Newly Formed Association of Dominican Nuns Holds First Meeting

DATELINE [November 27, 2006] The first meeting of a newly created association of Dominican Monasteries was held November 1-6, Elmira NY. The meeting marks the beginning of a new chapter in Dominican monastic life in the US. The group of nine monasteries is an outgrowth of a continuing process that has evolved over the last 25 years.

The Conference of Dominican Nuns was formed in 1975 and functioned to enable exchange among the monasteries and provided for collaborative efforts especially in the areas of formation, intercommunication and finances. In 2000, CICLSAL (the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life ) called for a formalization of the collaboration the nuns had developed and since then, the nuns have worked to effect that request.

On May 27, 2006, CICLSAL issued the decree of erection of the Association of the Monasteries of Nuns of the Order of Preachers in the United States of America, and confirmed the Association Statutes. The first meeting of the Association Council took place at the Monastery of Mary the Queen, Elmira, NY.

The purpose of the Association, as described in its Statutes, is “to foster the monastic, contemplative life of the member monasteries in the spirit of St. Dominic, and at the same time to support and strengthen the spirit of cooperation and communion among them.”

The new Association is a continuation of the oringial Conference and its good works, which include two publications: Association Sharings (newsletter) and Dominican Monastic Search (an annual journal of theology and spirituality). In addition, meetings for novice mistresses and prioresses take place; and a program for ongoing formation within the monasteries is pursued. The association is also sponsoring a number of projects for the celebration of our 800th anniversary.

The Association Council members include:President , Sr. Mary John, OP (Lufkin), Vice-President, Sr. Mary Rose, OP (Farmington Hills), Secretary, Sr. Mary of the Sacred Heart, OP (Menlo Park), Councillor, Sr. Mary Martin, OP (Summit), Councillor, Sr. David Marie, OP (Elmira). The Treasurer, Sr. Maria Christine (Menlo Park) was also present although she is not a voting member of the Council. Likewise, Fr. Dominic Izzo, OP (St. Joseph's Province) the priest-consultant, was present.

The Association Monasteries include: Corpus Christi Monastery, Bronx, NY; Monastery of Mary the Queen, Elmira, NY; Monastery of the Blessed Sacrament, Farmington Hills, MI; Monastery of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Lancaster, PA; Monastery of the Angels, Los Angeles, CA; Monastery of the Infant Jesus, Lufkin, TX; Corpus Christi Monastery, Menlo Park, CA; Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary, Summit, NJ; and Rosary Monastery, Port of Spain, Trinidad. Two other monasteries are affiliated with the Association: Monastere Notre-Dame du Rosaire, Berthierville, PQ, Canada and Monastery of St. Jude, Marbury, AL.

Monasteries who have opted not to join the Association can still join if they wish.

For further information contact: Sr. Mary of the Sacred Heart, O.P., Corpus Christi Monastery, 215 Oak Grove Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025, nunsmenlo@comcast.net


Sr. Mary Martin, OP (Summit)