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RESTON, VA – More than 120 members of the EPS family were on hand March 3 when EPS Virginia held a special Mass in memory of Sister Dorothy Stang, SND, who was murdered in February in Brazil, where she has fought for the rights of poor farmers in the Amazon forest.

Sister Dorothy’s sister and brother-in-law, EPS VA graduates and Fairfax residents Marguerite Hohm and her husband Elmer attended the Mass, one of several celebrated throughout the country on behalf of the slain nun. Sister Dorothy belonged to the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SND), the same order as EPS President Sr. Mary Ann Cook, and EPS foundress Sr. Joan Bland.

Sr. Dorothy's younger sister, Marguerite Hohm and her husband Elmer, both EPS graduates, look over the display celebrating Sr. Dorothy's life and mission.

Sister Dorothy, 73, spent decades in the Amazon of Brazil, fighting to protect poor farmers against efforts by loggers and large landowners to take over lands and clear large sections of rainforest. She was shot three times near the town of Anupu, about 1,300 miles north of Sao Paulo in the Amazon region.

“Sister Dorothy’s life, as well as her death, is a powerful witness to the Gospel for all of us in a world where poverty, injustice and disregard for the environment are rampant,” said Sister Mary Ann Cook who spoke before the Mass.

The Rev. John A. Koziol, OFM Conv. celebrated the Mass. Sister Mary Ann Cook spoke before the Mass and EPS Virginia Director Dr. William Tobin thanked those in attendance following.

“Today we remember a woman who knew only too well the reality of sin and exploitation,” Fr. Koziol said in his homily. “Sr. Dorothy Stang was murdered …as she spoke out for the rights of the poor and the oppressed.

“Sr. Dorothy is a true witness for us of the call to hear the gospel of Jesus and to respond to it. She reminds up of the need to cultivate hearts that are compassionate and filled with love. She calls us to have voices that are strong and bold, speaking out for the voiceless and the powerless.”

According to information on the SND website, 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 came less than a week after meeting with the Brazil’s human rights officials about threats to local farmers from loggers and landowners.

Sister Dorothy had received several death threats but maintained that she would not abandon the battle on behalf of poor farmers.

At the memorial Mass, Fr. Koziol drew from the Lenten readings from Jeremiah and St. Luke, and challenged EPS friends to “confront ourselves in this season of conversion and examine the condition of our hearts, our ears and our voices.”

Sin, both personal and social, he said, “has a way of immunizing us to its ugliness and its evil consequences. Look how tolerant we have become of so many aspects of our daily lives, which have at their root sin and exploitation of individuals and even nations of people. We have heard over and over again that we make up about four percent of the world’s population but consume 30 percent of the world’s resources. We drive gas guzzling SUVs, watch sexually exploitive TV, shop at stores that treat workers unfairly, invest our money in companies that care nothing for the environment. What an indictment!”

Sr. Dorothy received the “Woman of the Year” award by the state of Para for her work in the Amazon region in June 2004, and the Humanitarian of the Year award from the Brazilian Bar Association for her work helping the local rural workers in December, 2004. Sister Dorothy had earlier this year received an “Honorary Citizenship of the State” award from the state of Para.

Two EPS friends read about Sr. Dorothy's work.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, Sister Dorothy entered the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur community in 1948 and professed final vows in 1956. Before beginning her ministry in Brazil in 1966, she taught elementary school in Illinois and Arizona.

EPS was founded in 1988 by Sister Joan Bland, SND. The SND order, with 2,000 members around the world, has a strong tradition of education with a special commitment to education of the poor.

Sr. Dorothy Stang, SND

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