Last fall about 25 Sisters made the 30-mile drive from Sacred Heart Convent to the Dominican Monastery of Mary the Queen, Girard, for the first-ever local Dominican Family study day involving these two branches of the Order of Preachers. The event brought together the apostolic sisters and the nuns on the feast of Dominican luminary St. Juan Macias. The theme was “Pilgrims of Hope.” Together they explored a spiritual and practical response to the climate crisis and the importance of synodality and Dominican friendship for the mission all Dominicans share in common: preaching the Gospel.
“It was enriching to share the day together, enjoy one another’s company, and study topics so important to the us as consecrated women in the church,” said Sister Marie Michelle Hackett, who helped coordinate the day.
A second event is planned for Sept. 23, 2026. This time the gathering is scheduled to take place at Sacred Heart Convent. The theme is The Beauty that Saves: Art and the Order of Preachers. The sisters and nuns will explore visual art as a means of preaching by studying the spirituality and painting styles of 15th century Dominican artist Fra Angelico, and Sister Plautilla Nelli, a prolific but little-known Dominican artist of the 16th century.
