Connecting with What’s on Our Heart

If you were to write a journal entry, a letter to someone, or record something in your diary about an experience that happened to you today or recently, what would you write about?

The question above surfaced recently when I saw a journaling idea that piqued my interest: “Attach an envelope to your journal or your Bible and insert a letter to God.” “That sounds like a good idea,” I thought, as it could be not only a reflective and meaningful experience but also a way to nurture and reflect on our relationship with God, on our thoughts, feelings, concerns, and observations and to reflect on what’s important and to know ourselves better.

“A handwritten letter to God…” I thought. Handwritten letters are so rare nowadays. They are not as fast as text messages or emails, yet, I believe, most of us cheer up when we find a handwritten letter from someone we know. Why? Most likely because letters connote an endearing and enduring relationship.

As I kept playing with the thought about writing a letter to God, I was pondering: “I’m quick to offer a prayer to God, but if I were to write a letter to God, what would I write about?” What would you write to God in a letter?

Reflecting on this question, my mind wandered to a recent experience of reading little notes of wishes on a Wishing Tree: at the Irish Festival in Dublin, Ohio.  Dangling from this tree were colorful slips of paper tied to a branch with a string, which looked similar to the peace flags on the meditation trail at our Shepherd’s Corner Ecology Center in Blacklick, Ohio. At this Wishing Tree, people wrote down their wishes on a small piece of paper and then hung the wish on the tree. There were wishes for a trip to Ireland, for a more peaceful world, for overcoming physical or mental illnesses, for a happy marriage, for a pet, etc. Some of these wishes made me smile and feel content, some made me think, and some filled me with sadness, especially when I read the one that was most likely written by a child: “I wish me and my mom find a house for ourselves soon.” As I read these wishes, I found myself wanting to offer a prayer for each wish, and so I continued reading these wishes – praying to God for each intent.

Both writing a letter to God and offering a prayer are just two simple ways to reflect on what’s on our heart or mind, what’s important to us, what we value, and ultimately, to reflect on our relationship with God.  So, as you read this blog, what’s on your heart and mind? What would you write to God in a letter?

If you would like to spend a few days reflecting on your relationship with God and contemplating what it might be like to live a life of prayer that’s lived out in ministry and community, we are offering an upcoming discernment retreat, September 8-10, 2023, for single, Catholic women ages 18-45, either virtually or in person, at our Motherhouse in St. Catharine, Kentucky. Click here for more information or to register.

Click here for photos. Wishing Tree

I used to be a homebody.

It’s ironic, then, that I ended up becoming a Dominican Sister. The Dominican order has always been known as itinerant – traveling from place to place to meet the needs of God’s people.

Dominicans are also called to be itinerant in mind, spirit, and intellect – open to ideas.

At the beginning of my own religious life, I wondered why being itinerant was so important to the Order of Preachers. But the more I live and minister as a Dominican, the more I realize that being itinerant is not just a physical attribute – it’s the spiritual and mental combination of flexibility, reflectivity, and openness to new ideas and outcomes. Being itinerant gives us an opportunity to sort out what we need to let go and organize what we need for our life journey. Itinerancy also creates chances for us to reexperience some valuable treasure that may be buried in our everyday life and allows a glimpse of an expanded horizon.

Sr. Barbara Kane, one of many Dominican Sisters of Peace, reflected on her moving to her new ministry and new place. She wrote:

I’ve recently been asked to move for a new ministry.

I’ve moved a number of times and it’s always an opportunity to ask myself “Do I really need _____?”

Sorting and packing can be such a hassle and overwhelming. The other day I came across a card that my father sent me when I entered the congregation. There is a picture of an eagle with wings outstretched in the sky with the words “Spread Your Wings And Soar.”  Inside, the caption is “You Can Do It.” Dad wrote “Since you will not be encumbered by earthly things, you will be able to serve God better. I think this card is appropriate for you. Soaring like an Eagle to God. Love, Dad.”

If only he could see the pile of stuff surrounding me today! He would laugh and shake his head. I’ve been trying to whittle down my possessions for 20-plus years and while I’ve been somewhat successful, I wouldn’t say that I’m unencumbered!  In today’s world, the temptation to collect things – like books – is always present. Before we know it, there’s just too much. As religious, we are invited to ask “Do I really need this? Does someone need this more than me?”

I chuckled when I found Dad’s card. I’m glad I saved it and will continue to carry it with me to my next ministry. It was a good reminder to allow myself to soar like an eagle to God … and to continue to lighten the load.

Sr. Barbara’s experience mirrors my own Dominican life. I have learned that itinerancy makes me more open to the reality of life and makes it easier to follow God’s call. Itinerancy has given me the freedom to feel God walking with me, lighting my path, and inspiring me to fearlessly bring God’s love and peace to the world. To use Sr. Barb’s metaphor, Dominican itinerancy has allowed me to soar like an eagle to God.

Are you curious how religious sisters live this life of movement and freedom? Our vocations team can answer your questions. If you want to explore and discern if you can be itinerant in body, mind, and spirit, join us at our Come and See event from Sept. 8-10 in Kentucky. Travel assistance is available. Click here to register.

Recently, three of our members—Sr. Mai-Dung Nguyen, Candidate Terri Schell, and Sr. Cathy Buchanan—went on a pilgrimage with other members of the Dominican Order.  This pilgrimage focused on the life and travels of St. Dominic and on the early nuns and friars who lived and ministered near Fanjeaux, France, where the Order was founded in the 13^th Century.  Sister Cathy Buchanan and Candidate Terri Schell share their experiences in the following essays.

Sister Cathy’s Reflection

My recent pilgrimage to Fanjeaux, France was just what I needed to remind me of why I’m professing vows with the Dominican Sisters of Peace in less than a month!

I began my journey running as fast as I have run in years, through the airport in Paris, even then, barely making my connecting flight to Toulouse. Then, my luggage was delayed and I fell flat on my face, tripping over the bed in my room at the monastery and that was just the first day!

Thank God, we, the 27 pilgrims on the journey together, were given the Pilgrim’s Creed on the first day of our pilgrimage, which read “I am not in control. I am not in a hurry. I walk in faith and hope. I greet everyone with peace. I bring back only what God gives me.”

The creed was a wonderful reminder to me that God is the one who is in control and setting the path and the pace of my life’s journey. I can only imagine that Dominic was reminded of this fact on occasion as well. To realize the struggles and hardships that Dominic endured as the founder of the Dominican order was a reality check for me. I was just happy there was running water in the fourteenth-century monastery we were staying at in Fanjeaux! And I could imagine Dominic praying all night long in the dark chapel in his house in Fanjeaux. From re-reading Don Goergen’s book, St. Dominic: The Story of a Preaching Friar, I was able to calculate that from 1206 to 1221 Dominic walked over 30 thousand miles during the time he was founding the Dominican order! Amazing!

This journey reminded me that I am called to be peace, build peace, and preach peace through the way I will live my vows and my life from here forward. What God gave me to bring back with me was the new understanding of what it means to be a Dominican in the 21^st century and what it means to belong to something bigger than myself. Walking through the fields in Fanjeaux, past the assassin’s cross, and praying evening prayer with the nuns in Prouilhe, these are some of the images that will stay with me for a lifetime. I am forever blessed by God to have had this opportunity to journey with Dominic’s spirit in France.

Candidate Terri Schell’s Reflection

As a candidate, praying in common with sisters has been new for me. The commitment, rhythm, and daily joining of purpose has been something I have come to treasure. One of my favorite lines from our prayer together in community is from Isaiah (52:7), describing how we are to be joyful peace bearers to the world. Isaiah says, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’”

After spending nine days walking the fields of Fanjeaux, France, and hiking in the Pyrenees mountains following the footsteps of St. Dominic, this call from Isaiah has taken on a deeper meaning for me. During our trip, we reflected on the truth that Dominic was the messenger of Isaiah’s reading of “running swiftly over the mountains and through the countryside preaching the message of peace and good news of a God who is ‘for us’ always.” This description of Dominic, with the backdrop of the mountains and rolling hills of southern France, paints a vivid picture in my heart and mind, inspiring me to “proclaim peace” and “bring good tidings” of God’s reign to others in my journey as a soon-to-be novice with the Dominican Sisters of Peace.

Dominic was overflowing with the desire to bring people to the fullness of life, preaching truth and compassion that leads to peace. His feet were certainly blessed. And they were also well-worn. As my fellow pilgrim, Sr. Cathy calculated, St. Dominic walked over 30,000 miles throughout his travels. His devotion and joy also blessed the land on which he traveled, often singing or praising God. While walking through the fields of sunflower and wheat on this nine-day pilgrimage, I could feel Dominic’s presence and encouragement. His spirit still inspires us to walk this lifelong path bearing good news and proclaiming peace in our world.

Why not start your journey exploring the landscape of Dominican life and learning about Dominic’s spirit by joining us at our upcoming Come & See retreat, September 8-10, 2023?   We will gather in the beautiful countryside in St. Catherine, Kentucky at our Motherhouse.  Click here for more information and to register.  We look forward to journeying with you and invite you to contact us to help you explore where God may be calling you.

Scripture and Quotes referenced by Terri:

Isaiah 52:7 “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’”

“[Dominic] was the messenger of Isaiah’s reading… running swiftly over the mountains and through the countryside preaching the message of peace and good news of a God who is ‘for us’ always.” Mary Ann Nelson, OP