Sr. Mary Collins, Osb

Sister Mary Collins, OSB, 88, a Benedictine sister of Mount St. Scholastica, Atchison, Kan., died Thursday, May 2, 2024, at the monastery. The vigil service will be Thursday, May 16, at 7:00 p.m. in the monastery chapel, and the Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated there on Friday, May 17, at 10:30 a.m.

Sister Mary (Mary Dennis) was born in Chicago, Ill., on Sept. 16, 1935. After graduating from Mount St. Scholastica College, she entered the Benedictine sisters in Atchison in 1957. She taught high school several years before beginning her doctoral studies at the Catholic University of America. After earning her Ph.D. in liturgical theology, she taught religious studies at Benedictine College and the University of Kansas. In 1967, she became associate professor of religious studies at the Catholic University of America and in 1983 became chair of the Department of Religion. After a short period in North Carolina, she returned in 1987 to the Catholic University of America, where she taught until she was elected prioress of Mount St. Scholastica monastery in Atchison, Kan., in 1999. A significant figure in the broader world of Benedictine women, she was first councilor for the Federation of St. Scholastica for twelve years and a consultant or author for many of their documents. Sister Mary was a member of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) and belonged to several professional theological organizations. She wrote, collaborated on, or edited a large number of articles and books on religion and liturgy for which she was widely known. She also received many awards, including honors from the National Association of Pastoral Musicians, the Notre Dame Center for Pastoral Liturgy, and the North American Academy of Liturgy.

Sister Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Lauretta (Lacasse) and Homer Collins and a brother, Michael Collins. She is survived by her brother John Collins, Oak Brook, Ill., by nieces and nephews, and by her monastic family. Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home (www.arensbergpruett.com) is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be sent to Mount St. Scholastica or made online at the Mount's web site (www.mountosb.org).