What is a Dominican Nun?
The nuns of the Order of Preachers came into being when our holy Father Dominic gathered women converts to the Catholic faith in the monastery of Blessed Mary of Prouille. These women, free for God alone, he associated with his “holy preaching” by their prayer and penance.
Elements of our life
Prayer
Persevering in prayer with Mary the Mother of Jesus, they ardently long for the fullness of the Holy Spirit, so that with unveiled face they may reflect the glory of the Lord and be transformed into his image from splendor to splendor by the Spirit of the Lord. (Fundamental Constitutions of the Nuns, IV)
Liturgy
The nuns offer a sacrifice of praise to God especially through the celebration of the liturgy in imitation of the Church in Jerusalem which was drawn together by the teaching of the Apostles and united in daily prayer. Fundamental Constitutions IV
Common Life
More and more impelled by the love of Christ, that all-embracing divine friendship, they should become all things to all. In the common life of the religious family to which they are united in a closer bond through chastity, they should cultivate sisterly affection and serene friendship. LCM 26
Study
“A Dominican should love to study and study to love.”
Work
Rejoicing that they can fulfill the design of the Creator and be associated with the work of the Redeemer, the nuns should readily give themselves to work with all their powers of mind and heart as well as their gifts of nature and grace. LCM 104
Enclosure
The nuns seek God by observing the norms of the purely contemplative life, by maintaining their withdrawal from the world by enclosure and silence, by working diligently, studying the truth eagerly, searching the Scriptures with ardent heart, praying intently, willingly practicing penance, pursuing communion through their manner of government, in purity of conscience and the joy of sisterly concord, “in freedom of spirit.” Fundamental Constitutions V
Silence
“Silence is a prerequisite to that gaze of faith that enables us to welcome God’s presence.”
“It is God who now makes them dwell together in unity and on the last day will gather into the Holy City a people acquired as his own. In the midst of the Church their growth in charity is mysteriously fruitful for the growth of the people of God. By their hidden life they proclaim prophetically that in Christ alone is true happiness to be found, here by grace and afterwards in glory. ”
Following Christ
“In order that we may be perfected in the love of God and neighbor through this following of Christ, we are incorporated into our Order by profession and consecrated totally to God, and in particular we are dedicated in a new way to the universal Church, “being appointed entirely for the complete evangelization of the Word of God.”
KEYS TO THE LIFE OF DOMINICAN NUNS
(Document to be fixed on the door of the Monastery of Prouilhe)
PRAYER
Our life is centered around prayer. We wish to consecrate ourselves wholly to God. Our life is organized to enable us to achieve this. Prayer is source of happiness and wisdom, union with God. Through prayer we are fully present in the world and we do our best to improve the world. All this by God’s grace.
COMMUNITY
Our communities seek to give an (albeit imperfect) image of the Kingdom of God. In the first place our fraternal life gives us affection and joy. We are seeking God together. Through our love and respect for one another, we can progress together as a community along the path which leads us to Him. Through our unity the presence of the Holy Spirit is manifest.
WORK
Work is part of our fraternal life and helps us to feel united. Through our work we collaborate in God’s work of creation. And we stand together with all humans, who must make effort and suffer to earn a living.
STUDY
The most important is love, which enables us to be near people and God. Only love can lead us to a more intense relationship with Him. But to be able to love, it is important to know those we love. This is why study helps us to contemplate God. In our communities, we spend much time learning about the world, people and in particular our Creator and Redeemer.
PREACHING
Saint Dominic wisely established the first contemplative community at a major crossroads. Thus the community is able to support the Friars both materially and spiritually and in the midst of the world, bear witness of the Kingdom of God. This choice gives great sense to our lives for our preaching.