Do you feel called into a deeper relationship with God in service to the world and to the Church?
If so, you’ve come to the right place to begin your journey.
Dominican sisters in the United States are a diverse, vibrant and colorful mosaic of the church. Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ always and in all ways. We do this with our lives and through our teaching, care for the poor, advocacy for justice, liturgical art, music ministry, care of creation, spiritual enrichment ministries, housing advocacy, peacemaking, and much more.
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.
What’s the process of becoming a Sister?
Stage I
Candidacy (1 to 2 yrs)
A woman begins to live Dominican community life and ministry.
Stage II
Novitiate (2 years)
Two years of spiritual development, study, and growth in living Dominican religious life as a novice, or "new sister"
Stage III
Temporary Profession (at least 3 years)
A lived commitment of the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience through life in community and active ministry.
Stage IV
Perpetual Profession
A Sister's sacred and public witness of her lifelong commitment to God through the charism and mission of the congregation.
Wondering what to do next?
Get to know us:
For more information and to explore your call to become a Dominican Sister, we invite you to visit our Vocations pages. Here you can find information about upcoming programs, how to start a conversation with a vocation director, and arrange a visit.
Service Immersion Experience
For more information about this Service Immersion Experience, read through this short article:
By Sister Tarianne DeYonker, OP
July 23, 2025, Chicago – On a not-yet-so-sticky Tuesday afternoon in June, eight young women ranging in age from 18 to 43 began arriving in Westchester, Illinois, to meet with Dominican sisters for a service week advertised as “Preaching in Action, Igniting Hope.”
Six vocation ministers representing various congregations of Dominican sisters welcomed them with hugs and smiles, a communal meal, prayer, and an overview of the week. Arriving for the most part as strangers, they were to become a close-knit community.
Service at a city farm, aptly named “Just Roots,” was the first event. Created on the grounds of St. James’ previous church building, the farm grows produce to be given to those who are hungry and shared with local food pantries. Staff could not have been more helpful or knowledgeable.
The afternoon drew us to Aquinas Literacy Center, where the women shared a meal provided by Adrian Dominican Associate Alison Altmeyer, Director of the literacy center, and observe a class and one-to-one tutoring by young professionals who volunteer there. Two participants arranged donated furniture to make comfortable conversational settings for learners.
Thursday of the service week was Juneteenth, marking the day in 1865 that slaves in Galveston, Texas, finally learned two years later that they had been freed. A Sinsinawa Dominican Associate, Maudette Carr, shared the significance of this new national holiday and spoke about some previously unknown Black saints and popes in Catholic history. A brief visit to the Du Sable Museum of African American History brought us to lunchtime and a brief tour of the museum.
Our last service was at Brothers and Sisters of Immigrants, (Bethany House) where the discerners prepared rooms for anticipated newcomers to the house. They also worked on other projects in the house that needed assistance. In between projects, volunteers had brief chances to play with the young children in the house.
By Friday, the week was coming to a close. Sister Connie Schoen, OP, a Dominican Sister of Peace, led a hearty, conversational exchange on restorative justice. This was followed by a fun afternoon trip to Navy Pier and back to Westchester for an outdoor Mass, presided by Father Jim Marchionda, OP, a commissioning of the discerners to continue “Preaching in Action and Igniting Hope” and a barbecue with sisters living and ministering in the area.
The participants seemed to have had a wonderful time with each other and with the sites, where their service was both needed and welcomed.
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