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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.
Friday, June 27, 2025 Matthew 7:24-27
Good morning!
On November 8, 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan – locally known as Yolanda – struck the central part of the Philippines, a catastrophic storm that left a trail of destruction in its wake. My family was among the countless victims. We lost everything, including our means of livelihood. The death toll soared into the thousands, with coastal communities bearing the impact of the tragedy. As we know, the Philippines is an archipelago facing the vast Pacific Ocean, especially vulnerable to such natural disasters. In coastal areas, homes often lack stable foundations due to shifting sand and limited solid ground. Yet in the absence of a storm, life by the sea can feel like a piece of paradise.
The Gospel today contrasts two builders: one who builds on rock and another on sand. The rock symbolizes strength, stability, and a firm foundation while the sand represents instability of things built on a poor foundation and superficiality.
Historically, Jesus' audience would have understood the significance of a strong foundation. Houses built on solid rock were far more resilient than those on shifting sand, especially during seasonal storms.
Today, we are celebrating our 102nd Foundation Anniversary. One hundred two years of existence as Adrian Dominican Sisters founded on rock by a very determined woman, who did not give up laying the foundation of our Congregation until her death on January 8, 1924. Founded on love – I say love, because whoever could endure such huge tasks as that of Mother Camilla Madden without a big heart – we are now reaping the fruits of that labor.
Mathew’s Gospel on building a foundation on a rock has deep relevance in our present world. In a time of uncertainty, rapid change, and shifting values, people seek stability, something solid to build their lives upon.
Like many other congregations in the U.S. and other countries, we are seeking firm footing upon which to build a future grounded in hope, love, strength, and stability. The invitation to engage in open dialogue about what lies ahead of us is vital, as it will enable us to shape a shared life founded on enduring principles. We look to Mother Camilla as a guiding light – her legacy is a foundation built with wisdom, love, charity, and a clear, unwavering vision of what the future could be.
Builders like Mother Camilla are visionaries. With a keen sensitivity to what lies ahead, they lay the foundation of their structures with foresight and precision, thoughtfully preparing the ground for what is yet to rise. Mother Camilla’s precision and foresight for the future continue to guide us today as we discern our future that is still unknown.
It is our work now to discern how to build our future. Should we build it upon a rock or sand? The choice is ours!
word.op.org - International Dominican Preaching Page
Catholic Women Preach - Featuring deep spirituality and insights from women
Preach With Your Life - Video series by Adrian Dominican Sisters