Posted August 22, 2019

Do a quick internet search of the phrase “Catholic Sister.” You’re likely to see lots of women praying in a beautiful church or posing for group photos – but not a lot of action.

The Dominican Sisters of Peace want to show young women who are discerning their call to religious life a different picture – a group of religious sisters in action, sisters who are praying, preaching, standing with the marginalized, working to protect Earth, and collaborating with other groups for non-violence.

For this reason, the Dominican Sisters of Peace are opening their doors to Catholic women age 18-45 from Sept. 13-15 at a Come and See Retreat that will take place at the congregation’s farm and ecology center in St. Catharine, KY.

The Come and See Retreat allows women listening to God’s voice to meet, pray and share with women of faith. This weekend retreat also allows interested women to experience religious life first hand – from daily prayers to study to the joys of community life.

“Many women have preconceived ideas about what it’s like to live with or to be a religious Sister,” said Sr. Mai-dung Nguyen, Vocations Minister for the Dominican Sisters of Peace. “Coming from a strong Vietnamese culture to a predominantly white culture presented some challenges for me. But I found Sisters who were patient, who reached out to me and encouraged me, and who were willing to journey with me, and I found myself at home with the Sisters in my community. I hope that this Come and See retreat will help other young women see the joy of religious and community life.”

The Come and See Retreat is free, and lodging and meals will be provided at the Motherhouse. The retreat will begin at 4:00 pm on Sept. 13, and conclude after Mass at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15.

The St. Catharine Motherhouse and Farm are located about one hour southeast of Louisville, KY, and one hour southwest of Lexington, KY. Some travel assistance may be available.

To register, visit the congregation’s website at oppeace.org, or contact Sister Mai-dung Nguyen, vocations minister, at 405-248-7027 or mdnguyen@oppeace.org.

The Dominican Sisters of Peace, members of the Order of Preachers, are vowed Catholic women who strive to spread the Gospel of Christ and advance the kingdom of God through lives of service and peace-making. The sisters are present in 22 U.S. states, as well as in Nigeria and Peru. The Sisters serve others through providing education, health care, spirituality, pastoral care and prison ministry, and through instruction in the arts and the care of creation. At present, there are 439 sisters and more than 600 lay associates affiliated with the congregation.