While the brethr
en of the Order are commissioned to go out and preach the Good News, the nuns, are commissioned by God primarily for prayer, but are not for that reason excluded from the ministry of the Word.
Our ministry of the Word comes from the fullness of our feminine nature, which is one of attentiveness and receptivity. Like Our Lady we ponder the Word in our hearts, “calling upon God in solitude so that the word proceeding from the mouth of God may not return to Him empty, but may accomplish those things for which it w
as sent.” (Constitutions)
Sacred Study is born from attentive listening. For the nuns study is not about acquiring academic degrees but about nourishing our life of contemplation. We cannot love what we do not know. Lectio Divina is intimately connected to study for Dominicans because it is ordained to a real dialogue with God. Our whole life is harmoniously ordered to preserving the continual remembrance of God. Such a life, if faithfully lived leads us to that perfect love of God and neighbor which is effective in caring for and obtaining the salvation of all people.
“Dominic’s heart was so filled with love for the Lord that he participated in the deepest desires of His heart. To Dominic it meant offering himself as Christ did, giving himself with such intensity that the gift won souls.” Sr. Marie Ancilla, OP
“The blessed Dominic recommended some form of study to the first Nuns as an authentic observance of the Order. It not only nourishes contemplation but also removes the impediments which arise through ignorance and informs a practical judgment.” –Constitutions of the Dominican Nuns
Listen to the Nuns sing Of the Father’s Love.