Who may apply to become a member?

Any single, Catholic woman, usually between the ages of 20 and 40, in good health, and desiring to serve God's people within a community structure. Initial formation is the process designed to prepare candidates for the Dominican way of life.

How to proceed?

Contact the Vocation Director for information, and consider the following steps: 
 

1. The affiliate (six months to two years) lives at home, continues work, meets with the Formation Director monthly, learns about St. Mary's Dominican Congregation, its spirit and work.

2. The candidate (six months to two years) moves into the Formation House in New Orleans and learns how to live as a Dominican sister. She may study scripture, theology, and learn by experience about ways to minister to God's people.

3. The novice (two years) spends her first year at the Dominican Common Novitiate in St. Louis, MO, where she joins with novices from other Dominican Congregations throughout the country. There they learn about vows, Dominican life, the Church today, mission and common life.

   The second year she returns to New Orleans to further training combined with mission, and to prepare for first vows.

4. The temporary professed sister (three to six years) lives in a local house of the congregation, engages in full-time ministry or continues professional studies.

5. The perpetually professed sister: in a solemn ceremony the sister pronounces her vows for life, and receives a simple gold ring as a symbol of her consecration to God. As women of faith and courage, we follow Jesus in the Dominican tradition of prayer, study, community and mission.