by: Sr. June Fitzgerald, OP

“I felt like a feather in God’s hands,” said a retreatant on Sunday as we gathered and shared the graces received on our recent Come & See Retreat weekend.  She was referring to her experience of a prayer practice Sr. Mary, her spiritual companion, led her in as they met individually.  This was just one of the blessings she received. 

Each person who participates in a discernment retreat steps out in faith and trust as they listen to and follow God’s call. 

Perhaps you, too, have wondered about attending one of these retreats.  Maybe some of your questions and concerns caused you to put off coming to see what this retreat might be like.  You’re not alone, and so I would like to share with you my first experience of attending a Come and See discernment retreat and answer some of your questions.   

I attended my first Come and See discernment retreat when I was 24 years old.  I was terrified and excited at the same time.  It was a beautiful fall day, and as I drove to Pennsylvania, questions and concerns swirled in my mind and heart.  What would it be like?  Who else would be there?  Do I have what it takes to be a sister?  I arrived at the Motherhouse and was greeted by several novices who had been assigned to help us settle in.  Their joy and laughter settled my nerves, and I finally took a deep breath and relaxed.   

This retreat was a transformational time for me and a blessing.  I remember sitting in the chapel late one evening and seeing the fireflies outside floating about the lawn.  Deer were grazing on the hillside and munching on acorns as the sun moved lower in the sky.  The smell of candles, incense, furniture polish, and paint from a recently completed mural was also present.  A deep sense of God’s presence was with me, and for the first time, I truly opened my heart to believing that God was calling me to religious life.  It just seemed right.  I sat there and prayed for over an hour.  When I left the chapel, I knew that whatever happened, God was leading me on the way.  I just needed to remember to follow and to trust.   

Fast forward to 2025, and here I am on the other side of the equation.  I am on the Vocations team, and we just completed a Come and See retreat this past weekend at our Motherhouse in Columbus, Ohio.  What a joy it is on these weekends to be with discerners and to share this life as a religious sister with them. 

Now, it has been a few years since my first Come and See retreat, but having lived and embraced religious life for a while, I would like to share some answers to the questions that plagued me on that drive to my first retreat so long ago.   

So, here it goes:   

1.    What will it be like?   

It will be a program designed with you in mind.  The retreat will include presentations by sisters on discernment, the vows, life in community, and the history and charism of our Dominican Order and Congregation.  Each day will begin and end with prayer in common.  You will have time for private prayer & reflection, group conversations, fun, good food, and even a hayride on our farm.  You may even see some fireflies.   

 2.  Who else will be there?   

Other women of faith, like yourself, who have heard God calling them to something more – who are also exploring religious life.  Some are in their first years of college, and others have graduated long ago and are involved in professional careers.  They are accountants, doctors, nurses, social workers, and pastoral ministers.  Along with the retreatants, there will be sisters who will serve as speakers, spiritual companions, prayer leaders, and tour guides.  Of course, God will be present in a special way to you.   

 3.   Do I have what it takes to be a sister?   

Well, I cannot answer that one for you, but I do know that each of us is a child of God, and has been called to something special from the moment of our conception, which was sealed in the waters of baptism.  God loves you and calls you by name.  I invite you to respond in faith and trust.  The answer will be revealed.   

During this Jubilee year, as Pilgrims of Hope, we are all called to “go deeper” into the heart of God and to make time to listen to how God is calling us to live our lives as faithful disciples of Jesus.  We welcomed our retreatants last Friday—they stayed with us, prayed with us, laughed and wondered with us, and after learning about our Dominican Charism, we sent them back out to continue discerning God’s call.   

Now, their discernment in everyday life continues.  This isn’t a journey they walk alone.  We will support them in discerning God’s call through our various online and in-person programs, monthly meetings with a vocation minister to focus on personal discernment, and other opportunities to visit us.  Oh, and there are “no strings attached,” as we walk with you, you are encouraged to find that special place to which God is calling you.  It may be with our congregation, or it may be with another congregation, monastery, lay-ministry program, or something else… It is your journey to Emmaus, walking with Jesus.  We’ll be happy to walk along with you as you discover the plans God has for you, “plans for a future full of hope.” (Jer 29:11)  

If you are feeling that God is calling you to something more, take courage and contact one of us here.  Blessings and much peace, Sister June