Graduation

For the past five years Sr Niamh and Sr M Teresa have participated in the distance learning programme from Maryvale University, Birmingham.  They have been studying theology very diligently while participating fully in our daily contemplative life.  So our whole community rejoiced with them when they recently graduated with first class honours in Bachelor of Divinity.  Here they are shown with their certificates which they received in the post as they did not go to Maryvale for the Graduation Ceremony on the 21st November -   Instead we  had our own community celebration!
Dobby one of our cats looks on approvingly from the roof top while the photo was being taken!

Study is an essential element in the life of Dominican Nuns - Our Constitutions encourage "a methodical study of sacred truth, according to the capacity of the individual, as a fruitful preparation for lectio divina and an aid to human maturity" - study also "nourishes contemplation" and helps us live our life with a more "enlightened fidelity".

Being able to participate in a distance learning course is a greatly appreciated by us contemplatives who observe the law of enclosure. The sisters have found this study very beneficial. Maryvale also offer short courses for those who find 5 years too intimidating. www.maryvale.ac.uk
Distance learning Theology courses are also on offer from our Irish Dominicans www.prioryinstitute.com.

Reflections on St Dominic (5) - "The Light of Learning"

As we continue our Novena to St Dominic. I thought it would be nice to reflect on St. Dominic with St. Catherine, as revealed to here by God the Father in “The Dialogue.”

 

 And look at the ship of your father Dominic, my beloved son. He governed it with a perfect rule, asking [his followers] to be attentive only to my honor and the salvation of souls with the light of learning. He wished to build his foundation on this light, while not for all that giving up true and voluntary poverty …

But for his more proper object he took the light of learning in order to stamp out the errors that were rising up at that time. He took up the task of the Word, my only-begotten Son. Clearly he appeared as an apostle in the world, with such truth and light did he sow my word, dispelling the darkness and giving light. He was a light that I offered the world through Mary and sent into the mystic body of holy Church as an uprooter of heresies. Why did I say “through Mary”? Because Mary gave him the habit – a task my goodness entrusted to her.

Where would he have his children eat by the light of learning? At the table of the cross. On that cross is set the table of holy desire where one eats souls for love of me. He wanted his children to do nothing else but stand at this table by the light of learning to seek only the glory and praise of my name and the salvation of souls. And so that they might attend to nothing else, he relieved them of worry about temporal things and wanted them to be poor. Was he lacking in faith or did he fear they would not be provided for? Certainly not, for he was clothed in faith and trusted firmly in my providence. …

So Dominic set his ship in order by rigging it with three strong ropes: obedience, continence, and true poverty. He made it thoroughly royal by not tying it to the guilt of deadly sin. Enlightened by me, the true light, he was providing for those who were less perfect. For, though all who observe the rule are perfect, still even in [this way of] life one is more perfect than another, and both the perfect and the not-so-perfect fare well on this ship. Dominic allied himself with my Truth by showing that he did not want the sinner to die but rather to be converted and live. He made his ship very spacious, gladsome, and fragrant, a most delightful garden.

Attending an Online Summer School

Once again, as good Dominicans we are preparing through communal study to celebrate our Founder's feast next week (8th August). We are in the middle of a two week Online Summer School run by the Priory Institute. 

The course is called "Communion - The Church's Self-Understanding"  and it is excellent. We strongly recommend it to anyone reading this. It is given by Fr John Harris OP and deals with "the central teaching of the Second Vatican Council." It is a series of 10 lectures over two weeks and because it is online we can watch the lecture at any time of the day, and if we have to skip a day we can just watch it the next day. 

For more information, or to register, visit the Priory Institute's Summer School page - here.

Prayer and Study Online

As good Dominicans we are preparing through prayer (see our Novena) and study to celebrate our Founder's feast next week (8th August). Well, the study part just happens to coincide with the run-up to St Dominic's Feast Day, but we're finding it very beneficial. We are in the middle of a two week Online Summer School run by the Priory Institute in collaboration with Domuni. 

We are following the course on "The Gospels and the call to Discipleship" and finding it excellent. It is a series of 10 lectures over two weeks and because it is online we can watch the lecture at any time of the day, and if we have to skip a day we can just watch it the next day. In fact, we will be watching the last lecture (Friday 8th) on Saturday, being busy celebrating on Friday!! This course will  be run again from the 11th of August and from the 25th August.

There is also a course on "The Sacraments as Channels of Life", offered on the same basis. For more information, or to register, visit the Priory Institute's Summer School page - here.

Information - The Gospels and the call to Discipleship.


Information - The Sacraments as Channels of Life.

April 5th is fast approaching!

To anyone interested in exploring the possibility of a Dominican Vocation ..

whether to our Brothers, our apostolic Sisters, our Lay Dominican brothers and sisters, or ourselves the nuns ...

Doesn't it look interesting? 

Who are these people? 

What do they do? 

What is so attractive about being a Dominican? 

And what does OP stand for? 

Did you know the Dominican Family is as expansive as it is?

Why not consider having your questions answered, by coming along to the day and meeting some of us?

Do be sure to get in touch beforehand, as places are limited, and we can get to know you a little before you come.