Mary Collins, OSB
September 16, 1935 - May 2, 2024
Sister Mary (Mary Dennis ) Collins, OSB, a revered Benedictine sister of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas, entered eternal life on May 2, 2024, at the age of 88. Known for her profound contributions to liturgical theology and the broader Church, Sister Mary’s impact resonates deeply in the lives she touched through her scholarship, leadership, and steadfast commitment to the renewal of worship in the Catholic tradition.
Born on September 16, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, Sister Mary discovered her calling early and joined the Benedictine sisters in Atchison after graduating from Mount St. Scholastica College in 1957. Her academic journey continued at the Catholic University of America, where she earned her Ph.D. in sacramental and liturgical studies. With her brilliant mind and passion for the Church, Sister Mary embarked on a distinguished academic career that included teaching religious studies at Benedictine College, the University of Kansas, and later, the Catholic University of America, where she eventually chaired the Department of Religion.
A pioneer in liturgical renewal, Sister Mary was at the forefront of the post-Vatican II movement to promote the "full, active, and conscious participation" of the faithful in the liturgy—the central teaching of the Second Vatican Council. Her work sought to deepen understanding of the liturgy’s transformative power, engaging disciplines as diverse as critical theory, cultural anthropology, ritual studies, gender studies, and spirituality. She was one of the first to explore liturgical language and practice through the lens of gender and cultural studies, bringing new dimensions to liturgical scholarship.
Sister Mary’s influence reached far beyond the classroom. She was a member of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL), consulted on numerous Church documents, and authored or edited fourteen significant books on theology and worship. She received numerous accolades throughout her life, including the Berakah Award from the North American Academy of Liturgy, the Michael Mathis Award from the Notre Dame Center for Pastoral Liturgy, and the Jubilate Deo Award from the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.
Sister Mary also served as a beloved leader within her Benedictine community. In 1999, she was elected prioress of Mount St. Scholastica, guiding her sisters with wisdom and grace until 2005. Her tenure was marked by a deep devotion to monastic life, a commitment to the values of St. Benedict, and a focus on fostering spiritual renewal.
Sister Mary’s legacy endures in the countless students, scholars, and pastoral ministers she mentored and inspired. As the Church looks back on her life and contributions, we honor a woman whose brilliance, faith, and vision enriched the liturgical life of the People of God. A true daughter of the Church and a model of Benedictine wisdom, Sister Mary Collins leaves behind a heritage that will continue to shape the worship and prayer of future generations.
Tribute prepared by Gary Feldhege.