kelly

Reception of the congregation is mixed. Positive feedback has been given regarding the good behavior and politeness of students attending St. Anne's Chapel and Academy, as well as its emphasis on faith.[4] While not its main purpose, it's also not uncommon for female students attending the academy to desire joining the congregation as sisters themselves, for which they are "encouraged to pray and ponder on it".[2] Parents of many of the sisters in the congregation have also supported their daughters decision to join.[13] Conversely, Chancellor of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre Rev. John Alesandro, stated "I don't agree with them, and neither do 999,900,000 other Catholics. There are a billion Catholics in the world, and maybe 100,000 followers of [Traditional Catholicism]".[13] He further remarked the congregation "can call themselves whatever they want, traditionalists or whatever, but they are not the Catholic Church".[6] Priest colleague of Rev. Kelly during the founding of the congregation Rev. Anthony Cekada, later dissociated with Rev. Kelly, and went further to refer to the congregation as a "cult".[3] His reasons for doing so revolved around Rev. Kelly's sole control of the congregation without oversight from his priest colleagues (including himself), guilt and fear tactics used to maintain obedience, and beliefs Rev. Cekada claims Rev. Kelly pressured on the congregation: which included labeling advice from outside priests as unreliable, telling potential sisters they faced possible damnation if they refused to join, portraying departure from the organization as ingratitude to the Sacred Heart, and threatening lawsuits and denunciations for other congregations if they tried to accept or give the eucharist to a sister who had left the congregation, at least while the congregation had Rev. Kelly as its head.[3]

Further mixed reception has come the congregation's perception in the news. After the 1988 kidnapping incident: Greve's mother, who was responsible for her kidnapping from the congregation, also called the group a "cult" which was a "splinter of a splinter group" (referring to the Society of Saint Pius V) where her daughter had "lost her free will".[5][6] Rev. Clarence Kelly responded by stating "[the family] took her by force and brought in a woman who was paid a lot of money to brainwash her. If there's anything cultish about it, it's the way the Greves acted".[5] Sister Mary Teresa of the congregation said she received a number of worried calls from relatives following the incident, as "you don't expect to hear about this place nationwide", but reassured that "I know the priest, I know the sisters, I know they are great people".[13] Sister Mary Teresa's father further remarked "I let my children choose their own life. I don't see it as a cult at all. Cults hold people captive. We talked to our daughter. She feels she has a calling, I respect that. If I thought that this was a cult for a moment, I'd be down here myself to take her out".[13] Outside of the kidnapping incident, the congregation has remained in the public view largely through appearances in a number of photographs on the sides on newspapers.[7][18][19] One of which, taken in 2004 by photographer for The Cincinnati Enquirer Sarah Conard, depicted the nuns holding each others habits while ice skating at the Northern Kentucky Ice Center.[20][21] The photograph went on to win the Associated Press Managing Editors Association's national "Showcase Photo" of the month, a number of trade awards,[20] and was highlighted during the The Cincinnati Enquirer's 175th anniversary in 2017.[21]

Music

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"Good holy songs [are important], because it is said 'He who sings once prays twice.'"

Sister Maria Goretti, May 2006 interview with Minnesota Star Tribune[2]

As of 2025, the congregation has released ten albums, beginning with Rejoice in 1994, and their most recent being Cor Jesu in 2018.[22][23] In their music, the congregation emphasizes traditional Catholic music and Gregorian chants.[2] The albums Rejoice and A Traditional Christmas were highlighted by The Cincinnati Enquirer during Christmas time for their season-related tracks.[20] Their music has been used in modern media, with the song "Ave Maris Stella" being used at the end of season 11 episode 9 of The X-Files in a scene taking place at a church.[24]

Discography of the Daughters of Mary, Mother of Our Savior
Album Release date # songs Album length Ref(s).
Rejoice 1994 20 1 hour, 1 minute [25]
De Profundis December 8, 1995 20 1 hour, 1 minute [23]
Gregorian Hymns December 8, 1995 20 1 hour, 5 minutes [23]
Angelic Voices 1996 19 58 minutes, 5 seconds [26]
I Need Thee February 2, 1998 21 1 hour, 2 minutes [23]
Mary of Graces February 2, 1998 20 1 hour, 2 minutes [23]
A Traditional Christmas November 1, 2001 14 1 hour, 7 minutes [23]
A Day in the Cloister December 1, 2010 28 1 hour, 14 minutes [23]
Caritas October 27, 2014 17 48 minutes, 20 seconds [23]
Cor Jesu November 17, 2018 14 56 minutes, 16 seconds [23]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Miller, Pamela; Greener, Stormi (May 27, 2006). "Joyful in their habits". Minnesota Star Tribune. Vol. 25, no. 53. Minneapolis, Minnesota. p. E12. Retrieved May 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Miller, Pamela; Greener, Stormi (May 27, 2006). "Joyful in their habits". Minnesota Star Tribune. Vol. 25, no. 53. Minneapolis, Minnesota. p. E11. Retrieved May 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Cekada, Anthony (July 4, 2019). "Spiritual Cooties: The SSPV Sacramental Penalties after 30 Years". Quidlibet. Archived from the original on June 1, 2025. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Miller, Pamela; Greener, Stormi (May 27, 2006). "Joyful in their habits". Minnesota Star Tribune. Vol. 25, no. 53. Minneapolis, Minnesota. p. E10. Retrieved May 3, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Goldman, Ari L. (August 11, 1988). "A Fight Over an Ex-Nun's Mind and Soul". The New York Times. Round Top, New York. Archived from the original on May 25, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Mandell, Jonathan (July 11, 1988). "Inside the Covent". Newsday. Vol. 48, no. 310. New York, New York. p. 97. Retrieved May 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b c Dunn, John (December 22, 2009). "Snow around the East Coast | Long Island". York Daily Record. Vol. 213, no. 305. York, Pennsylvania. p. 7. Retrieved May 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Constable, Anne (February 21, 2009). "Seller's remorse or fraudulent transaction?". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Vol. 160, no. 52. Santa Fe, New Mexico. pp. A001, A005. Retrieved May 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Cekada, Anthony; Collins, Joseph F.; Ahern, Daniel B. (June 29, 1989). "June 29, 1989 Letter to Fr. Kelly". Quidlibet. Oyster Bay Cove, New York. Archived from the original on January 19, 2025. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  10. ^ "About Us". Daughters of Mary, Mother of Our Savior. 2016. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  11. ^ "About Us". Daughters of Mary, Mother of Our Savior. 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Nun kidnapped by family members". United Press International. June 27, 1988. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  13. ^ a b c d e Mandell, Jonathan (July 11, 1988). "Inside the Covent". Newsday. Vol. 48, no. 310. New York, New York. p. 98. Retrieved May 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ a b c d Roberts, Kathaleen (February 20, 2009). "Nuns: Santa Fe Art Dealer Conned Us". Albuquerque Journal. Vol. 129, no. 51. Albuquerque, New Mexico. pp. 1, 2. Retrieved May 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Jadrnak, Jackie (January 9, 2012). "SF gallery loses fight over woodcut prints". Albuquerque Journal. Vol. 132, no. 9. Albuquerque, New Mexico. p. 45. Retrieved May 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Constable, Anne (January 10, 2012). "N.Y. jury rejects nuns' claims against Santa Fe gallery owner". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  17. ^ Oswald, Mark (January 11, 2012). "Gallery Owner Didn't Cheat Nuns". Albuquerque Journal. Archived from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  18. ^ Saman, Moises (October 12, 2006). "A brisk walk, a good habit". Newsday. Vol. 67, no. 40. New York, New York. p. 34. Retrieved May 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ Wark, Luke (July 22, 2014). "Nuns hope to fly on the Jet Express". Sandusky Register. Vol. 192, no. 115. Sandusky, Ohio. p. A9. Retrieved May 4, 2025 – via NewspaperArchive.
  20. ^ a b c Clark, Paul (November 26, 2006). "Skating nuns release Christmas albums". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Vol. 166, no. 231. Cincinnati, Ohio. p. D6. Retrieved May 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ a b Suess, Jeff (January 11, 2017). "Enquirer Throwback: Photos show everyday life". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on April 28, 2025. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
  22. ^ "Music". Daughters of Mary, Mother of Our Savior. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Daughters of Mary". Spotify. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  24. ^ "Season 11E9 · Nothing Lasts Forever". Tunefind. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  25. ^ "Rejoice". Amazon. January 14, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  26. ^ "Angelic Voices". Amazon. July 13, 2016. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  27. ^ Vance, Karen (July 8, 2003). "Church finds traditions preserve reverence". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Vol. 163, no. 90. Cincinnati, Ohio. p. E13. Retrieved May 4, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
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