Sisters, Friars and Guests Gather to Celebrate
Foundation of Dominican Sisters of Peace

April 23, St. Louis, Missouri – 450 sisters, friars and guests came together in St. Louis on April 14 to celebrate the founding event for the newly formed Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of Peace. The official date of the founding was Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009.

The Dominican Sisters of Peace is a merger of the Dominican Congregations of St. Rose of Lima, Oxford, Michigan; St. Mary, New Orleans; the Dominican Sisters of Great Bend, Kansas; the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs, Columbus, Ohio; the Dominicans of St. Catharine of Siena, St. Catharine, Kentucky; the Eucharistic Missionaries of St. Dominic, New Orleans; and the Dominican Sisters of St. Dominic of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Akron, Ohio.

The New Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of Peace

The day began with an event celebrating fire and water. Each of the seven prioresses carried a flame forward and together lit the paschal candle. Then each sister presented water – the other great symbol of the Easter feast – which she had brought from the oceans, lakes, rivers, bayous and canals of her region. Water from Caleruega, Spain, St. Dominic’s birthplace, was also added. It was poured into bowls and brought to a central fountain to be used later during the sprinkling rite of the Liturgy.

Then each new Dominican Sister of Peace stood and promised to hold their story and history while leaving a place for new memories to be made. They further promised to recognize the diverse gifts and creativity that enrich the new community and to choose a new direction, both prophetic and joyful. All of the guests promised to support the Dominican Sisters of Peace as they carry forth their new mission.

Carlos Azpiroz-Costa, OP, Master of the Order of Preachers, addressed the assembly. He spoke of images of the family: warm acceptance, care of one another, dialogue, meek heart, trust and prudence. He reminded us that Dominic brought together seven monasteries in Rome and asked sisters from Prouilhe, France to come to Rome and teach them the Order. Father Carlos also asked the sisters joining together to teach us the Order.

Father Carlos was the celebrant at a joyful Liturgy. Don Goergen, OP, the homilist, reminded us of Jesus’ word, “Peace,” said so often to the disciples. The disciples had to reorganize their lives to receive this word of Jesus. How open are we to conversion? Father Don reminded us that we can’t pour new wine into old wine skins. Our old wine skins were created in the 1970’s, ’80’s and ’90’s. We have new wine. Will we allow God to make all things new? Do we trust in God? God does difficult, strange things. We can’t do all the planning. The resurrection tells us that tomorrow is different from today.

Adrian Dominican Sisters and General Councilors Sister Rosa Monique Peña, OP, and sister Mary Kay Homan, OP with Carlos Azpiroz-Costa, OP, Master of the Order of Preachers after the Dominican Sisters of Peace celebration.

Father Don challenged us by asking, “Am I open to this conversion?” We must follow Mary Magdalene in our witness of the Risen Lord. Father Don reminded us that we are asked the same question Jesus asked Mary: “Whom do you seek?” He affirmed that we have all seen the Lord, but do we preach what we have seen? We have to let the world know that the charism of St. Dominic is alive today. We cannot slip back into “business as usual.” Father Don shared his gratitude, as our brother, for the courageous step being taken by the Dominican Sisters of Peace.

After a festive banquet, Sister Toni Harris, OP, co-promoter of justice and peace for the Order, gave the keynote address. The theme for the new congregation’s first General Chapter is “Preaching with a New Fire.” Sister Toni noted the many metaphors for fire: passion for justice; the Gospel call to walk on two feet, charity and justice; fuel for cooking the bread of our lives, broken and shared; enlightening torch; a beacon united with our contemplation; and hearth, which calls to us when so many millions are displaced from their homes. This is a special opportunity, a moment to renew the Holy Preaching. Sister Toni concluded with a warning not to let the Dominican Sisters of Peace be “just a more efficient way to manage apostolic religious life. Don’t let this window of opportunity close.” We welcome the seed of this foundation as we are celebrating 800 years of the founding of the Dominican order, she said, noting that the seven congregations collectively represent 840 years of history.

The founding event served as a prelude to the new congregation’s first General Chapter. On April 18, the delegates elected their leadership: Sister Margaret Ormond, OP, Prioress; and Councilors Sister Joan Scanlon, OP; Sister Gene Poore, OP; Sister Therese Leckert, OP; and Sister Gemma Doll, OP.

Submitted by Sister Mary Kay Homan, OP,Adrian Dominican Sisters,General Councilor