by: Sr. Mai-Dung Nguyen

The question, “How did you decide to become a member of the Dominican Sisters of Peace?” is commonly asked of our Vocation Ministers by women discerning a call to religious life. To answer this question, I invite you to learn about our Dominican charism, which is rooted in the four Dominican pillars: prayer, community, study, and preaching. 

St. Dominic de Guzman, the founder of the Dominican order, wanted to create a new religious community that embraced contemplation and action in preaching. He truly believed that our preaching, study, and ministry or service should flow from the insights we gain through our contemplative prayer. Living joyfully with this balance, Dominic earned the title of a joyful friar. There was a remarkable moment when he encountered the Cathars, a heretical group, who were ready to harm him. Yet, his cheerful spirit won them over, leading to his safe release!

Embracing the cheerful spirit inspired by our founder, Dominic, we, in the Dominican Order, aim to spread the joys of God’s messages through our lives and actions. One of our favorite mottos is “Contemplata aliis tradere,” which means "to share the fruits of our contemplation." Being Dominican is all about sharing joy!

The importance of contemplation is also explained by our Dominican brother, St. Thomas Aquinas, who in his Summa Theologiae noted that "…the form of active life in which a man, by preaching and teaching, delivers to others the fruits of his contemplation, is more perfect than the life that stops at contemplation, because such a life is built on an abundance of contemplation, and consequently such was the life chosen by Christ…just as it is better to enlighten than merely to shine, so is it better to give to others the fruits of one's contemplation.”

Many people envision the contemplative life as exclusive to monks or nuns in monasteries, but this perspective overlooks the diversity within the Dominican family. Our vibrant community includes friars, apostolic Dominican sisters, and dedicated laypeople, known as Associates. Most Dominicans actively engage in ministry, combining contemplative prayer with daily life. We pray together, nurture our spiritual growth, and carry our contemplative spirit into the world, sharing our preaching through our words and actions, striving to be a joyful expression of the Gospel in our daily lives and ministries. Our preaching, grounded in deep contemplation, reflects our mission for a harmonious world.

Each Dominican congregation and member brings unique gifts and perspectives that celebrate the community’s rich diversity. Together, we embody the spirit of Christ in ways that inspire and uplift those around us.

In our community of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, we hold a steadfast dedication to fostering peace and sharing this message of peace with others in our ministries. Embracing our uplifting motto—Be Peace, Build Peace, Preach Peace—we engage in diverse ministries like technology, education, healthcare, eco-spirituality, and social justice, striving to bring this message of peace in what we do and who we are. By leveraging our unique talents and collaborating in meaningful ministries and service to God’s people, we strive to make the world a better place to live.

In community, we learn from each other’s experiences. We engage in meaningful conversation, share laughter, and celebrate life’s gifts. At the same time, we are there for each other through the tough times, supporting one another as we heal, grow, and transform. Together, we work to spread joy, peace, and compassion, reflecting the idea of "One Body but many parts" from 1 Corinthians 12.

Being part of our congregation's diverse ministries has been rewarding. The four Dominican pillars of prayer, community, study, and preaching, along with the motto "be peace, build peace, and preach peace," are some of the reasons why I became a member of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, and I’m genuinely grateful for this journey!

Perhaps you may feel a call to explore or live a religious life dedicated to sharing the Gospel's joyful message with others through your life and ministry. If so, we’d love to discern with you as you explore what it means to become a member of the Dominican Sisters of Peace. We have many discernment opportunities, such as our one-on-one Zoom chats with our vocation team, Emmaus Discernment Group, or Discernment Prayer Group. Check out our many upcoming vocation events on our vocation webpage, where you can find a wealth of resources to assist you in your exploration and discernment.

Finally, may this Dominican Blessing offer you peace in your discernment journey:

May God Creator bless us.

May God Redeemer heal us.

May God the Holy Spirit fill us with light.

May we have eyes to see,

Ears to hear, and hands to do

God’s work in the world.

May we walk with God and preach God’s word to all.

May the angel of peace watch over us and

 lead us at last by God’s grace into eternal life. Amen