ADRIAN — The Adrian Dominican Sisters have announced the passing of Sister Jamie T. Phelps, OP; she died Saturday at the age of 84.
Phelps was a theologian and lifelong advocate for social and racial justice. She was a founding member of the National Black Sisters’ Conference and helped establish the Institute for Black Catholic Studies at Xavier University in Louisiana. Her work shaped Black Catholic theology nationwide and influenced generations of religious scholars and leaders.
She was the first Black woman to join the Adrian Dominican Congregation and spent decades in ministry as a teacher, preacher, professor, and consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Visitation will take place the evening of December 2nd, followed by vigil and funeral services on December 3rd, all at St. Catherine Chapel in Adrian. Livestream access will be available.