elinorSr. Elinor GardnerNASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nine young women made their perpetual profession of the simple vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience as Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia Congregation in Nashville, Tennessee on July 24. Among those making final profession was Dominican Sr. Elinor Gardner, a former member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in the Diocese of Milwaukee.

The Mass for the Rite of Perpetual Religious Profession was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville. Bishop David Choby, Bishop of Nashville, Tenn., was the principal celebrant. Also concelebrating was Fr. Joseph Shimek of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Sr. Elinor is the daughter of Arthur and Michele Gardner, also parishioners of St. Anthony Parish. She is a graduate of Brookfield Academy and attended Saint Anselm College where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, and Boston College where she received her doctorate in Philosophy. She is serving as clinical assistant professor in the School of Philosophy at the Catholic University of America. 

In addition to the sisters making final profession of vows, nine young women professed their first vows in the Congregation of St. Cecilia on Aug. 8, 2010.