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Biographical Extract:
Sister Mary Coralita Cullinan, O.P., was born on August 31, 1898 in Portsmouth Ohio. Her name, before she entered the Dominican Sisters, was Catherine Elizabeth Cullinan. Her father, John Cullinan, was born in County Waterford, Ireland and her mother, Mary Levins Cullinan, was from Zanesville, Ohio.

Sister Coralita Cullinan entered the Dominican Order on January 6, 1917, and received the habit on July 5, 1917, almost 6 months after. She took her temporary vows on July 10, 1918, then final vows on July 10, 1921.

In 1924, Sister Coralita received a B.A. from St. Mary of the Springs College (now Ohio Dominican), M.A. in 1926 from Fordham University in New York, and later a Ph.D. from Fordham. Most of her life was dedicated to teaching--elementary, secondary and college levels. She was Dean of St. Mary of the Springs College, Columbus, Ohio (1936-1940); President and Prioress of Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Connecticut (1949-1953) and later Congregational Supervisor of Schools. She was a Member of the General Council of the Dominican Congregation, Columbus, Ohio.

Sister Coralita died on February 3, 1956 and is buried at St. Mary of the Springs Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio.

After attaining a master of arts and a doctorate in psychology at Fordham University, she returned to St. Mary of the Springs College. Here she served as head of the Department of Educatino from 1936 to 1949, and dean of studies from 1938 to 1944. She was genearl supervisor and dean of extension from 1944 to 1949.

While president of Albertus Magnus, Sister Mary Coralita inaugurated the present scholarship program, and pursued a policy of expansion in the school's physical plant and liberal arts courses.

She taught a class in educational psychology during her first year as president, in order that she might become better acquainted with the students, with whom she was very popular.

Sister Mary Coralita was a member of the third order of Dominicans, as are the other nuns teaching at the college. Dominican priests comprise the first order, and cloistered nuns, such as those in the community formerly at Our Lady of Grace Monastery in Guilford, the second order.

Albertus magnus College is one of a number of schools established throughout the country by members of the third order of Dominicans. St. Dominic founded the religious order 700 years ago and its members have included St. Albert the Great (Albertus Magnus), and St. Thomas Aquinas, patron saint of Catholic schools throughout the world.

She was a member of the American Psychological Association, the national Society for the Study of Education, and on the executive committee of the Secondary School Dept. of the National Catholic Association.

The sisters of Albertus Magnus College and convent will sing a high mass of requiem today in St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel, Rosary Hall, for the repose of her soul. The Rev. Justin McManus, chaplain of the college, will celebrate the mass.

Burial will be in St. Mary of the Springs Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio, following a solemn high mass of requiem.

PROVIDENCE COLLEGE
Providence 8, Rhode Island
February 5, 1956

Dear Mother Aloyse and Sisters:

I offer my sympathy ot the St. Mary of the Springs Community and to each individual in the Community because Sister Coralita has been taken from us. Many Masses have been offered here by me and by other Dominican priests. We know that Sister is in heaven. Despite the reassuring comfort of our Faith, we need human comfort also to ease our aching hearts.

By her death, the Community has lost an executive of extraordinary capabilities. God blessed Sister Coralita magnificently, not only with a brilliant intelligence and exceptionally prudent mind, but also with a tender heart overflowing with understanding. God sowed His gifts in humble soil and Sister cooperated in their flowering: Before she became a Councillor and the Supervisor helping to direct the work of the Community in the schools and in St. George Hospital, and before she was President of Albertus and Dean of St. Mary's, she was one of the unnamed many teaching faithfully in college, in high school and in the grades; and while she was teaching she did her share of manual labor--for example, painting chairs and floors.

The Community has lost not only a brilliant and humble executive, but also a saintly Sister. Sister Coralita imbebed from her teachers at St. Mary's a total devotion to the ideals of the Community--the sanctification of her own soul and of the souls in the schools and in the hospital. She lived a life of Dominican prayer. The center of her life was the Incarnate Word as the Crucified Redeemer, as the Eucharistic Savior and as the Sacred Heart. Our Blessed Mother and Saint Dominic were her hourly intercessors through the Little Office, the Rosary, the other requirements of the Constitutions and all the recommendatinos of the Rule. She strove earnestly to be sanctified and to lead other souls to God.

Each individual Sister in the Community has lost a sister and a friend. Each Sister has also lost a model, for Sister Coralita was a perfect Lady as well as a perfect Dominican Sister, and she--if anyone ever did--made an adequate return on the talents God lent her in order to serve Him.

We are consoled because Sister had the inestimable blessing of knowing that she was soon to die. She prepared with calm confidence, realizing that she was returning to her God of Love--to the Sacred Heart. She received the Last Sacraments from a Dominican priest, and was nursed around the clock by her beloved Dominican Sisters at St. George Hospital. She participated over and over in the choral recitation of Our Lady's Rosary, and died while it was being said at her bedside. Our Lady led her Home on the First Friday. Dying and death changed her visage beyond the skill of any undertaker but beautified her soul with the form of Diviine Love.

I offer you my most sincere sympathy. I realize your loss, for a dear friend has left me, too. I realize that all of us have gained another intercessor before God Himself: Sister Coralita is now praying for the continued success of her Community in the schools and in the hospital. God grant that all serve as she served. If so, success shall be achieved.

Once more the seed has died. From it shall spring blossoms--and fruit abundant.

Sincerely,
Father Molloy

Source:

• New Haven Journal-Courier, February 4, 1956.
• New Haven Register, February 4, 1956.
• Letter from Sister Mary Agnes McMahon, Archivist, St. Mary of the Springs Motherhouse dated June 5, 1996.
• Letter from Rev. Father Molloy, Providence College, Providence, Rhode Island, dated February 5, 1956.