About Dominican Center

The charism of the Dominican Order of Preachers is to preach the good news of Jesus Christ through a joyful spirit and an informed faith. Rooted in this charism and tenets of Dominican Life — prayer, study, service, and community — the Sisters set about thoughtfully creating a spirituality and conference center. This new center was to make a difference in the world by welcoming others to witness the power of Spirit through experiential prayer, shared study, service, and community building.

When Dominican Center opened its doors in 1993, with so many gifts to share, the Sisters invited people of all faith traditions and walks of life to sit alongside the Sisters in worship, a tradition that still stands today.

Dominican Center guests were, and are, welcomed to take part in prayer and worship at Dominican Center and in the chapels at Marywood. The Sisters’ invitation also extends to the campus’s tranquil gardens and grounds.

When the center opened its doors, the Sisters were inspired to pass along their Dominican passion for study and learning. The Sisters explored ways to adapt this passion to the experience of adult learners and spiritual seekers.

To support the Leadership, Liturgy, and Bodyworks learning tracks that were developed, building renovation was undertaken including conference spaces under the chapel in the main wing of Marywood, additional spaces, and a bookstore to support the center’s programs.

The conference and dining spaces attracted area thought-leaders for business lunches; strategic planning sessions for area churches were facilitated. Dominican Center also opened up its meeting and conference rooms to non-profit organizations and corporations as well as to those seeking venues for special events.

The chapel team offered programs on prayer and liturgical seasons. For the bodywork track, the ministry connected with St. Dominic’s tradition of prayer with the body. Yoga, therapeutic massage, and Feldenkrais programs were added to the schedule.

In 1997, Dominican Center developed and launched a year-long, multi-track Spiritual Formation program where participants were invited to explore their own spiritual lives. Studying beside the mystics and Christian spiritual giants, the underlying theme of the program was, and still is today, one of discernment: “How do I hear and respond to Spirit in my life?”

Participants with a desire to further deepen their spiritual journeys sought out the growing Spiritual Companioning program and the Spiritual Direction Practicum, a two-year program that attunes the listening ear to those around them. The first year of the program focuses on personal transformation, and the second highlights social transformation. Learners of all faiths from around the country began seeking out Dominican Center formation programs.

Group and individual retreats also became part of Dominican Center offerings, making it possible for people to journey into silence and find God at their center. Individual-directed and private retreats and days away were made available using the overnight rooms at Dominican Center.

Throughout the years, the Sisters have developed varied learning tracks and programs. Always collaborative, Dominican Center has a history of partnering with organizations, churches, colleges and universities, and authors, artists, and activists to deliver transformative, spiritual, thought-provoking, and often life-changing programs, exhibits, presentations, and community conversations.

Since the beginning, when visitors came to Dominican Center, the Sisters aspired to have each and every one feel a deepening connection to community, family life, and business relationships, and through these experiences, an expanded sense of themselves as belonging to the family of God.

In welcoming others to Dominican Center, the Sisters not only opened their home to the community, but also volunteered as hospitality ministers. Because of their deep sense of love and of stewardship for the building and grounds that they so intentionally share, the Sisters humbly and warmly welcome all to this place where they have worshiped and studied, expanded their Congregation and personal ministries, stood for justice, hosted the community, and tended to the Holy.