Blog by Sr. Beata Tiboldi[/caption]
Recently, we had a “Come and See” Retreat. (Click here to see a short video of the event.) The event included communal prayer, witness talks by Sr. Margie Davis OP and Sr. Mary Vuong OP about their vocation and ministry, conversations with Sisters who live in the motherhouse, an interview in the form of ‘burning questions,’ a guided tour exploring the history and heritage of the first Dominican Sisters in the USA, personal reflection time, social time and games.
I chose to share one conversation from the weekend for this blog. We interviewed a candidate, a temporary-professed Sister and a final professed Sister during one of the sessions. Although they didn’t have the time to ‘craft’ a response, I still found their responses very meaningful. I share one of them here below.
Annie Killian, retreat participant:
“Can you talk about your hopes for the future of religious life?”
Ellen Coates, 2nd year candidate:
“Thinking of ourselves as global congregations and working together, I really think that the power in numbers, the power in diversity of thinking and of experience, the power of prayer, as well as the power of ministry, and creating peace, all together, that we can do more that way globally. And I think that it will help strengthen and enrich religious life and it can help us make a bigger difference in the world.”
Sr. Ana Gonzalez OP, Temporary Professed Sister:
“I don’t know what the future of religious life is going to look like. We are not the mission; we are part of the mission. My hope for the future is: to be reliant and grounded in God. As long as we hold on and are rooted in God, we will be able to continue the tradition and mission of our 800-year old [Dominican] order.”
Sr. Carol Davis OP, Final Professed Sister:
“I hope we continue to be people of great passion and compassion; living the Word, preaching the Word, and continuing to be agents for change in the transformation of the world as we continue to evolve. That has ebbed and flowed over the years and God has continued to call people, men and women, to religious life. I think it will continue because I think the Church and the world needs us.”
Ellen Coates:
“Yes. And I don’t think God will let this resource die. I think that the future is going to be bright. It will probably take a lot of work, but the future is going to be bright.”
Sr. Carol Davis OP:
“[It’s] evolutionary.”
We invite you to pause for a second…
What is YOUR HOPE for the future of religious life?
If you feel God calling you to be part of this future, please contact our vocation team at vocations@oppeace.org . 