A note about apostolic and monastic Dominican life
Our sisters live apostolic consecrated life. That is, we make simple vows and live them out in active ways. Our ministry is visible to all: We teach and preach, counsel, minister in parishes and other faith-based organizations. You are apt to see us in attendance at community events or occassionally dining out.
But there are other ways of being Dominican and living the preaching charism, too.
There are Dominican laity, associates, friars, and nuns. In fact, there is a Dominican Monastery of nuns in Girard, Ill. We are deeply connected to them! While you are discerning your call to religious life, you may find that God is calling you to apostolic religious life, like our community. But don't dismiss the possible call to monastic Dominican life. If you feel a pull in that direction, why not visit the nuns to learn about their way of life?
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. Women and men who value and want to live out their baptismal committment—Dominican sisters, brothers, nuns, laity, and priests have a mission to be that anchor—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
Happy 108th Birthday Sister Elise Bocke!
Dominican Sisters celebrate longest-lived community member with a sock-hop About the photo: Sister Elise Bocke, second from right, celebrates her birthday with her nephew Joe Bocke, her niece Mary Ann Vahle, and Joe’s wife Janice. Sister Rose Marie Riley, decked out in a ginger wig and sunglasses, emcees the party. Just two months after the […]
“Stand for Justice, Stand for Dignity” campaign roots civic engagement in Catholic Social Teaching
Sisters will hold weekly vigil on Monroe Street property, 4:30 each Wednesday beginning June 4. Springfield, Ill.-If you’ve driven the 1200 block of West Monroe or Washington Streets in the neighborhood of Sacred Heart Convent lately, then you’ve likely seen red, white, and blue signs sprouting along the perimeter of the Dominican Sisters’ property between […]
Pilgrims of Hope: Honoring Pope Francis
Family-friendly public prayer 4:00 p.m. Sunday, May 4, Sacred Heart Convent Chapel All are welcome. The Dominican Sisters will welcome guests to join them in honoring and celebrating the life of Pope Francis, who died April 21 at the age of 88 after serving as the successor of St. Peter for twelve years. Family-friendly and […]
Dominican Sister M. Paul McCaughey travels to Rome—but not for the Conclave
She will arrive in Rome May 4 for Union of International Superiors General Assembly and 10th Dominican Sisters International Confederation Assembly Conclave to elect successor to Pope Francis likely to coincide with her visit. The superiors of Catholic Sisters’ congregations worldwide generally meeting triennially in Rome, and this is the year. For Dominican sisters […]
Immerse yourself in service!
Single Catholic Women Invited to Summer Immersion Experience Dominicans Gather in Chicago in June Single Catholic women ages 18-45 who want to experience religious life and be of service are invited to participate in the Dominican Sisters’ Service Immersion Experience in Chicago. This unique opportunity, scheduled for June 17-21, 2025, allows participants to engage deeply […]
Registration now open for Stay with Me: Lenten Prayer for Disciples
Virtual prayer for the six Wednesdays of Lent Springfield, Ill.-Women and men everywhere are invited to join the Dominican Sisters of Springfield for Stay with Me: Lenten Prayer for Disciples. The virtual sessions, scheduled for 7:00 pm Central Time on the Wednesdays of Lent starting March 5, will allow space for participants to attune their […]
Why on Earth would anyone want to be a Catholic sister?
If you’ve ever wondered why anyone chooses religious life, then you might want to join the Dominican Sisters of Springfield on February 28 to find out. Perhaps you think that God might be calling you to consecrated life. Or-maybe just the opposite-you have difficulty understanding why on Earth someone would choose to be a Catholic […]
The P.I.E. was a big hit
A collaborative event sponsored by the Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union, the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, and our community, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Ill., was a big hit in Springfield on Nov. 7, 2024. That night we welcomed more than 160 people for the Springfield Sisters’ Armchair Tour. Friends from all walks […]
O, come let us adore Him:
Advent adoration at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel
In the midst of the holiday rush, give yourself the gift of peace and quiet. You are invited to join the Dominican Sisters for O, Come Let Us Adore Him Advent Adoration, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, December 19, at Sacred Heart Convent Chapel, 1237 W. Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62704. This special event will give your […]
“Armchair Tour” Panelists Named
About the photo: Armchair Tour video recording session at Union Station Park, near the 1908 Race Riot monument. From left, T’ena Haile, Robert Blackwell, and Dominican Sister Rosemary McGuire. Collaborative public event hosted by Ursuline, Franciscan, and Dominican Sisters Registration open through Nov. 1. Springfield, Ill.- Panelists have been chosen for the Nov. 7 “Springfield […]
“Springfield Sisters’ Armchair Tour” celebrates Sisters’ impact
Sara Wojcicki Jimenez emcees November 7 event Springfield, Ill.- The Springfield Sisters’ Armchair Tour arrives in town on Thursday, Nov. 7 and the public is invited. This unique event, including storytelling and inspiring conversation, is a collaboration among the Ursuline, Franciscan, and Dominican Sisters, who have been transforming generations in Springfield since the arrival of the […]
Advent Adoration Registration
Join us for Advent adoration Advent adoration For Dec. 13, 2024 event Name First Last Email Want more information? Please keep me in the loop about other activities. 51332
Save the Date! Springfield Catholic Sisters Armchair Tour is November 7
Three groups of Catholic Sisters plan a special event for Springfield, Ill. The Springfield Sisters Armchair Tour is a gift to the city from the Ursulines, Franciscans, and Dominican Sisters who began transforming lives in the city in 1857. Global pioneers The Ursuline Sisters established what would become Ursuline Academy three weeks after a handful […]
Dominican Sisters invite all to join a virtual circle of prayer sponsored by U.S. Catholic Sisters
Are the elections and national party conventions weighing heavily on your mind? The Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Ill., along with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), invite concerned citizens to join them for a virtual time of prayer 4 – 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 16. This event, coordinated by LCWR, is 24 hours […]
Eucharistic Pilgrimage Stops at Sacred Heart Convent
Pilgrims expected at 11:30 a.m. July 11. Springfield, Ill.-Organizers for the national Eucharistic Pilgrimage passing through Mr. Lincoln’s hometown on July 11 have said we can expect the pilgrims to arrive at Sacred Heart Convent, the Dominican motherhouse at 1237 W. Monroe St, between 11:30 and Noon that day. To join the pilgrimage at Sacred […]
Mission and Truth: New Springfield Dominican Sisters leadership team takes office
Springfield, Ill.-The Springfield Dominican Sisters’ leadership team, elected last April during general chapter, began a five-year term of service last week after their formal installation during Mass at Sacred Heart Convent here on Saturday, June 15. During a brief, moving ritual, Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma, the outgoing prioress general, formally questioned Sister M. Paul McCaughey, […]
Miracle on the Lake: A heart-racing story of near-tragedy for Dominican Sisters of Springfield
Podcast highlights impact of women religious for Catholic Sisters Week March 8-15. Available here March 8. Springfield, Ill.-A heart-racing story about a near-tragedy that befell ten Springfield Dominican Sisters in 1972 is the centerpiece of the congregation’s Catholic Sisters Week observances this year. Two Springfield Dominicans, Sister Margaret Grueter and Sister Marie Michelle Hackett, share […]
Dominicans cite their charism for slight rise in vocations
One of the largest congregations of women religious in the United States has seen a recent increase in vocations. While there’s no clear reasoning or data behind the trend, sisters in these two Dominican orders – Dominican Sisters of Peace and Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa – say it’s all because of their charism. Read more about this here: https://www.ncronline.org/news/dominicans-cite-their-charism-slight-rise-vocations […]
Walking the path of vocation discernment? This might be your next step
More women than you might realize sense God drawing them toward a life of fulfilment and happiness as Catholic sisters, but often they miss the opportunity to explore because they aren’t sure what to do once they are tuned in to this prayerful intuition. Walking the path of vocation discernment begins, for many women with […]
Catholic Sisters invite you to join them in prayer and fasting for the Middle East
Dominican Sisters of Springfield are among the hundreds of women religious joining the Church of the Holy Land and people throughout the world in a day of prayer and fasting for peace in the Middle East on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. In a letter sent to its membership On Monday, October 16, 2023, the Leadership […]
Join us for a Meet Our Sisters Tour watch party
Springfield Dominican Sister Beth Murphy and Father Joe Molloy, a priest of the Springfield, Ill., diocese, talk about “call,” what happened when they were ready to give up, and the way family and parish can impact women’s and men’s decisions to discern vocations to priesthood and religious life. Father Joe’s interest in the priesthood wasn’t […]
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 […]
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 […]
Feels Like Home: A Book for Every Catholic Bookshelf
A review of Susan Flansburg’s Feels Like Home: Finding Your Way to Catholic Sisterhood Though I’ve been quite aware of the shortage of Catholic sisters in the United States for some time, an experience last year took me by surprise. Our vocation director Sister Denise Glazik and I were at my alma mater-Eastern Illinois University-for a […]
Visio Divina: Seeing as Prayer
Posts for the Sundays of Year C Welcome to a new liturgical year! Happy New Year! The First Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year. These years are observed on a three-year cycle. On Sunday Dec. 1 we begin cycle C. Why not begin a new spiritual practice at the start […]
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 […]
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