St. Cloud native Mary Wilder, formerly of St. Michael Parish in St. Cloud, professed perpetual (final) vows as a Dominican sister July 25 at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville, Tennessee.
Taking the name Sister Anne Thérèse, she was among 13 women who professed perpetual vows with The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville (Nashville Dominicans) at a Mass that day with Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City.
Two priests of the Diocese of St. Cloud, Fathers Gregory Mastey and Scott Pogatchnik, were among those who concelebrated. Dominican Mother Ann Marie Karlovic, prioress general, received the sisters’ vows during the Rite of Perpetual Profession.
(Photo by Rick Musacchio / For The Visitor)
Nikki Walz, director of faith formation at St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Augustine Church in St. Cloud, is a friend of Sister Anne Thérèse and attended the ceremony.
She and Sister Anne Thérèse first met when they were in elementary school but didn’t become friends until they took a vocational discernment trip together in 10th grade. One of their stops was a visit with the Nashville Dominicans.
“It was the most joyful place ever,” Walz said. “Its simplicity and authenticity were so captivating. The sisters just radiate beauty and joy. That captivated both of us.”
After graduation in 2010, Sister Anne Thérèse left for Nashville. Two years later, she professed her simple vows, which Walz also attended.
“The sisters making their profession write their vows by hand, sign it on the altar and when the sister dies, they roll them up and place it in her hand,” Walz said. ‘Hearing her say in her vows ‘for all of my life’ really got to me. It’s really exciting after seeing her whole journey and how much she’s grown. It has just amplified the beauty and joy she’s always had.”
Sister Anne Thérèse is the daughter of Dave and Cari Wilder, parishioners of St. Michael. Following her profession, she plans to take up teaching duties.
Cards may be sent to: Sister Anne Thérèse Wilder, O.P., Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, 801 Dominican Drive, Nashville, TN 37228.