What is Associate Life?
The very purpose of the gifts of the spirit – is to share them. Dominican Associates are non-vowed women and men who desire to practice their Christian faith in the spirit of the Dominican Order of Preachers. Associates follow a formation path that includes classes and mentoring by other Associates and Dominican Sisters.
Associated with the worldwide Order of Preachers, our Associates preach through their presence — in word and deed. They find joy in sharing the good news of the Gospel in many diverse ways. Like others in the Dominican Family, Associates are empowered by their faith and deepen that faith through Prayer, Study, Community, and Service.
Associate Mission
Touched by the Holy One, we journey in solidarity with the Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids and with one another. Connecting and collaborating in Christian mission and spirituality, we embrace the Dominican charism, ministering in joyful faith and compassionate love.
Pillars of Dominican Spirituality
A deep desire to transform and be transformed through the people and experiences that God brings into our lives is foundational to the spirituality of the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids. Walking with others — in Community — is one of the four pillars of Dominican Spirituality.
The other pillars include: prayer, study, and ministry (service).
Associates hear a call to a deeper holiness and express a desire for a formal but non-vowed affiliation with the Dominican Sisters~Grand Rapids. They nurture this call through the practices (pillars), choosing ways that align with their life.
Prayer & Liturgy — Be With Us
Liturgy of the Hours
The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God, is a daily prayer of the Catholic Church that sanctifies the day and marks the hours. All are welcome to prayer.
Download Liturgy of the Hours
Daytime Prayer– Can be prayed at Midmorning, Midday, or Midafternoon
Evening Prayer– A prayer of gratitude for what has been given or done well during the day
Night Prayer– The last prayer of the day, said before retiring
Office of Readings — Can be prayed at any time during the day
Sunday Assembly
Worship In Person With Us
Marywood Chapel of the Word is located in our motherhouse at 111 Lakeside Ave, NE in Grand Rarpids, Michigan. We assembly for Sunday Liturgy at 10:00 am.
Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer with Esther Yff-Prins is held via Zoom every Tuesday noon-12:30 pm
No registration is required. No cost. Join the prayer
Participants will be greeted around 11:50 am. Come early, and please feel free to invite a friend or family member to join us!
Contemplative Retreats
Retreats hosted by Dominican Center Marywood at Aquinas College — both silent and workshop-style — are offered throughout the year.
For those with busy schedules, the Renew Retreat is an individual or group contemplative pilgrimage retreat. We provide you with scriptural and prayerful prompts aligned with the four elements — fire, water, earth, and air — to guide you in strengthening your awareness of the Divine presence, in you, and in the world. After your hour or two pilgrimage in the St. Francis Garden, a certified spiritual director meets with you at the Dominican Center Marywood to help unpack your new awareness. In that sacred space you can encounter God’s presence and share renewed realizations. View more
Advent O Antiphons
During the holy season of Advent, join the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids community for a unique, seven-night Advent experience of prayer and song to quiet your heart and nurture your spirit. Each night begins with a candlelight procession, liturgical music, scripture reading, and preaching — as we anticipate the birth of Jesus. New guest preachers join us each year.
News & Inspiration
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