Dominican Nun Blog

One of the "great gems discovered by many during the recent Catholic Blog Awards was the blog Moniales by the contemplative Dominican nuns of the Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary in Summit, New Jersey.

As their blog says...

"A blog from the monastery? And why not? With this blog is we share with you a bit of our Dominican monastic life.

"Dominican nuns? Yes! In fact, Dominican nuns are the firstborn of the Order of Preachers, founded by Saint Dominic a full 10 years before the friars. The nuns are the 'partners' of the Friars in the Holy Preaching. It is said that the Dominican Preacher speaks of God to men while the Dominican Nun in her cloister speaks of men to God.

"The nuns are at the heart of the Order, holding in the inmost sanctuary of their compassion, that is, in the heart, all those who St. Dominic used to cry out in the midst of the night, 'O God, what will become of sinners!'

"This 'cry of Dominic' is the cry of every Dominican Nun. It is the cry of every Dominican who is passionate for the preaching of the Good News and the salvation of souls."

From their Vocation site:

"A contemplative nun is called to live in very great intimacy with Jesus. She is called to be a spouse and mother: a spouse of Christ and mother of souls through her life of prayer and sacrifice.

"God issues His invitation in many ways-a homily, the reading of a book, the example of a friend or family member, the advice of a spiritual director…perhaps even this very website will be the means of helping you correspond to the grace of a contemplative vocation…but always God leaves you perfectly free to accept or reject His beautiful invitation to a special way of life.

"How do you know you have a Dominican contemplative vocation? First, there are usually several simple indications that you may be called to this life. Every call is different and unique. For some, the call is very clear at an early age; others come to it after much searching.

"Signs of a call to Dominican Contemplative Life

• "single woman between the ages of 21-40
• "a practicing Roman Catholic
• "fidelity and love for the Church
• "good physical and mental health
• "a joyful, generous spirit
• "willingness to learn
• "ability to live in community and in solitude
• "zeal for the salvation of souls
• "an attraction to prayer and the things of God
• "a desire to give yourself entirely to Jesus Christ

"If you have these qualifications, why wait? We invite you, as Our Lord did His first disciples to 'come and see,' and contact:"

Vocation Directress
Dominican Nuns
Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary
543 Springfield Avenue
Summit, NJ 07901-4498
Phone: 908-273-1228
e-mail: vocations.summit@op.org