Mission Advancement
& Opportunities
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Where the Story Begins:
The Leaders Who Formed Our Journey
For 150 years, the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose have been guided by eleven Prioresses General whose faith, vision, and courage shaped the congregation’s mission. Each woman responded to the needs of her time—strengthening community life, expanding ministries, and ensuring that the Dominican charism of veritas (truth) continued to flourish. From the congregation’s founding in 1876 to today, these leaders have nurtured the spiritual and communal life of the sisters, expanded Catholic education and pastoral ministries across the West, guided the congregation through historic change, including Vatican II and fostered global Dominican connections and new forms of service.
Mother Maria Pia Backes:
God must be our sole desire, our unique longing, our only goal and end.
We exist only for Him; we live only for Him; and we die only in order to possess Him eternally…Thus, dear children, my much-loved children, is the true life of a Bride of Christ.
God alone before work—God alone during our work—God alone after our work…We live only for Christ, our Love.
--Letter to the Sisters, October 1915
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As we celebrate 150 years, we honor these eleven Prioresses General with deep gratitude. Their legacy of truth, compassion, and courageous service continues to guide the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose into the future.
Mother Maria Pia Backes, OP
1st Prioress General
1876 – 1925
Mother Pius Marbaise, OP
4th Prioress General
1949 – 1961
Sister Renilde Cade, OP
7th Prioress General
1985 – 1995
Sister Rose Marie Hennessy, OP
8th Prioress General
1995 – 2005
Sister Gloria Marie Jones, OP
9th Prioress General
2005 – 2016
Sister Cecilia Canales, OP
10th Prioress General
2016 – 2022
Sister Celeste Marie Botello, OP
11th Prioress General
2022 - Present
Sister Mary Dominic Engelhard, OP
5th Prioress General
1961 – 1973
Sister Mary Thomas Lillis, OP
6th Prioress General
1973 – 1985
Mother Seraphina Maerz, OP
2nd Prioress General
1925 – 1937
Mother Bernardina Michel, OP
3rd Prioress General
1937 – 1949
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