Who are the Nuns of the Order of
Preachers?
The nuns of the
Order of Preachers came into being when our holy father gathered women converts
to the Catholic faith in the monastery of Blessed Mary of Prouille in 1206.
These women, free for God alone, he associated with his "holy
preaching" by their prayer and penance. Our holy Father drew up a rule to
be followed and constantly showed a father's love and care for these nuns and
for others established later in the same way of life. In fact, "they had
no other master to instruct them about the Order." Finally, he entrusted
them as part of the same Order to the fraternal concern of his sons.
A Life of Hidden Apostolic
Fruitfulness
By their way of life both the friars and the nuns press onward
to that perfect love of God and neighbor which is effective
in caring for and obtaining the salvation of all people. As the Lord Jesus, the
Savior of all, offered himself completely for our salvation, they consider
themselves to be truly his members primarily when they are spending themselves
totally for souls. There is indeed a diversity of gifts, but one and the same
Spirit, one charity, one mercy. The friars, sisters and laity of the Order are
"to preach the name of our Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world;"
the nuns are to seek, ponder and call upon him in solitude so that the word
proceeding from the mouth of God may not return to him empty, but may
accomplish those things for which it was sent (cf. Is 55:10).
A Life Pondering the Word of God
Called by God, like Mary, to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen
to his words (cf. Lk. 10:39) they are converted to the Lord, withdrawing from
the empty preoccupations and illusions of the world. Forgetting what lies
behind and reaching out for what lies ahead (cf. Phil. 3:13), they are
consecrated to God by public vows through profession of the evangelical
counsels of chastity, poverty and obedience. In purity and humility of heart,
in living and assiduous contemplation, they love Christ, who is close to the
Father's heart.
A Life of Liturgical Praise and
Prayer
The nuns offer a sacrifice of praise to God
especially through the celebration of the liturgy in imitation of the Church in
Jerusalem which was drawn together by the teaching of the Apostles and united
in daily prayer (cf. Acts 2:42). Persevering in prayer with Mary the Mother of
Jesus, they ardently long for the fullness of the Holy Spirit, so that with
unveiled face they may reflect the glory of the Lord and be transformed into his
image from splendor to splendor by the Spirit of the Lord (cf 2 Cor. 3:18).
A Contemplative Life in Oneness of
Mind and Heart
The nuns seek
God by observing the norms of the purely contemplative life, by maintaining
their withdrawal from the world by enclosure and silence, by working
diligently, studying the truth eagerly, searching the Scriptures with ardent
heart, praying intently, willingly practicing penance, pursuing communion
through their manner of government, in purity of conscience and the joy of sisterly concord, "in
freedom of spirit." It is God who now makes them dwell together in unity
and on the last day will gather into the Holy City a people acquired as his
own. In the midst of the Church their growth in charity is mysteriously
fruitful for the growth of the people of God. By their hidden life they
proclaim prophetically that in Christ alone is true happiness to be found, here
by grace and afterwards in glory.
A Life Free for God Alone
The nuns profess obedience according to these
same Constitutions, "not like slaves under the law, but like free women
under grace;" they will ponder them wisely, finding in them a mirror in
which to test their own fidelity to their call from God. So their life will be
"conducive to salvation for themselves, an example to others, a joy to the
angels, and pleasing to God."
From the Fundamental
Constitutions of the Nuns of the Order of Preachers
