Becoming a Dominican Sister
Becoming a Dominican Sister In order to become a Dominican Sister, a woman goes through a number of years of religious formation. At present, the formation process can take up to nine years.
You can read an article here by Sr. Marie Redmond –Journeying with those in Formation
If you believe that you are being called to Religious Life as a Dominican Sister and would like to better understand this call, you will meet with our Co-Ordinator for Vocations Ministry, in the Congregation. You will be asked for a Curriculum Vitae and further information about yourself. You may be asked to attend Vocation Days. At this stage, should a woman wish to explore religious life further as a Dominican, our Co-Ordinator for Vocations Ministry will direct her to the Candidacy stage.
Candidacy is the period of time during which an individual undertakes a personal discernment about her call to religious life before asking to be formally admitted to the Congregation as a Novice. This involves a number of meetings and a time of prayer and reflection to become more familiar with the Dominican Congregation by meeting with our Sisters. During this phase, the Candidate will work closely with the Co-Ordinator in Ireland, Sr Lucina Montague. The Candidate will then apply in writing to be considered being admitted into the Novitiate.
The Novitiate is a period of inner quiet. The Novice comes to know and love Christ better and comes to a decision regarding her call to follow Christ as a Dominican Sister. At the end of her Novitiate, the novice will apply in writing to request admission to Temporary Vows.
During this time of temporary vows which may take a number of years, the Sister is helped to integrate a life of prayer and community living with apostolic service. She is supported by community, her Prioress and by a finally Professed Sister who is appointed to accompany her during this stage of formation. The Sister will then apply for admission to Final Profession.
At this stage, the Sister is accepted as a full member of the Congregation.
If you have any questions or would like any more information on becoming a Dominican Sister please contact:
Dominican Generalate
Email: domgen@eircom.net