The more I immerse myself into the Dominican way of life and grow in knowledge (be it still at an elementary level) of the Order of Preachers, I can’t help but see striking similarities between our Lord Jesus Christ and our holy founder, St. Dominic. Indeed, as William A. Hinnebusch O.P states in his book, Dominican Spirituality (1965); “Everything positive in the Order’s spiritual life traces back to Dominic, just as everything positive in the church traces back to Christ.”

Today is the first day of our Novena to St Dominic, and I have tried to base my reflection on the Mass readings for today, which actually fit quite well.

The Gospel for today (Mt 13:44-46) speaks of the Kingdom of Heaven as a “hidden treasure” or “pearl of great price”. The one who finds it “goes off happy” and “sells everything he owns and buys it.” Dominic was a man who was deeply aware that the Kingdom of Heaven was a priceless treasure, and this filled his life with joy.

We recently had the pleasure of viewing the marvelous exhibition marking the 400th Anniversary of the birth of St Oliver Plunkett. It was fascinating to see so many artefacts from his life and times. We are very grateful to Tomás Hodgins (one of the organisers of the exhibition) for the very informative and enjoyable tour, which he gave us. ...

During the last week of June, we once again embarked on the prayerful journey of writing icons, a sacred tradition that traces its roots back to St. Luke, the first iconographer. As contemplative sisters, icon writing has been an integral part of our prayer and devotion in recent years. This ancient tradition is carried out in many monasteries across the globe, preserving a living connection to centuries of spiritual heritage. These icons, which adorn the walls of homes, churches, and institutions, serve not only as beautiful works of art but also as vivid and constant reminders of God's presence.