A virtual pilgrimage in Sister Dorothy Stang’s hometown of Dayton, Ohio, highlights her early years and experiences that shaped her faith. A relic of Sister Dorothy, a member of Congregation of Notre Dame de Namur, was presented by the Sisters for permanent installation and display at the Sanctuary of New Martyrs in Rome, Italy, on January 10, 2025.
Stopping at eight locations, Sister Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN – A Pilgrimage of Hope and Courage shares the history of Stang’s life and includes stations at historic markers, her childhood home, her education at former Julienne High School site, her home church and other significant locations.
To enjoy the tour, pilgrims can visit the Ohio Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur website and experience it virtually or use the resources for a self-guided day in Dayton. All resource materials are available at sndohio.org.
“Putting together this pilgrimage was a labor of love,” says Teresa Phillips, director of the Ohio Office of Justice, Peace and Care of Creation for Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. “We are fortunate that so many of the historic sites related to Dorothy’s life are available for us to visit, reflect on and enjoy. On the tour, we feel her presence and the impact of her life and legacy.”
The pilgrimage was jointly developed by Marianist Environmental Education Center, Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School and Ohio Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur to honor the 20th anniversary of Stang’s martyrdom in Brazil. In 2005, Stang was confronted by assassins who were hired to end her work to protect the rainforest and the small communities that live there. With Dorothy out of the way, her enemies, the wealthy ranchers and loggers of the Amazon, planned to exploit the land’s resources for their own gain.
PILGRIMAGE SITE EXAMPLE:
St. Rita Church - Sister Dorothy’s Childhood Parish.
Sister Dorothy grew up in St. Rita Parish and visited there on her trips home. While the original little white church is long gone, the parish community was dear to her heart. In 1998, she gave a talk in the current church where she reminded those present to take seriously the over-consumption that has become so normal in our society.
The reflection could be done outside the church if your time is limited. Otherwise, we encourage you to arrange for access to the church through Matt Ruttle ([email protected]). There is a grey stone holy water font from the original St. Rita Church which Dorothy would have used. Arrangements can be made to view two relics - some of the blood-soaked soil taken from the place she lay after her martyrdom and a report card from her grade school days. St. Rita provides a peaceful space to pray, reflect and feel Sister Dorothy’s presence. We encourage pilgrims to spend time in the peace and quiet it affords.