Wisdom from the Dominicans

At the Seculars meeting in Romsey, Hampshire last Saturday we enjoyed a visit from Sister Veronica of the Dominican Sisters of St Joseph, Lymington. She inspired us with the story of how her particular community arose in the 1980s. Some of the Sisters were not happy with very radical changes being introduced into the Order to which they belonged, which was based in South Africa, changes which involved Sisters abandoning the traditional community life to live in twos and threes out in the world. This group of Sisters wanted to stay true to the traditional ideals and they broke away to form a new community in Hampshire. They have evidently thrived, and her account of the varied ministries in which this small community is currently involved was impressive. They do sterling work in adult formation - which is surely one of the most pressing needs in the Church today; they are out in Lymington High Street inviting people to come for tea and coffee; they also organise children's summer camps which have resulted in vocations to the priesthood and marriages. As I listened to the story I was reminded of how Teresa went out from her community in the monastery of the Incarnation to spearhead the revitalisation of Carmel by returning to the spirit of the founders.