Liz Dodd professes Perpetual Vows as a Sister of St Joseph of Peace

Sister Andrea Nenzel, CSJP, Congregation Leader leads blessing of Liz Dodd, CSJP

The Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace (CSJP) joyfully celebrated the Profession of Perpetual Vows of Sister Liz Dodd, CSJP, yesterday, Saturday, September 19, 2026. The Mass of Thanksgiving and Profession took place at Sacred Heart Church in Carlton, Nottingham, concelebrated by Fr Joe Wheat and Fr Chris Tomas, with a homily delivered by Sheena George, CSJP.

In her lifelong commitment to the Congregation's charism of peace through justice, Sister Liz professed:

"In response to God's call to seek justice, to love tenderly, and to walk in the way of peace, I, Liz Dodd vow to God, poverty, celibacy, and obedience for life according to the Constitutions of the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace."

Born in Oxford, Sister Liz studied Theology at Magdalene College, Cambridge, before building a distinguished career in journalism. She worked as a music journalist and travel writer for National Geographic Traveller (UK), The Guardian and The Independent, and served as home news editor at The Tablet from 2016 to 2021 - a period that included taking a sabbatical to cycle around the world.

Her journey with the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace began as a Candidate in 2020, followed by her entry into the novitiate in 2021, and her first profession of vows in October 2023. Drawn to the Congregation's "expansive spirituality," Sister Liz's formation has focused on solidarity with marginalised communities. She has provided hospitality to women seeking asylum and youth experiencing homelessness, at St Joseph's House of Hospitality in Nottingham. She also volunteered at an adult medical day care centre in New Jersey and a family shelter for homeless people in Washington State.

In addition to her vows, Sister Liz is an accomplished author and speaker. Rooted in her background in Feminist and Liberation theologies and her hands-on social justice work, she authored the 2026 Bloomsbury Lent Book, Easter in Disguise, which invites readers to embrace Lent as a season of radical resistance and global change. She continues to write as a regular columnist for The Tablet.

About the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace

Founded in 1884 in Nottingham, by Mother Francis Clare (Margaret Anna Cusack), the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace is an international Catholic religious community dedicated to promoting social justice as a path to peace. Sisters and Associates minister in education, health care, social justice, parish ministry, spiritual direction, and peace ministries across the United Kingdom and the United States. The 24th Congregation Chapter was held in Nottingham, from 12-19 September.

LINKS

Sisters of St Joseph of Peace: www.csjp.org
Sisters of St Joseph of Peace UK: www.csjp.org/united-kingdom

Facebook: @sistersstjosephofpeace
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Bluesky: @sistersofpeace

Patty Macias is Director of Communications for the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of Peace in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.