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The OP after our names stands for “Order of Preachers,” the formal name of the religious order founded in 1216 by St. Dominic. As Dominicans, we preach with our lives—in both word and deed—guided by a search for truth (veritas) and a commitment to contemplate and share the fruits of our contemplation (contemplate et aliis tradere).
Our Dominican lives are shaped by the interconnecting movements of study, prayer, communal life, and ministry.
Dominic so firmly believed in the importance of study to the preaching mission that he provided a rule of “dispensation” from other responsibilities in the event they interfered with study. We are women committed to study. Through prayer and contemplation we interiorize our learnings and enter into communion with the Source of all truth. Our communal life orients us to the common good of the whole Earth community. And in ministry, our preaching takes effect.
As women of the Gospel, our preaching is also expressed in word. Read reflections on the Word of God posted by Adrian Dominican Sisters and Associates on the Praedicare Blog below.
Thursday, June 27, 2024 Isaiah 56:1,6-7 Matthew 7:24-25
On this day June 27, 1923, Bishop Gallagher of Detroit delivered an unexpected and spontaneous announcement regarding the separation of the Adrian Province from the New York Congregation. All in attendance at the commencement exercises of the Academy that day were surprised – most notably Mother Camilla Madden.
Though conversations and letters had been exchanged, and the separation was anticipated, no formal plans had yet been made. If our beginnings in Adrian, Michigan, in 1884 were recorded as ‘casual,’ our transition from a province to an Independent Congregation was certainly just as ‘casual.’
It was not until July 26 that the official letter was written and sent, but no matter. Thirty-nine years after coming to the ‘small house in the cornfield,’ the province, under the wise and loving care of Mother Camilla Madden, was now an established community of over 400 Sisters staffing schools throughout several states.
The solid foundation had been laid. Mother Camilla and the Sisters had faithfully heard God’s word. They observed what was right and just. They served God’s people; and God fulfilled the promise to be with them always, filling their house with holy joy.
Today, we remember this event. We acknowledge that from the beginning, faithful listening to God’s word created a solid foundation. A foundation built on rock. Founder’s Day is a tribute to Mother Camilla Madden, who stewarded the province from simple beginnings into a faithful congregation of women ministering and meeting the needs of the people near and far.
Founder’s Day is also a day to pause and consider our founding spirit, our charism if you will. It is a day to reflect and ask, “Where is our charism directing us now at this time?” For as we honor our past, we also look toward our future.
As we know, the Dominican charism, our inspirational spark, came into existence in 1206 with the establishment of the monastery in Prouille, France. This spark, this gift of the Spirit, this rock on which we have built our house, has captured the hearts of many through the centuries. And it has been uniquely shaped over time by those called to bring it to life for the service of the world.
Mary Pellegrino, CSJ, writes that a charism is a “particular facet of the likeness of God that people or groups reflect in particular ways.” It “distinguishes one religious community from another.” It is the founding inspiration pulsing with energy at the center of the community.1
As we honor the past, and look to the future, what expression of charism rises up in you? What likeness of God is revealed and shines in you? In us?
As we honor the past and look to the future, we can trust that our faithfulness to the charism will point us in the right direction. As we faithfully tend to God’s call, observing what is right and just, and serving God’s sacred Earth community, we can trust that our God will fulfill the promise made and will be with us always, filling our house with holy joy.
A recording of this liturgy is available in the Congregation's public video library.
1“Life on the Margins: Charismatic Principles for Modern Religious” by Mary Pellegrino, CSJ, for America Magazine, https://www.americamagazine.org/issue/life-margins (Faith in Focus section), October 16, 2013.
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Preach With Your Life - Video series by Adrian Dominican Sisters