On the Feast of Epiphany, Sunday, January 6, 2008, Vespers were prayed at the Rosary Monastery Chapel to celebrate the close of the 800th anniversary of the Contemplative branch of the Dominican Order of Preachers.

This foundation was established at a place called Prouille. According to Jordan of Saxony “these handmaids of Christ were enabled to offer acceptable service to their maker”. The Vespers celebration was a deeply spiritual event and its success is a tribute to the planners.

Among those present on this occasion were His Excellency, Archbishop Thomas Gullickson, Apostolic Nuncio and Fr Ferdinand Warner OP, Regional Prior of the Dominican Order.

Members of the Lay Dominican Fraternity joined with nuns of the Rosary Monastery and Dominican Sisters in the recital of the Evening Prayer of the Church. It was a truly Dominican family affair.

At the start, the Apostolic Nuncio remarked that on the First Sunday of Advent, December 3, 2006, he attended in that very chapel the opening of the Jubilee year of the 800th anniversary of the contemplative branch of the Dominican Order.

Today, at the close he wished to repeat strongly his prayer intention on that occasion “We pray that your hidden life of prayer might attract generations of young women to carry on your mission for the life of the world, on the mountain top of supplication – We place Rosary Monastery and the Dominican presence in the Archdiocese of Port of Spain Confidently in the Lord’s hands, enlightened as we are by the mystery of His manifestation among us God first and foremost in humility. Be assured”, he said, “not only of my prayers but also those of His Holiness whom I have the honour to represent in this region.”

After his address Vespers were solemnly prayed. Sr Kathy Joseph provided the musical accompaniment. Fr Warner read the scripture text and then preached the sermon.
He said that Bishop Diego founded the monastery at Prouille in order to receive certain noble women forced by poverty to be educated by heretics.

Rosary monastery contemplatives and other Dominican Sisters at Vespers

Sinsinawa Dominican Sr Jean Tranel leads the procession carrying the Crucifix

Now, monastic women, as a result, can live, in outstanding innocence and purity, conducive to the salvation of those who lead it – an example to others, a joy to the angels, and pleasing to God.

On March 30, 1218 the nuns were officially attached by Papal bull to the Order of Preachers. From December 3, 2006 to Epiphany 2008, Dominicans have celebrated a jubilee year dedicated to the memory of 800 years of our contemplatives.

Now we enter into a novena of years that will take us to the 8th century of Pope Honoruis III’s confirmation of the Order with the Bull Religiosam Vitam, December 22, 1216.

As we journey through these nine years of preparation for the 800th anniversary of the Order of Preachers, we will continue to depend on the prayerful support of the nuns and the witness to truth of the whole Dominican family.

Our Lord Jesus insisted on shared witness. He sent out His followers in pairs. Dominic insisted on shared witness. He sent his preachers out in pairs. While one preached the other prayed.

Fr Ferdinand also shared some commitments of the International Commission of the Dominican Order as they met in Fanjeaux to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the founding of Prouille.

Among those commitments were the renewing of St Dominic’s vision of a family together in mission - the working together of all branches in harmony, mutual respect and truth.
• to work for justice and be in solidarity with those at the margins of society.
• to find new, innovative ways of preaching that will touch the young as well as the aged.
• to link and nourish prayer and mission and to commit to a more attentive listening to the world.

At the conclusion of his sermon Vespers continued, then followed a procession with the Crucifix, the Word and the Globe to a sitting room. During the procession the Litany of the Dominican saints were sung. Some participants carried captions such as Prayer, Justice, Peace, Dialogue and Family.

On arrival at the sitting room, Sr Mary Ann addressed us. On behalf of her community, she expressed appreciation for all who attended. She also said that while the other branches can depend on the prayerful support of the contemplatives, they too need the prayers of the rest of the family.

She noted that we were experiencing very difficult times and asked for prayers for contemplatives in Kenya and Pakistan. She mentioned the fate of Sr Josepha, a virgin and martyr, the first contemplative to suffer martyrdom in comparatively recent times, then she invited all present to socialise and partake of light refreshments.

This celebration was unique and gave encouragement to the idea of the getting together as a family for prayer, worship and fellowship on a regular basis.

This ceremony also highlighted the immense value of prayer in our Order. Our contemplatives have continued the legacy of 800 years of prayerful support as the Nuncio describes it, “the mountain top of supplication” which enables us to carry on our mission for the life of the world.