God is calling you.
Yes, you have a vocation. So does every person. Because everyone has been created by God for a purpose.
Could God be calling you to be the hands and feet of Christ as a member of the Order of Preachers?
Explore the Possibility
The preaching mission of Jesus is just as necessary today—and just as inspiring—as it was for St. Dominic de Guzman and his sisters and brothers in the Order of Preachers 800 years ago. The preachers, pastoral leaders, educators, and artists of the 13th century labored, as we do now,
- to respond like Jesus to the needs of the world
- to find new ways to preach Jesus' message of forgiveness, healing, and peace to people in the midst of tumult and change
- to live the Gospel boldly in companionship with others
- to find God in the everyday
- to share God with others hungry for truth
Be the anchor in the chaos
When the world is in a moment of change, people look for an anchor, something, someone, on whom they can rely for stability, a place from which they can move forth boldly. Dominican sisters, brothers, nun, laity and priests have a mission to be that anchor—and you can join us.
Challenges in our own church, systemic racism, a climate emergency, our broken immigration system, the need for respect for all life from womb to tomb. These are the challenges Dominicans are built to address.
We find strength in our relationship with Jesus Christ and our consecration to God lived through what we call the four pillars of our life: community, prayer, and study—all for the sake of the preaching of the Gospel.
The deep well of tradition
Springfield Dominican Sisters draw deeply on the Dominican traditions of communal living, sung common prayer and liturgy, and solidarity with the poor and those on the margins. We collaborate with all who wish to dismantle systems of oppression by working for systems that promote life.
A source of hope for the future
Wherever our sisters minister—whatever our daily work is—we share the same commitment to apostolic life by following Jesus as we promote human dignity through teaching and preaching, accompaniment and solidarity, caring for creation, and dismantling institutional racism.
You are welcome!
Enjoy exploring our website to learn about who we are and what we are about. When you are ready to talk, we’re ready, too!
Curious? Contact Sister Denise.
Read More
Are you willing to choose a “wild and precious” life?
This article was first published in the July 23, 2023 edition of the State Journal-Register. In the above photo we see Sister Mila Diaz Solano, center, celebrating her 25th profession anniversary with family and friends. Last weekend (July 16, 2023) we had a glorious celebration at Sacred Heart Convent for the anniversaries of eleven sisters …
Are you willing to choose a “wild and precious” life? Read More »
Mary of Magdala: A Visual Feast
Mary of Magdala is the patroness of the Order of Preachers, call the Apostle to the Apostles because she was the first to “go and tell” the Good News of the Resurrection. Here are some ideas to celebrate her feast day, July 23. Read the lectionary readings for her feast. Listen to a preaching by …
Come & See: 2023-2024 Vocation Event Schedule
“Even if you are just a little bit curious, you are welcome,” said Sister Denise Glazik about eleven upcoming opportunities for single Catholic women to explore religious life. The sisters have planned six in-person Come & See weekends and five virtual events, called “Zoom & See” weekends, from September 2023 through December 2024. Single Catholic …
Discovering Your Vocation
Do you ever wonder, what, exactly, is a vocation? One of the best definitions comes from Frederick Beuchner, who said “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” What makes you the happiest? What does the world long for? That is where you need …
Visio Divina: Seeing as Prayer
This method of prayer is called visio divina-holy seeing. Here are weekly pairings of a brief text from scripture and an image. The texts are taken from the Roman Catholic Lectionary for Sunday liturgies. The images might be taken by our sisters or communications office staff, or they might be something we find and use …
Podcasts for Vocation Discernment
If you are early in the process of thinking about your purpose in life-your vocation-sometimes it helps to create some space to learn from others about their own journeys, or to gather advice from experts and wise people. Podcasts can help. Here’s a list of some you might find helpful. F.L.O.W.cast A production of the …
Remembering Our Roots in Jacksonville
The first Dominican sisters in central Illinois walked off a train in Jacksonville on Tuesday, August 19, 1873, and into the life of the city, where, the next day, they began organizing for the school year at St. Patrick’s. They couldn’t have known then, but that was the first day of ministry for a new …
St. Malachy Parishioners Show up for Retreat
Sister Denise Glazik, OP, director of the Springfield Dominican vocation office, organized a Busy Persons Retreat for parishioners at St. Malachy Parish, Rantoul, Ill., and they showed up! About 40 persons participated. The Dominican Sisters are very familiar with the people of St. Malachy, having served there for more than 100 of our 150 years …
Springfield Dominicans participate in the North American Continental Synod
“Faith-filled and Resilient” Sister Mila Díaz Solano and Michele Sisson-White, in a letter to Springfield Dominican sisters and associates, said they were grateful to represent the community as participants in a process to prepare a document for the North American Continental Phase of the global synod of the Catholic Church. ”We are grateful for the …
Springfield Dominicans participate in the North American Continental Synod Read More »
A Do-it-yourself Catholic Sisters Week Watch Party
During Catholic Sisters Week, Catholic Sisters in Illinois are challenging themselves and others to abandon the use of single use plastic beverage bottles—and inviting everyone to watch an award-winning film that demonstrates the connection between plastic waste, racism, migration, and climate change. Even the Rain/También la Lluvia, now streaming on Netflix is a Mexican film …
A Do-it-yourself Catholic Sisters Week Watch Party Read More »
Vocation Discernment Event Scheduled for March 10-12, 2023
“Even if you are just a little bit curious, you are welcome,” said Sister Denise Glazik about two upcoming opportunities for single Catholic women to explore religious life. The “Come & See” weekend is planned for March 10-12, 2023, at Cor Unum House-a convent nestled into one of Springfield’s friendliest neighborhoods. Single Catholic women ages …
Vocation Discernment Event Scheduled for March 10-12, 2023 Read More »
Illinois’ Catholic sisters launch campaign to “Refuse to Use” single-use plastic beverage bottles
Twenty-three congregations of Catholic sisters serving in Illinois will observe Catholic Sisters Week, March 8-14, with a challenge: do not consume beverages from single-use plastic bottles. “We are taking advantage of the annual observance of Catholic Sisters Week to educate, inform, and act to end plastic waste through a Refuse to Use campaign,” said Sister …
Sacred Is the Call: Taizé Prayer at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel
February 2 Event Celebrates 150 Years of Dominican Consecrated Life in Central Illinois Springfield, Ill.-Those seeking an oasis for prayerful contemplation can find it at Sacred Heart Convent on February 2, 2023, when the Dominican Sisters open their luminescent chapel for Sacred is the Call: A Taizé Prayer in Celebration of Consecrated Religious Life. It …
Sacred Is the Call: Taizé Prayer at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel Read More »
Needed: Courageous Women to Share the Gospel
About the photos: Debbie Shibley during her ministry at St. Mary Hospital, Rogers, Ark., caring for a patient and playing Santa for her community members. By Debbie Berg Shibley Married for 26 years, Debbie lives in Iowa and has been a Springfield Dominican associate since 1998. From age 6 my life has been impacted by …
Relationships that Matter: Sister Cecilianne Duello was always a part of my life
By Carolyn White God placed Sister Cecilianne Duello in my life in such a subtle way that I cannot remember the first time I met her…it just seems like she was always a part of my life. As I reflect on the blessing of her presence in my life, I’m in awe of God’s amazing …
Relationships that Matter: Sister Cecilianne Duello was always a part of my life Read More »
Relationships that matter: Sister Philomena was with and for us
By Sister M. Clare Fichtner, OP From the time I first knew Catholic sisters, I knew I was called to be one. They all impressed me one way or another. Sister Philomena, OP, my sixth- grade teacher, helped me decide which community to enter. She was one of the twelve sisters who traveled 500 miles …
Relationships that matter: Sister Philomena was with and for us Read More »
Relationships that matter: Sister M. Rose Schleeper a covenant of liberation
By Father Joseph Brown, SJ The Covenant by which we are bound was completed—from its proclamation, in Exodus: “You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall not afflict any widow or orphan…”—by the rendering spoken by Jesus, as He reordered our very identities: …
Relationships that matter: Sister M. Rose Schleeper a covenant of liberation Read More »
Come & See Registration
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Students at Marian Catholic Join Dominican Sisters to help others
Students at Marian Catholic High School along with members of The Emmaus Community in Olympia Fields helped 250 families in need during a community service project that gave a Thanksgiving meal before the holiday. Over 60 volunteers worked together to assemble and distribute food boxes filled with Thanksgiving staples that helped many have a full …
Students at Marian Catholic Join Dominican Sisters to help others Read More »
Former educator now feeds the hungry
Springfield Dominican Sister Katrina Lamkin knew at a young age she wanted to serve as a sister. “A friend and I shared the same idea that we wanted to be sisters. I remember begging my parents to let me go to Sacred Heart Academy to continue my catholic education. It was during my senior year …
Thank You to Sister Katherine O’Connor, completing her years of service at SHG
Dominican Sister Katherine O’Connor, OP, announced this week she will step down from her role as president of Sacred Heart-Griffin High School at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. She will leave her post in June, bringing an end to a nearly two-decade career as a leader in Catholic Dominican secondary education in Springfield. …
Thank You to Sister Katherine O’Connor, completing her years of service at SHG Read More »
Oglala Update: News from Sister Barbara Ann
As she periodically does, Sister Barbara Ann Bogenschutz shares news about life at Our Lady of the Sioux Church in Oglala, South Dakota, where she is Parish Life Coordinator, through a newsletter to her friends and supporters. At the top of her list most recently was news of an unexpected message from Pope Francis, who …
Bethany House of Hospitality
By Sister Kathlyn Mulcahy, OP The Holy Family Knocking at Our Door “Do you have a room available?” The call may come from a social worker, child advocate, pastor, or even the police. Someone has arrived on a bus or maybe she is aging out of an Office of Refugee Resettlement center for unaccompanied child …
“Deeply Dramatic”—Dominicans in Krakow Welcome Ukrainian Refugees
Father Andrzej carries a mattress to an apartment for refugee families. Each family has its own kitchen, bathroom, and washing machine. All maintenance costs are covered by the Dominicans. by Fr. Andrzej Mońka, OP. This article originally appeared in the Summer 2022 issue of JUSTWords. View online copy here. It was obvious to us from …
“Deeply Dramatic”—Dominicans in Krakow Welcome Ukrainian Refugees Read More »
Defining Hope: A litany
This Litany of Hope was inspired by the Preaching of Sister Judith Hilbing, OP, during the Dominican Sisters of Springfield’s annual General Assembly, June 16-18, 2022. What would you add to make the litany your own? What is hope? Let us hear your word, O God. Surely your word is HOPE! Hope is in the …
Fanning the Flames of Hope: Dominican Sisters in Assembly
The joy of being together in the same space is one way the Dominican Sisters of Springfield fan the flame of hope. They were most recently together during General Assembly, a time of conversation, prayer, and communal study held in June 2022. The annual three-day meeting, held at Sacred Heart Convent, Springfield, Ill., brought most …
Fanning the Flames of Hope: Dominican Sisters in Assembly Read More »
Gratitude, Humility, Awe:
Celebrating 150 Years For the Life of the World
About the photo: Sisters in ministry in Jackson, Miss., join some of our founding sisters on the porch of their first home in Jacksonville, Ill., c. 1873. A yearlong sesquicentennial celebration of the founding of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield begins this summer. The celebration opens at 6:00 p.m., Friday, August 19, with a Mass …
Gratitude, Humility, Awe:
Celebrating 150 Years For the Life of the World Read More »
Two Questions
This essay first appeared in the summer edition of the Dominican Literacy Center newsletter, Word & Hope. We republish it here with the permission of the Dominican Literacy Center because of its unique perspective on the challenges that face English language learners in the United States. To learn more about the Springfield Dominican mission of …
Sister Denise Glazik, OP
Sister Denise Glazik, OP I’m happy to introduce myself to you as the vocation director of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield. I’m the youngest of seven brothers and seven sisters from tiny Paxton, Ill. It’s only partly a joke to say I’ve lived in a community all my life😊. My Catholic family ate together, prayed …
Dominican Sisters of Springfield Join Catholic Sisters Nationwide to Call for Action on Gun Safety
“Organizations representing tens of thousands of Catholic sisters and associates across the United States are calling for an end to gun violence and immediate Congressional action to stop the bleeding and dying in our schools and cities,” said Sister Marcelline Koch, the justice promoter for the Springfield Dominicans. “We stand with them.” The leadership of …
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