| Q. |
Do I have to be a Catholic to become a sister? |
| A. |
Yes, it is necessary to be a practicing, fully-initiated member of the Catholic Church, that is, having received the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. |
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| Q. |
Do you have an age limit? |
| A. |
Yes, women are invited to enter into the discernment process between the ages of 19-35. Those who are older than the norm will be considered on an individual basis. |
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| Q. |
Why is there an age limit? |
| A. |
We are an active, apostolic Congregation. A woman's ability to make the transition into a new lifestyle and to actively minister for a significant period of time after the initial incorporation process are central issues in the discernment conversation. |
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| Q. |
Do I need a college education? |
| A. |
No. We ask that a woman have a high school education and minimally two years of college or working experience after high school before applying to enter. |
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| Q. |
Can a divorced woman become an Adrian Dominican Sister? |
| A. |
Yes, as long as she has obtained an annulment from the Church and is a practicing Catholic. |
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Q.
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What if a woman is a convert to Catholicism? |
| A. |
Generally, we ask that a woman enter into the prayer, sacramental and service life of her parish community for a year or two after her time of reception before seeking entrance into our Congregation. |
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| Q. |
Do we accept widows? |
| A. |
Yes. There needs to be sufficient time after the death of a spouse to allow the woman to heal and adjust to her life circumstances before entering religious life. |
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| Q. |
What if I have a child or children? |
| A. |
Children need to be over twenty-one, self-sufficient, and self-supporting. A woman who enters the Congregation needs to be free to enter fully into the formation process. |
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| Q. |
Do I need to sell my house or condo and turn over all financial assets to the
Congregation when I enter? |
| A. |
No. A woman can make whatever arrangements for her property, possessions, and finances that will free her from being burdened by administrative responsibilities and enable her to enter fully into the formation process. |
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| Q. |
Can a woman continue to have contacts with family members and friends when she enters the Congregation? |
| A. |
Yes, as community, formation and study obligations permit. It is expected that the woman be present for local community and Congregation events. The Congregation will pay for a woman to visit home once a year if her family lives at a distance. |
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| Q. |
Would a woman’s skills and training be used in the Congregation? |
| A. |
A woman’s skills and training would be acknowledged and utilized as she moves into a ministry. Critically important to her formation is the integration of spirituality and study of theology and scripture as needed. It is also important that her skills and training be consonant with the Congregation’s priorities in mission and ministry. |
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| Q. |
What can I do to know if I have a call to vowed life as a sister? |
| A. |
Pray and ask God's help to discern your vocation in life. Seek information from the Vocations Director. Participate in a “Come and See” experience to discern with others if the Adrian Dominican Sisters life is for you! Know that the Adrian Dominican Sisters are praying for you. |
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| Q. |
What does "OP" after your name mean? |
| A. |
The OP means Order of Preachers, the name given to the group that St. Dominic founded when it was formally recognized by Pope Honorius III in 1217. |
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| Q. |
What was the foundation for the life of the preacher? |
| A. |
Dominic believed that the preaching should be supported by study in order that the preached word would not be an empty word; by community, where the preacher found support and challenge; by a life of reflection on the Gospel message and contemplation; and by ministry, especially with those more in need on the margins of society. Study, community, prayer and ministry continue to be the four pillars of Dominican life today. |
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| Q. |
Do the Dominicans have a motto? |
| A. |
There are several: Veritas, Latin for Truth; Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare, Latin for to praise, to bless, to preach; and Contemplata aliis tradere, Latin for to contemplate and share the fruits of contemplation. |
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| Q. |
How do Dominicans pray? |
| A. |
In our Congregation, we are encouraged to pray each day. Personal, contemplative and communal prayer center our lives in mission. We look to Scripture as a primary source for sustaining our relationship with God and one another, and we participate in the liturgical life of the whole Church, in its prayer and sacraments. |