Sr. Marilyn Nichols CSJ

Marilyn Nichols was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on August 29, 1932, the daughter of Teresa and Victor Nichols. Her entrance into the Congregation of St. Joseph of Nazareth was on July 1, 1950. Her reception was held on January 3, 1951. She pronounced first vows on January 3, 1953 and final vows on January 3, 1956.

Sr. Marilyn was a Board Member of the American Teilhard Association. Her expertise included Systematic Theology, History of Religions, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Liberation perspectives. Her teachings spanned over 40 years and after attaining her Ph.D. in History of Religions at Fordham, she served primarily in higher education within the U.S. and Zambia. Her concern was that all peoples globally and locally recognize and use their own creative power at this unique time in history for the liberation of the entire earth community journey and for the glory of its Creator and personal Guide. Ewert Cousins, Professor of Theology at Fordham University wrote in a letter of recommendation, “During Sr. Marilyn’s studies at Fordham she has shown outstanding qualities in the area of intellectual capacity, original and creative thinking, and painstaking and precise research. For many years I have worked in this area and judge that Sr. Marilyn has made a significant contribution to the field.”

Sr. Marilyn was actively involved for many years in the workings of professional societies and published “Toward an Understanding of the Feminine in Teilhard”, “Eco-Feminism and the Church” and “The Journey Symbol”. She was often a speaker at civic and ecumenical conventions, including a discussion at the United Nations regarding the U.N.’s involvement in world peace. Sr. Marilyn has also made television appearances discussing these particular subjects. Esteemed scholar and “geologian” Thomas Berry was her doctoral dissertation mentor and wrote, “She has exceptional energy, good judgment and absolute dependability in carrying projects through in difficult circumstances. To these qualities, she also brings human feeling and interest in the persons with whom she works.”

Sr. Marilyn’s love and understanding of theology developed from her intense passion for life and all living things. Her deep concern for the environment exemplified her love of life. As an instructor in higher education, she saw herself helping students realize their potential to address the issues of their time. Her warm, witty, people-loving and extremely bright presence conveyed her deep awareness of God’s love showered upon her through family, friends, mentors, colleagues, and the Congregation of St. Joseph. During her later years at Nazareth, she often expressed gratitude for the gifts and blessings she experienced through others. All of which is captured in her favorite Psalm 84 mantra: “My heart and my soul ring out with joy to God, the living God. One day within your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.”