Ten young women last week made their perpetual profession of the simple vows of poverty, chastity and obedience as Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation in Nashville, Tenn. Among those making final profession from the Arlington Diocese was Sister Marie Celine Laird, the daughter of Bob and Gerri Laird of the Diocesan Office for Family Life. They are members of St. Lawrence Parish in Alexandria.

Sister Marie Celine graduated in 1998 from Seton School in Manassas and in 2004 from Aquinas College in Nashville. She currently is teaching fifth grade at St. Mary School in Jackson, Tenn.

The other women who professed were: Sister Anne Frances Klein, Sister Vincent Marie Keeling, Sister Anne Catherine Burleigh, Sister Maria Fidelis Gray, Sister Mary Edith Humphries, Sister John Paul Myers, Sister Mary Juliana Cox, Sister Mary Grace Watson and Sister Mary Barbara Keiser.

In addition to the sisters making final profession of vows, eight young women professed their first vows of poverty, chastity and obedience with the Nashville Dominicans on Aug. 10. Making first profession of vows were Sister Elinor Gardner, Sister Lucia Marie Siemering, Sister Alexandra Prosser, Sister Mary Bethany Zeitler, Sister Loretta Park, Sister Grace Dominic Hargadon, Sister Kateri Rose Masters and Sister Theresa Anne Knuth.

The Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia in Nashville dates back to 1860. The sisters continue to live the apostolic and contemplative way of life founded by St. Dominic in the early 13th century. The Sisters of St. Cecilia are dedicated to the apostolate of Catholic education. They teach in 29 schools throughout the U.S., including St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School in Woodbridge. The St. Cecilia Motherhouse is located in Nashville. For more information on the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation go to www.nashvilledominican.org.