Vocations
What is a Vocation?
A vocation to the religious life is gift
from God the Father to the individual. It is also a beneficial gift
to the Church. It is the total consecration of self for the love and
service of Jesus Christ through a life of dedicated service in the
Church. The religious stands as a prophetic sign of the supreme good
and destiny that all will find in God alone.
Throughout history God has raised up those who desire to live their baptismal consecration in a more radical way in imitation of Christ who was chaste, poor and obedient. Thus the consecrated life 'constitutes... an abiding re-enactment in the Church' of Christ's of Christ's own way of life. (Vita Consecrata 22., quoting Lumen Gentium 44.)
Formation
The initial stage of formation is known as 'postulancy'. In our
Congregation this lasts one year. Postulants live within the
cloister as part of the community. It is a time of learning about
our life and Dominican practices and customs. Initial formation is
also given in the spiritual life, the reading of Scripture and in
the history and theology of the Order. Two years novitiate follow
postulancy. The first or 'canonical' year is a special time in which
the novice is given more time for personal prayer and spiritual
reading. In addition there is theological and personal formation
under the guidance of the novice mistress.
Enquiries If you think you may have a vocation to the Dominican Order, or would simply like to know more or come for a visit, contact Sister Michelle Hawkes O.P. at the following address:
Saint Dominic's Priory, Shirley Holms Road, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 8NH or email srmichelle.hawkes@dominicansrs.co.uk