Two Women Begin Initial Formation with Congregation

April 29, Adrian, Michigan – The Adrian Dominican Sisters had special reason to rejoice this year on the Feast of St. Catherine of Siena, April 29, when two young women formally began their initial formation with the Congregation. The Entrance Rite of Adela Iuliana Langa and Roye-Nicholle Miles took place during Vespers in St. Catherine Chapel, in the presence of their family and friends; colleagues; Adrian Dominican Sisters and Associates; and other women in initial formation.

Speaking on behalf of Sister Donna Markham, OP, Prioress of the Congregation, and of the General Council and the Formation Office, Sister Mary Soher, OP, welcomed the assembly to the Rite of Entrance. In particular, she welcomed Roye-Nicholle’s parents, Lynda and Benton Miles, and Adela’s pastor and fellow parishioners of St. Aloysius Church in Bowling Green, Ohio; and friends and colleagues from Bowling Green State University.

After Sister Durstyne Farnan, OP, Vocation Director, formally proclaimed the readiness of Adela and Roye-Nicholle to enter into a period of “full discernment,” Sister Donna called them forward. Adela declared her intent to “become an Adrian Dominican Sister and to continue dancing with God” and asked for the community’s prayer, support, and guidance. Roye-Nicholle declared her own intent to develop a “deeper and richer faith experience” and a life of service with the Congregation.

Welcoming the two women into a year of “mutual discernment for vowed life,” Sister Donna presented them with copies of the Congregation’s Mission Statement, which was then proclaimed by the Adrian Dominican sisters and associates in the assembly. Sister Donna encouraged the new candidates to continue their discernment, listen to God’s voice, and “seek and find your treasure.”  

Both of the candidates made long journeys – literally and metaphorically – to come to the Adrian Dominican Congregation. Adela, a native of Romania, earned her bachelor’s degree in English and French at Babes-Bolyai University, Romania, in 2000. Five years later, she earned her master’s degree in English, with a specialization in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.

After graduation from Bowling Green University, Adela taught composition for a year at Morton College in Cicero, Illinois, and at College of Du Page in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. In 2006, she returned to Bowling Green University, where she served in the Office of Advising and Academic Success and in the university’s Writing Center as a writing specialist.

Adela learned about the Adrian Dominicans during a bus ride from Toledo to Chicago, when she providentially sat next to Sister Ann Patrice Remkus, OP. She was deeply impressed by Sister Ann Patrice’s love for her community and, at her recommendation, read the works of Henri Nouwen and visited the Adrian Dominicans’ Motherhouse. Sister Ann Patrice has served as Adela’s mentor.

 “Visiting the sisters, spending time with them, learning about their own journeys and ministries challenged my preconceived ideas about religious life, as well as my life priorities,” she said. After discovering how much she had in common with the sisters, Adela concluded that “in order to stay true to who I am, I could only respond with a yes to this mysterious calling. The Adrian Dominican mission and vision resonate with my longing for a deeper relationship with God, and I look forward to journeying with the sisters,” she said.

For Roye-Nicholle, entering the Adrian Dominican Congregation is the answer to a lifelong search. “Ever since I remember, I have always felt a strong desire to go into a life of service to others and to God,” she said. “I came to a point where I wanted to do more than just make money for a company. I want to experience love on another level, to really reach out to people.”

The daughter of Benton and Lynda Miles and sister of Wendy Hinton and Paul Miles, Roye-Nicholle comes to Adrian from Henderson, Nevada, the location of St. Rose Dominican Hospitals, a sponsored institution of the Adrian Dominicans. Her home parish is St. Thomas More Catholic Community in Henderson.

Roye-Nicholle earned an associate in applied science degree in orthotics and prosthetics from Oklahoma State University and was certified as an orthotic fitter through the American Board of Certification. At the time of her entrance, Roye-Nicholle was an orthotic fitter for Orthopedic Motion, Inc., in Las Vegas.

Roye-Nicholle is enthusiastic about this next chapter in her life. “I want to share my faith, to expand my horizons, to open new doors and see where God leads me,” she said. “I am excited to begin this new journey with the Adrian Dominican Sisters.”

The candidacy year is a period of mutual discernment between the candidate and the Congregation, a time for the two parties to determine whether God is calling the woman to join her life with the Adrian Dominican Sisters. During their candidacy, Adela and Roye-Nicholle will live in community in the formation house in Adrian. They will devote their time to coming to know individual sisters and the history and mission of the Congregation, and will take part in regular meetings with the formation director; theological study; and ministry at the motherhouse, Siena Heights University, St. Joseph Academy, or other suitable ministry sites.