Sister Mary Margaret Gyovai, O.P. was re-elected on July 18, 2022, as the prioress of the Monastery of the Infant Jesus in Lufkin, Texas. Sister will serve the community for another three-year term. Fr. Edward Ruane, O.P., the Monastery’s vicar, presided at the election.
Sister Mary Margaret was born Jane Renée Gyovai in Aurora, Illinois. She initially entered the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois, a teaching congregation that had taught her from Kindergarten through high school, as Sister Mary Greta in 1967. However, while in temporary vows, Sister realized teaching was not her calling. She found out about the Monastery of the Infant Jesus so she let her vows expire at Springfield and joined the Monastery in 1972, making her First Profession as a Dominican nun in 1975 and her Solemn Vows in 1978.
In the last 50 years, Sister Mary Margaret has served the community in many different roles: as organist, liturgist, Sister in charge of the Vestment Department, sacristan, guest Sister, bursar, maintenance, IT, Sister in charge of the Print Shop (which produces the Monastery’s newsletter, brochures, and cards), sub-prioress, and now as prioress.
The Monastery of the Infant Jesus is an autonomous monastery belonging to the enclosed contemplative branch of the Dominican Order (the Order of Preachers). Members dedicate their lives to the worship of God and the salvation of souls through prayer and sacrifice.
You can learn about the Monastery of the Infant Jesus here.
