The Notre-Dame des Prêcheurs Federation reflected on the future of Dominican contemplative life, collaboration within the Dominican Family and the joy of their vocation.
LA SAINTE-BAUME, FRANCE — From May 4-9, 2026, the Notre-Dame des Prêcheurs Federation of Dominican monasteries in France held its Federal Assembly at the Hostellerie of the Dominican friars at La Sainte-Baume, in southern France.
The assembly brought together the prioresses of the member monasteries of the Federation, each accompanied by one elected delegate from her community. Meeting in a place deeply marked by Dominican tradition and devotion to St. Mary Magdalene, the nuns gathered for days of prayer, reflection, discernment and fraternal exchange.
Throughout the assembly, a spirit of joy marked the meetings. The sisters’ conversations reflected both gratitude for the gift of Dominican contemplative life and a desire to help that vocation flourish for the good of the Church and the Order. Their joy was expressed not only in moments of prayer and celebration, but also in the seriousness with which they considered the future of their communities and the mission entrusted to them.
The topics discussed included the synodal discernment of the future of Dominican contemplative life, both in France and throughout the Order; the promotion of vocations; the deepening of collaboration among the member monasteries; cooperation with the wider Dominican Family; and the prudent use of social media to make Dominican contemplative life better known.
The assembly elected Sr. Fabienne-Marie Dovy, OP, of Langeac, as President of the Federation. New counselors were also elected, among them: Sr. Maguelone Marvié, OP, of Saint-Maximin, as first counselor; Sr. Blandine Schmidt, OP, of Orbey, as second counselor; Sr. Danielle de l’Annonciation Bidet, OP, of Taulignan, as third counselor; and Sr. Merete de l’Eucharistie Ruud-Christensen, OP, of Dax, as fourth counselor. Sr. Ingeborg-Marie Løvenskiuld, OP, of Oslo, was elected first substitute, and Sr. Julie Lourdeau, OP, of Chalais, was elected second substitute.
Several Dominican friars also participated as guests of the assembly. Fr. Olivier-Marie Corre, OP, and fr. Paul Dominique, OP, presented the “École de Vie,” a ministry of the Province of Toulouse for young adults at the shrine of La Sainte-Baume, which is administered by the friars. Fr. Patrick Dominique Linck, OP, religious assistant of the Federation, was also present.
Fr. Cristóbal Torres Iglesias, OP, General Promoter for the Nuns, offered presentations on the Dominican Family, the promotion of Dominican contemplative life and synodality in Dominican contemplative communities. His participation highlighted the bond between the monasteries of nuns and the wider Order of Preachers, whose mission of preaching is sustained in a hidden and essential way by the prayer of the nuns.
The assembly was enriched by visits to important Dominican and Magdalene sites. The sisters visited the shrine of St. Mary Magdalene at La Sainte-Baume, the Basilica of St. Mary Magdalene at Saint-Maximin, and the nearby Dominican Monastery of Saint-Maximin, a thriving contemplative community.
These visits offered the nuns an opportunity to pray together in places closely associated with the Order’s history and spirituality. They also gave visible expression to the communion that unites the monasteries of the Federation. In the beauty of La Sainte-Baume and Saint-Maximin, the assembly became not only a time of governance and discernment, but also a moment of thanksgiving.
The gathering testified to the vitality of Dominican contemplative life in France and to the joyful witness of the nuns. Rooted in prayer, silence and fraternal communion, their vocation continues to serve the preaching of the Gospel and the life of the Order throughout the world.
