This song will echo throughout the House of Discernment as we gather to remember and to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the founding of the House of Discernment here in St. Joseph.  Five years ago the dream of Sr Glenda Rodriguez and Associate Neidha Marshall became a reality on Picadilly Street.

Their dream was to establish a place of discernment in Trinidad for women interested in religious life as a Sinsinawa Dominican. With the wisdom, the support and the direction of the Prioress of the Congregation, Sr Toni Harris, and her council, the House of Discernment was purchased, renovated and ready to welcome our first members. Sr Martin Joseph and Discerner, Sabrina Paty moved into this beautiful house located only two houses from St Joseph Church.

Sr Jean Tranel was appointed Director of the House of Discernment in July 2002. On September 21 the dedication of the House of Discernment took place.

We were honoured to have present with us on this special occasion, Archbishop Edward Gilbert, Sr Toni Harris, Prioress of the Congregation, Sr Joan Durest, from the Southern Province, Sisters from the local communities here in Trinidad, clergy from many churches and ministries in the archdiocese, many friends, family and neighbours all came to celebrate with us the opening of the House of Discernment on September 21, 2002.

In addition to the two members already beginning their discerning process here at the House of Discernment; Sabrina Paty and Sr Martin Joseph; the following new members came to join the community for their time of discernment and candidacy: Christina Araujo, Lystra Long, Christine Walcott, Gail Jagroop, and Astral Bobb. The process of discernment consists of living the four pillars of Dominican life; prayer, study, community and ministry.

In coming into the House of Discernment the new member is welcomed with a simple ceremony of “Key Giving”. She continues the same ministry that she had been doing before coming here. In addition to her already busy schedule, the discerner begins to integrate the charism, the traditions and the lifestyle of the Dominican congregation as lived out by the four pillars of Dominican life.

Sr Jean, Gail Jagroop and Astral Bobb

After a time of discerning her vocation and with the help of the Director the discerner is ready to move to the next step of “Candidacy”.

During this period of formation the discerner continues her ministry, her community responsibilities, her studies and prayer.

Often she will be invited to do volunteer service in the parish of St Joseph. We are blessed to have Fr Ferdi Warner OP as our parish priest who is always willing and gracious in his welcome to our new members.

After completing the time of Candidacy the discerner continues her next step into the Novitiate. Presently we have two novices, Lystra Long and Christine Walcott doing their year of Canonical Novitiate at our Collaborative Dominican Novitiate in St Louis, MO, USA.

Sr Sabrina Paty and Sr Christina Araujo have completed their Novitiate, have made their Temporary Profession and are now in parish ministry for the Archdiocese of Port of Spain.

Sr Martin Joseph, having made her Perpetual Vows as a Sinsinawa Dominican on August 8, 2004, is now working as Parish Administrator in the Toco/Matelot area with Sr Sabrina as her assistant.

In addition to her parish ministry Sr Martin is a partner with Fr Ferdi Warner as promoters of the Lay Dominicans in Trinidad and Tobago. This branch of the Dominican Family has over 100 members. The Lay Dominicans meet in groups called Chapters on a regular basis to study, pray and do service for others.

The House of Discernment is not only for resident discerners, we have regular days of retreat, weekly Eucharistic celebrations, special days of celebrating our Dominican feasts, times of vespers, “Come See” weekends and personal spiritual mentoring on a weekly basis.

These are the occasions when women not living at the House of Discernment are invited to spend time with us in their particular discerning process.

The liturgical seasons are celebrated with sacred symbols, special prayers, rituals, with music appropriate for the season and often with a special meal. These are the time when we gather to deepen our faith, to open our hearts to the wisdom, compassion, understanding and love of the members of the community.

It’s a very sacred time of spiritual growth and of community building. An occasion may present itself when the entire community will retreat to another quiet, reflective atmosphere where we pray, study and share our faith with one another.

Recently our House of Discernment community journeyed to Lopinot Historical Centre for a day of recreation, of setting our goals for the coming year, and to share a meal together.

We returned refreshed and ready to “set out for where the work is difficult and the need is great”. These words came from the lips of our founder, a Dominican priest from Italy, the Venerable Samuel Mazzuchelli OP.

The charism of the Dominican is to PREACH AND TEACH. This is the model of our Founder and this is what we here in Trinidad encourage our new members to emulate.