Although St. Catherine of Siena was a laywoman, she is also a model for apostolic Dominican sisters. Profoundly devoted to Christ, she was invited by him to leave her cell in order to care tenderly for the most disinherited people of Siena, to work for peace in Italy, and to labor for the unity of the Church. In these endeavors, she maintained close ties with the men and women known as her ‘famiglia’.
In the same way, other women responded to the needs of their own time and joined together for prayer, study, common life, and announcing the good news of God’s tender compassion through a variety of apostolates: education; ministering to people who are sick or who are mentally or physically challenged; evangelization; serving people who are poor, lepers, released captives, children and young people in danger.
Today, faithful women still respond to this call and work locally and across cultures and international boundaries to address new challenges and extend the historic visions of their various congregations. We lead a communal life in cooperation with one another; we draw strength from personal prayer and heartfelt common celebrations of the liturgy; we study resolutely, looking for the truth in all things.
Daughters of our time, Dominicans affirm that diversity, welcomed in an attitude of listening and openness, is a source of enrichment and creativity, allowing us to widen our perspective, to understand reality better, and to act out of a more profound discernment.