By
Solemn Profession as a Dominican Nun,
a woman is totally consecrated to God
in the Order of Preachers until death.
Preparation for this consecration
normally involves a one year postulancy,
a two year novitiate,
and four or more years in temporary vows.
THE GOALS OF FORMATION
The purpose of the formation period is to enable the sister to appropriate the various elements of our way of life that through them she may continually direct her life onward to that perfect love of God and neighbor which is effective in caring for and obtaining the salvation of all people. The structures of the novitiate and the content of the formation program are based on the authentic sources of Dominican monastic life and ordered to the progressive integration of the sisters into this way of life as it is defined in the Rule of Saint Augustine and the Constitutions of the Nuns of the Order of Preachers. The Dominican tradition provides a coherent vision of truth and a distinctive body of practical Christian wisdom which directs all aspects of the formation process.
It is in the person and work of Saint Dominic, who established the first nuns in their way of life, that we find the principal sources of Dominican monastic life. Saint Dominic wished that the nuns draw the inspiration for their life from the perennial source of Christian life - the word of God. Further, Saint Dominic gave these women the observances which formed the ancient tradition of monastic life in the church, imbuing them with his own apostolic spirit. Finally he associated the nuns with his 'holy preaching' in the manner proper to their way of life and carefully formed them in the spirit and mission of the Order.
Formation in Dominican monastic life, then, is based on these three principal sources: Sacred Scripture, the monastic tradition and its Dominican expression. These sources are integrally and harmoniously related, forming a way of life which is one yet manifold in its richness.
Sacred Scripture
The following of Christ according to the Gospels is the basis of our way of life. Our Constitutions, especially the Fundamental Constitution of the Nuns, clearly define the content and goal of our life in terms of the word of God. All aspects of formation, from the earliest instruction given in the novitiate emphasize the scriptures as the source and ambience of our way of life, a life continually nourished by the word of God not only in the hours given directly to prayer, liturgy and lectio divina (prayerful reading of the Scriptures) but also pondered during the hours of study and work.
From the beginning of their formation the sisters are initiated into the practice of lectio divina. Sufficient practical instruction in this way of prayer and an explanation of its meaning and place within the tradition as well as its essential role in their life are important aspects of this initiation.
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A structured program of scripture study is essential aspect of the initial years of formation. Such study offers a fruitful preparation for the celebration of the liturgy and for lectio divina, and helps provide the necessary foundation for a life that is based on the word of God.
The Monastic Tradition
Our life is further specified by the monastic tradition which, from its beginnings, was understood as a response to the Gospel and a life free for God alone. Our appropriation of this tradition enables us to fulfill our mission as Nuns of the Order of Preachers and, among the diversity of gifts given by the Spirit to the Order, express our specific identity. Of special significance for us is the Augustinian tradition of monastic life which calls us to express anew the apostolic community of the first Christians.
The study of the history and spirituality of the monastic tradition forms an important part of our formation program. Special attention is given to the primary sources of this tradition since these ancient texts help transmit what is essential in our life. From these sources are derived the observances which constitute our way of life. These observances are rooted in realistic experience and practical wisdom and are essential to a life of fidelity to the word of God. Perennial values are embodied, maintained and served by these observances. Therefore, in view of the rapid pace of change in today's society, it is important that those in formation come to grasp the role of these observances in fostering growth in Dominican life.
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The Dominican Tradition
The Dominican tradition is reflected in the way the monastic observances are ordered in our Constitutions. This tradition enables the sisters to understand and appreciate these observances and their relationship to the goal of our life.
The liturgy plays a primary role in formation to Dominican life. The daily celebration of the Eucharist and the Hours and the yearly cycle of the mysteries of Christ are the means by which we become increasingly conformed to Christ and enter more deeply into the life of the Trinity. Instruction in the liturgy is offered in order to facilitate a fuller participation in the liturgical life of the monastery.
The devotional life fostered among those in formation is based on sound doctrinal principles and is in harmony with the liturgy. Devotion to Christ in the Eucharist, to Mary, the Mother of God and to Saint Dominic are the principal Dominican devotions.
Within our tradition the Thomistic theology of grace and of the virtues, based as it is on an anthropology that is truly Christian, furnishes a reliable foundation for human and spiritual growth. A thorough grounding in the principles of the spiritual life which flow from this theological tradition provides guidance and direction for those in formation.
Because of the necessity of transmitting the theological tradition of our Order, and especially the integral relationship between our doctrinal tradition and all aspects of Dominican life and spirituality, a systematic program of theological study, specifically geared to the needs of those living the contemplative life, is provided during the years of formation.
Our constitutions specify the addition of the assiduous study of sacred truth as an essential element among our observances. Because study is formative both as a discipline and as a means of human and personal growth, the development of a habit of serious and consistent study, integrated into the daily life of the monastery, is an important aspect of the formation period.
The formation program also aims at cultivating an awareness of the uniqueness of the Dominican system of government which requires the ordered and responsible participation of all in striving to achieve the aims of the order.
Finally, a knowledge of the various branches of the Dominican family and the relationship which springs from our common origin, spirit and goals is communicated to those in formation. Of special import is the manner of the nuns' association with the 'holy preaching' of the friars, sisters and laity of the Order.
THE PROCESS OF FORMATION
By Solemn Profession as a Dominican Nun a woman is totally consecrated to God in the Order of Preachers until death. Preparation for this consecration normally involves a one year postulancy, a two year novitiate, and four or more years in temporary vows. Because of the radical nature of the vocation admission and formation in Dominican monastic life is a long slow process.
Great care is exercised in the admission process. This requires sufficient personal contact with the candidate over a period of time, particularly on the part of the mistress of novices, so that an informed judgment can be made by both the candidate and the community. Following an initial contact period of at least six months a candidate may be invited to make an aspirancy.
The aspirancy is a period of time which a woman, who manifests positive indications of a call to our life, spends within the enclosure for the purpose of further discerning that call. It gives the candidate a practical experience of daily life in the monastery and tests her aptitude for it before she makes the personal arrangements necessary before entering the postulancy. The aspirant is under the direction of the mistress of novices and participates to some extent in the common life of the monastery and the novitiate. When possible four to six weeks is desirable for the aspirancy period. When the aspirancy is completed the aspirant ordinarily leaves the monastery to allow for due evaluation on both sides.
The postulancy constitutes the first phase of formation. It is primarily a time of transition from secular life to Dominican monastic life. The postulant is gradually introduced into a way of life radically different from life "in the world." The content of the instruction during this period is oriented to acquiring an understanding of vocation, the principles of monastic life and the distinctive characteristics of Dominican life.
The novitiate period is a time of further growth during which the various components of our life are gradually and harmoniously integrated. This integration is effected not only by the teaching of appropriate behavior and the transmission of knowledge but by the handing on of an entire way of life with its own proper spirit and mentality. The areas of instruction that are especially consonant with the novitiate period are the vows and religious consecration, the Dominican and monastic tradition, and the theology and history of the spiritual life.
The period of temporary vows is a new phase of formation which should reap the fruits of the preceding phases, and benefit from the stability derived from profession. It aims at strengthening the fidelity of the newly professed while it constitutes a prolonged preparation for solemn profession. This period is a time of maturing in the life of the nuns of the Order, of deeper integration of the sisters into the community, and of growth in their sense of responsibility for its life. Following the Augustinian tradition of monastic life they will come to recognize that their own personal progress is closely linked to their relationships with the other members of the community. A program of systematic theological formation ordinarily forms the content of the instruction and study proper to this period. By Solemn Profession as a Dominican Nun a woman is totally consecrated to God in the Order of Preachers until death.
Adapted from the Ratio
Formationis Generalis
for the Nuns of the Order of Preachers
If you are a single Catholic
woman under the age of 45,
with at least two years of college
or equivalent work experience,
in good physical and psychological health
and are considering a vocation to cloistered monastic life
please contact the vocation director at:
Our Lady of Grace Monastery
Dominican Nuns
11 Race Hill Road
North Guilford, CT 06437-1099
(203) 457-0599 or (203) 457-1985
OR
Please include your mailing address and telephone number with e-mails.
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