Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, Sisters of Life to receive 2013 Evangelium Vitae Medal | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, Sisters of Life to receive 2013 Evangelium Vitae Medal Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, Sisters of Life to receive 2013 Evangelium Vitae Medal Published: October 11, 2012 Author: Michael O. Garvey Mother Agnes Mary Donovan Mother Agnes Mary Donovan and the religious community of which she is the superior general, the Sisters of Life, will receive the 2013 Evangelium Vitae Medal. “Mother Agnes and the Sisters of Life labor with tireless love and joy to build a culture of life,” said David Solomon, chair of the governing committee of the Notre Dame Fund to Protect Human Life. “By their prayer, particularly centered around the Mass and the Eucharist, and outreach to women facing difficult pregnancies and their babies, those who suffer from the aftermath of abortion, and the youth, Mother Agnes and the Sisters of Life are much-needed witnesses of the beauty and sanctity of life. Through their compassionate commitment to the respect for all human life, Mother Agnes and the Sisters bring joy and hope to the world today in a way that is truly heroic. We are honored to award them the Notre Dame Evangelium Vitae Medal.” Founded in 1991 by Cardinal John O’Connor, the Sisters of Life is a contemplative and active religious community of women. As in most religious communities, its members take the three traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, but also a fourth vow to protect and enhance the sacredness of human life. In addition to their contemplative prayer, they provide hospitality and support for pregnant women and lead “Hope and Healing” retreats serving women and men who have suffered from abortion. Evangelium Vitae Medal Agnes Mary Donovan was among the first eight women to join the community, which now has more than 70 members. Before entering religious life, she earned a doctoral degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1985 and served on the psychology faculties of The College of William and Mary and Columbia University, where she was director of research of Columbia’s Literacy Center. A licensed clinical psychologist, she also worked in a private practice. She became superior general of the Sisters of Life in 1993. The Notre Dame Evangelium Vitae Medal honors individuals whose outstanding efforts have served to proclaim the Gospel of Life by steadfastly affirming and defending the sanctity of human life from its earliest stages. The award, which is announced annually on Respect Life Sunday, the first Sunday of October, consists of a specially commissioned medal and $10,000 prize, to be presented at a spring banquet that will be held on April 3. Richard Doerflinger, associate director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat for Pro Life Activities, and Helen M. Alvaré, associate professor of law George Mason University, are previous recipients of the medal. Contact: Angela M. Engelsen, associate director of the Center for Ethics and Culture, 574-631-1868, engelsen.1@nd.edu Posted In: Faith Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related October 03, 2022 dCEC to Award 2023 ND Evangelium Vitae Medal to Robert P. George September 22, 2022 In memoriam: Rev. Richard Warner, C.S.C., longtime leader for Notre Dame, Congregation of Holy Cross September 15, 2022 In new book on global Catholicism, Provost John McGreevy explores modern history, current challenges of the Church September 15, 2022 Death penalty abolitionist Sister Helen Prejean to speak at Notre Dame September 14, 2022 Apostolic nuncio to Great Britain to deliver the 2022 Keeley Vatican Lecture For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn