Young Dominican Mission Team
‘You are the light of the world’

By Sean Mundy, Dominican Young Adults USA

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
—Matthew 5:14-17

In early April, the Young Dominican Mission Team, consisting of Dominican Young Adults (DYA), USA members, visited Dominican University, River Forest, Illinois, to talk about their Dominican experience.

The “Dominican Experience” consisted of humorous introductions to the three Mission Team members, Sean Mundy of Tarrytown, New York; Michelle Schultz of Chicago, and Dan Cummings of Ridgewood, New Jersey, which delved into some of the speakers’ “super secret secrets.” An icebreaker followed in which participants got to learn a little something about their fellow attendees.

Next, Dan Cummings gave a witness talk entitled “When the flame is weakened—the challenges of pursuing your calling in a time of economic struggle”. Michelle Schultz followed with “When the flame was exceptionally bright—the joys and successes of living a Dominican-infused lifestyle.” Sean Mundy then spoke about “Dominican spirituality—what it encompasses and how young people can get involved.”

Discussion questions guided smaller group dialogue about calling and vocation, daily motivation, and infusing spirituality into one’s life. The evening culminated with a moving candle ceremony, which encouraged all the participants to take their candles and go light the world.

After the recent news of the momentum of the Dominican youth movement in Puerto Rico, the members of the Young Dominican Mission Team heard even more great news! A few students at Dominican University of River Forest would like to reestablish the local chapter that had once been a part of the Dominican Young Adults, USA.

Both the young and the “young-ish” Dominicans in attendance thoroughly enjoyed the presentation! Here are some of the comments from the evaluation surveys:

“You were all amazing. I loved your energy and enthusiasm for Christ. It’s very clear that you love what you do.”

“I loved them. They were fantastic and great. Very inspiring.”

“They were funny and relatable.”

“Very heartfelt and compassionate.”

“Really presented information in a Dominican way—engaging, exciting, funny.”

“It was great learning about the young Dominicans and how I can continue in my Dominican experience at the college level and beyond.”

The presentation was a success, and the seeds were planted for the continuance of Dominican spirituality in our young people.