Sister Barbara Reid, OP

Jubilarian 2025 – 50 Years a Sister

Prayer Ministry

Pray for equality for women in church and society.

50th Jubilee Reflection

“All I have seen teaches me to trust God for all I have not seen.”

I wanted to be a Dominican sister since I was six years old. I fell in love with the beautiful long, flowing white habit of the Adrian Dominican Sisters who taught me from first through twelfth grade. The romantic notions of my childhood gave way to more serious reflection as a young adult. As a college student at Aquinas, I was deeply touched by the sisters who taught me and nurtured my vocation. I was profoundly attracted to the spirit of joy they exuded.

Fifty years later, I am filled with gratitude for all the opportunities and challenges that have formed me: first as a High School Spanish and Religion teacher at St. Mary Cathedral in Saginaw, where the Vatican II vision of church became a reality for me and made a life-long impact. Then came the opportunity to do doctoral studies in Scripture at the Catholic University of America, after which I was privileged to join the faculty of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. I have been stretched into becoming a professor, Dean, and President at CTU, always conscious that none of what I have accomplished in my ministries would have been possible without the support and encouragement of the community. There are no words to express my feelings at this jubilee except overflowing gratitude and profound trust and joy.

Psalm 117, one of my favorites, calls all people to praise God whose steadfast love and faithfulness endures forever. It is the closest biblical text I have found to match the saying I put on the cover of the worship aid for my final profession in 1980: “All I have seen teaches me to trust God for all I have not seen.”

Biography

Sr. Barbara is one of the leading scholars in feminist interpretation of the Scriptures. She is General Editor for the Wisdom Commentary Series, a 58-volume feminist commentary on the Bible published by Liturgical Press.

In 2021, Sr. Barbara was named  president of one of the country’s foremost graduate schools of theology and ministry. At that time, the congregation announced, “It is with great joy that the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids share with you the very good news that our Sr. Barbara Reid has been elected as the next president of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. This is the first time a woman will lead the school of ministry and theology. We know the solid gifts of leadership that Barbara possesses and will use to fulfill her new role. She accepts this mantle in a challenging time. Her conviction in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and her desire to form ministers to shape a world of justice, love, and peace will serve her well. We support her with our love and prayers, trusting that the gifts of the Spirit and the grace of the office of President will flow upon her during her years of leadership as president.”

Sr. Barbara has served on the Catholic Theological Union faculty since 1988. She has served as Vice President and Academic Dean and has been actively involved in the Association of Theological Schools, including service on their Board of Directors. She has led many of CTU’s Israel Retreats and Biblical Lands Study and Travel Programs in Greece, Turkey, Israel and the Palestinian Territories, Jordan, and Egypt. A former Spanish teacher, she has given presentations in México, Bolivia, Perú, Uruguay, Brazil, Guatemala, and Santo Domingo. She has also lectured in Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Philippines, Thailand, and Rome.

She is past President of the Catholic Biblical Association (2014-2015). She received an honorary doctorate from the University of Graz, Austria in 2019 and was inducted into Aquinas College Hall of Fame in 2016. She has received the Yves Congar Award for Theological Excellence from Barry University (2017), St. Martin DePorres Award from the Southern Province Dominican Friars (2016), Jerome Award from Catholic Library Association (2012), Theological Award for Distinguished Women Theologians from the College of Mount St. Joseph (2010), the Sophia Award from Washington Theological Union (2000).

Books

Sr. Barbara Reid is one of the leading scholars in feminist interpretation of the Scriptures. She is General Editor for the Wisdom Commentary Series, a 58-volume feminist commentary on the Bible published by Liturgical Press.

Preaching

Nourishing Word, Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Nourishing Word, Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sr. Barbara Reid, OP, was elected the eighth president of CTU, succeeding the Rev. Mark R. Francis, CSV. The CTU Board of Trustees announced the decision in a news release on November 12, 2020.

Sr. Barbara Reid, OP, was elected the eighth president of CTU, succeeding the Rev. Mark R. Francis, CSV. The CTU Board of Trustees announced the decision in a news release on November 12, 2020.

Sr. Barbara received the Martin de Porres Award at the Dominican Family Conference in 2016. It is awarded to persons whose lives exemplify the spirit of St. Martin de Porres, who serve the community and church, particularly the poor, sick, and marginalized.

Sr. Barbara received the Martin de Porres Award at the Dominican Family Conference in 2016. It is awarded to persons whose lives exemplify the spirit of St. Martin de Porres, who serve the community and church, particularly the poor, sick, and marginalized.

In November 2015, Grand Rapids Dominican Sr. Barbara Reid launched the Wisdom Commentary series, a groundbreaking project offering feminist interpretation for every book of the Bible.

In November 2015, Grand Rapids Dominican Sr. Barbara Reid launched the Wisdom Commentary series, a groundbreaking project offering feminist interpretation for every book of the Bible.

Sr. Barbara leads pilgrimages in the Holy Land. Catholic Theological Union's president and biblical scholar welcomes travelers. "We are grateful for the welcoming spirit of the citizens of Jerusalem and for the extraordinary opportunity to return to these sacred spaces for the Abrahamic faiths."

Sr. Barbara leads pilgrimages in the Holy Land. Catholic Theological Union's president and biblical scholar welcomes travelers. "We are grateful for the welcoming spirit of the citizens of Jerusalem and for the extraordinary opportunity to return to these sacred spaces for the Abrahamic faiths."

Sister Barbara Reid, OP with the Master General Father Bruno Cadoré, OP at the Dominican Sisters International 8th General Assembly, Salesianum, Rome, April 28 – May 05, 2016.

Sister Barbara Reid, OP with the Master General Father Bruno Cadoré, OP at the Dominican Sisters International 8th General Assembly, Salesianum, Rome, April 28 – May 05, 2016.

Sr. Barbara at the 2023 Catholic Biblical Association meeting at Creighton University, showcasing the Wisdom Commentary series - the series for which she is General Editor. With her is Hans Christoffersen, Editorial Director of Liturgical Press (the publisher for Wisdom Commentary).

Sr. Barbara at the 2023 Catholic Biblical Association meeting at Creighton University, showcasing the Wisdom Commentary series - the series for which she is General Editor. With her is Hans Christoffersen, Editorial Director of Liturgical Press (the publisher for Wisdom Commentary).

”The seeking and preaching of Truth is not over... it is a gift that is very much needed in our world today. ~ Barbara Reid, OP, 800th Anniversary of the Order of Preachers, Rome, Italy in 2017