The Dominicans of Racine, Wisconsin: Volume One: Embrace the Swelling Wave

This volume presents the Bavarian roots and early story of the Dominicans of Racine, Wisconsin. It takes the reader through more than seven centuries in the monastery halls of Heilig Kreuz in Regensburg, into the lifetime of that monastery¿s eventual prioress, Maria Benedicta Bauer. It traces Benedicta¿s path through thirteen years in that office, through the turbulent events leading to her deposition and her emigration to the United States, and along her winding road to Racine with her loyal companion, Maria Thomasina Ginker. It follows the young new community through its first four difficult but hope-filled years, up to the deaths of its founders. It is a story, however, not just of the past but for the present as well.

Suzanne Noffke, O.P., is a member of the Dominicans of Racine, Wisconsin. She received her doctorate in linguistics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1968. After several years of teaching she served as her congregation¿s president from 1970 until 1976. Since then she has been occupied in translating and interpreting the works of Catherine of Siena, and in researching and writing this history of the Racine Dominicans. She currently lives in Racine, continuing her work on Catherine of Siena as well as on a second volume of the history of the Racine Dominicans, lecturing, teaching occasional short courses and study tours, and conducting retreats. She is affiliated with the Department of History of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside as a Scholar in Residence.