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 Sr.
Stella Spangler, OP
(Sr. Joseph Damien)
Diamond Jubilarian
60 years (August 14, 1944)
Sr. Stella Spangler, who is celebrating 60 years as a Dominican Sister,
readily admits that “Religious life is a riddle to the modern world.”
Entering the Dominican novitiate after graduating from the College of
St. Mary of the Springs (now Ohio Dominican University), she confides
that she had no idea what her work would be – she just wanted to
be a Sister.
“Had I followed my early inclination, I would have become a Franciscan,
for their sisters taught in my hometown,” remembers Sr. Stella.
“When in my junior year I had wanted to leave for the novitiate
in Wisconsin, my aunt’s suggestion that I come to Columbus to graduate
from St. Mary of the Springs Academy with my cousin changed my direction.”
“My Dominican music teacher was a loyal friend and a great pianist,
“Sr. Stella recalled. “She talked beautifully about religious
life in general, and said that being a Franciscan or a Dominican were
different means to the same end – one’s eternal salvation.”
Sr. Stella embraced both her vocation and her work with vigor. She served
at St. Mary of the Springs Academy as a Classics teacher from 1945 until
1960. After completing her Masters in Library Science at Rosary College
in Chicago, Sr. Stella worked at the College of St. Mary of the Springs
(now Ohio Dominican University) as the chief consultant for the building
of the new library, and as a member of the library staff from 1960 until
1972.
As a resident of Mohun Health Care Center since 1976, Sr. Stella has
faced her health challenges with faith and unfailing graciousness. “God’s
wisdom orders all things sweetly and gently to their appointed end. He
arranges the circumstances of our lives so that we can best attain out
eternal destiny,” she explains. “But our vision is limited
– we cannot understand the workings of God’s providence until
we review the events of days and years. Then we can better realize why
he permitted some sorrow or joy.” Perhaps a line from her 1952 unpublished
poem* is a fitting comment for her gentle way: “Though the garden
is often watered by tears, a smile gives warmth to its life.”
*Cultivation
The soil of love is most fertile to till,
No labor is spent in its plowing.
The seed that is planted is nourished at will,
No time but is good for its growing.
The harvest is plentiful all the year round,
The fruit when e’er plucked is ripe.
Though the garden is often watered by tears,
A smile gives warmth to its life.
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