About Sister Dorothy Stang

Sister Dorothy Picture

Sister Dorothy, 73, was born in Dayton, Ohio, one of nine children. She was raised on a farm in a traditional Catholic family. She entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur community in 1948 and professed final vows in 1956. From 1951 to 1966 she taught elementary classes at St. Victor School in Calumet City, IL; St. Alexander School in Villa Park, IL; and Most Holy Trinity School in Phoenix, AZ. She began her ministry in Brazil in 1966, in Coroata in the state of Maranhao.

A citizen of Brazil and the United States, Sister Dorothy worked with the Pastoral Land Commission, an organization of the Catholic Church that fights for the rights of rural workers and peasants, and defends land reforms in Brazil. Her death, on February 12, 2005, came less than a week after meeting with the country's human rights officials about threats to local farmers from loggers and landowners.

Before her murder, Sister Dorothy was named "Woman of the Year" by the state of Para for her work in the Amazon region. She also received the Humanitarian of the Year award from the Brazilian Bar Association for her work helping the local rural workers.

Since her death, Sister Dorothy has been widely honored for her life and work by the United States Congress and by a number of colleges and universities across the United States. She was posthumously awarded the 2008 United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights. Books, movies, documentaries and an opera have been developed about her. She has also been formally recognized by the Vatican as a modern day martyr.

Dorothy Stang General Resource Contact

Sister Judi Clemens, SNDdeN (Cincinnati, OH)

  • Presentation: Sharing my life with Dorothy Stang in Brazil and how I remember her today, depending on what the audience desires.
  • Description: Dorothy Stang was a woman of faith on a mission and to know her was to know her mission.
  • Contact Information: 513-827-7455

Video Resources (To view more videos of Sister Dorothy Stang and her legacy, view our Youtube Channel). 

Witness to Justice

Amazonia, Dorothy Stang's Struggle by Net for God

Interview with Sam Clements, the producer of The Student, the Nun, and the Amazon, Part 1 to 5.
 

Dorothy Stang Legacy Continues...

My Faith Sustains Me

September 6, 2023

My Faith Sustains Me. Sister Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN, 1931-2005. A disciple of Jesus and daughter of Julie: Martyred for the sake of justice.

This booklet brings us the reflections of the people who treasure the blessedness of Sister Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN. May these reflections lead us to breathe in "vivid air," signed with the memory of one who was "truly great." May we be blessed by the memory of Sister Dorothy Stang.

Picture of Sister Judi Clemens, SNDdeN with Tabitha Mueller, at Mount Notre Dame High School

We celebrate with Tabitha Mueller, the winner of the 2023 Spirit of Sister Dorothy Stang Award from Mount Notre Dame High School, granted by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

Sister Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN is standing next to a man with a hat and orange shirt in the jungle

On this Laudato Si' week, we are happy to share this book with anyone who would like to read "Angel in the Forest" Book, written by Sister Janet Mullen, SNDdeN.

This manifesto was written by Sister Jane Dwyer, SNDdeN, who is still in mission in Brazil, to commemorate the 18th years of the murder of Sister Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN

With you, we change lives

With the support of generous friends like you, we are able to continue our mission of educating and taking a stand with those in poverty— especially women and children.

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