Sequela Christi
A vocation to the Dominican contemplative life is a sheer gift from God, given to those whom He pleases to choose regardless of natural dispositions. It is a thoroughly supernatural call from Jesus Christ to follow Him and to belong to Him in a radical, exclusive way. Hence, our Constitutions speak of our life as being:
“Free for God alone…”
Stages of Formation
The common goal of all human life is the beatific, face-to-face vision of God. Formation involves a reorientation of the whole person to this beatitude. Flowing from sacred Truth, Dominican formation considers the human person as made in the image of God and capable of being perfected in His image by grace - beginning in this life and ultimately in heaven. It involves a movement from being the child of God consecrated as such at Baptism, to becoming the spouse of Christ through religious consecration. The primary responsibility for her formation lies with the candidate herself, in her free cooperation with the grace of her call from God, and in her docility to learn. Through formation, including traditional monastic observances, sisters develop and integrate those human qualities which bestow greater personal maturity, that they may be able to fully appreciate and accept the meaning of their call to the contemplative life; and that by the generous means assigned by the Church and the Order, particularly the fervent reception of the sacraments, they may strive to fulfill it with joyful self-giving and persevering effort.
Aspirancy
The aspirancy begins with a woman’s initial inquiry to visit the monastery in view of experiencing Dominican contemplative life. It is a time of growth in knowledge between our community and the aspirant, who ponders more seriously our way of life and her own desire. After connecting with the novice mistress, she may be invited to the monastery for a retreat, typically of 2-3 days. This initial visit will help to acquaint her with our community, especially through opportunities for liturgical worship, silence before the Blessed Sacrament, and personal visits with the novice mistress and other sisters. When there are indications of a possible vocation, the aspirant may request to enter our monastic enclosure for a live-in experience (typically 4-6 weeks). This opportunity allows the aspirant to make a trial of our life and ponder the authenticity of her own motivation; it also assists the community in considering whether there are genuine signs of a vocation. If both the aspirant and the community believe she may be called to our way of life, the application process for postulancy may begin. Aspirancy lasts for a minimum of one year.
Postulancy
The postulancy is a year of transition from secular life to cloistered religious life. During this time, the postulant is gradually, and gently, introduced into the observances and the customs of the community—that she may “put on the mind of Christ.” Dialogue with the novice mistress and classes oriented towards furnishing a deeper understanding of monastic observance and the life of union with God assist her to experience the means and end of Dominican contemplative life.
Novitiate
The novitiate is a two-year period which begins with the postulant’s reception of the Dominican habit, a white veil, and a religious name. It is ordered towards the progressive integration of the novice’s understanding of the Dominican monastic vocation and religious consecration as a lived reality. Novices are instructed to embrace the cross of Christ in poverty of spirit as they approach profession of the evangelical counsels, according to the word of the Lord: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart”. At the end of the novitiate, the sister will either be admitted to simple vows or return to secular life.
Temporary Profession
With the profession of simple vows, the former novice begins her life as a nun of the Order of Preachers. While the sister aspires to embrace these vows for life, she initially binds herself for three years, thereafter renewing for an additional two years. In the rite of profession, the sister receives the black veil - signifying her death to the world and her role as a house of prayer - and her scapular is blessed. Dominican friars and nuns, in distinction from other traditions, only make a vow of obedience, which includes the other evangelical counsels. The Dominican emphasis on obedience is due to its Christological significance, which is explained in our Constitutions: “By this profession, we imitate Christ in a special way, for he always submitted to his Father's will for the life of the world” (LCM 18.I). The sister continues her formation and growth in contemplative life - but now as a professed nun of the Order. She begins to participate in the Theological Formation Program and is further integrated into the professed community and shares in its responsibilities. After approximately two years, she leaves the novitiate to live with the professed nuns.
“… usque ad mortem.”
Solemn Profession
At the end of nine years of formation, the nun may petition to profess solemn vows. By solemn profession a nun is “totally consecrated to God in the Order until death.” She professes obedience to God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Dominic and her superiors. The Christological character of her obedience is especially highlighted by the profession formula’s parallel to Philippians—“obedience unto death” – obediens usque ad mortem. To signify the ratification of her espousal with the obedient and crucified Christ, the nun receives a ring and her black veil is blessed. Now that her consecration has been sealed by the profession of solemn vows, she belongs to Christ totally and participates more fully in the mystery of His redemption. Although her period of initial formation has ended, her life will include a certain ongoing formation as her entire person is purified and elevated through lived fidelity to her consecration and docility to the grace of God.
“As the Lord Jesus, the Savior of all, offered Himself completely for our salvation, they consider themselves to be truly His members primarily when they are spending themselves totally for souls.”
- The Constitutions of the Nuns of the Order of Preachers
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart…”
Pondering a Vocation…
If a young woman believes that Jesus Christ may be inviting her to belong to Him as a Dominican nun, she ought to praise God for the desire He has placed in her heart and to pursue it, in docility to the Holy Spirit, through prayer and further inquiry. Above all, she ought to remain close to Our Lord, especially His Sacramental Presence in the Eucharist and Confession, and to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She may further browse our website, explore reading recommendations, and contact our Novice Mistress - via letter or email - by simply introducing herself and expressing her desire to learn more about our life.
Vocation Inquiries
Practicing Roman Catholic women between the ages of 20-35, in good spiritual, psychological and physical health, with a love for the Church, the capacity for silence and solitude, as well as for community life, and with zeal for the salvation of souls, may direct vocational inquiries to:
Sr. Ann of the Cross, O.P.
Novice Mistress
11 Race Hill Road
North Guilford, CT 06437
203-457-0599
olgracevocations@gmail.com
Due to the nature of our contemplative life of silence and withdrawal from the world, we will only be able to respond to emails sent in regard to vocations. Know that you and your loved ones will be in our prayers.