Our congregation, the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids, is an apostolic community of vowed women religious. We respond to a call to live our commitment made in baptism: to grow in the love of God.
Through ministry, community, study, and prayer we share Christ’s message — redemptive love that reflects God’s desire for a just world. Our hope is to continue opening ourselves to the power and presence of the Holy Spirit — and to be a flame of truth, love, hope, and mercy.
Jesus became human to show us how to love wholeheartedly, selflessly, inclusively, unconditionally.
~ Mary Ann Barrett, OP
Our desire is for our presence to nurture hope in the world. The Dominican Sisters have a passion for truth and a deep desire to transform and be transformed through the people and experiences that God brings into our lives. We willingly embrace the risk of preaching a gospel of hope, of love, mercy, and justice. Like our patron, St. Catherine of Siena, we minister so that others can be transformed in faith and community.
To live in gratitude, knowing that every person may be blessed and fulfilled by being open to relationship with God and others.
To live with love and compassion with others. As we are blessed, so we bless: To serve others through our ministries. To live with love and compassion. To promote justice for all. To care for the Earth.
Preaching is our service to the world.
Inspired by the spirit of our founder St. Dominic de Guzmán, we join the worldwide Order of Preachers (OP) carrying out an 800-year mission: Love
Through ministry, community, study, and prayer we share Christ’s message — redemptive love that reflects God’s desire for a just world. Our hope is to continue opening ourselves to the power and presence of the Holy Spirit — and to be a flame of truth, love, hope, and mercy.
Dominic valued right relationship and this ideal help ground our Congregation’s mission to be in right relationship—with community, with family and friends, and with our Creator.
We are emboldened and informed by our relationships with Dominican women and men worldwide through Dominican Sisters International Confederation (DSIC) and Ordo Praedicatorum. We join our voices with the many who have gone before us and intercede for us, models of discipleship, risking in faith, loving with passion, showing us how to live what we believe. Our solidarity helps promote human rights and sustainable development in a world where only justice will ensure security and dignity for all.
St. Dominic taught that prayer and study are intimately linked because they lead to a deepening faith in God. Study is essential to our Dominican life and mission. It informs our ministry, enriches our common life and is integral to our prayer. Study is a blessing we offer others through our ministries including Dominican Center at Marywood, where formation and transformation experiences are open to people of all faiths.
Every Sister has a story to tell, and the common threads of our stories are enhanced by one another. The unfolding of the mystery of God’s presence in our lives is awesome. We are grateful for these holy women and we continue to be enriched by their lives. Find a Sister. Share in a Sister’s prayer intention.
Was there a Sister who changed your life? Your perspective? Share your memory.
Marywood is 32-acre campus situated at the corner of Fulton Street and Lakeside Drive in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is home to the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids and many of our Congregation’s Sisters reside here at Marywood, Benincasa, and Aquinata Hall on Lakeside Drive. Within the Marywood motherhouse is Chapel of the Word. We are just a short walk or ride from Aquinas College and Dominican Center Marywood, and nearby neighborhoods of Eastown, Fulton Heights, Mid-Town, and East Grand Rapids.
In 2022, we sold our former motherhouse and several acres to (name). We are blessed by their multi-generational commitment: Whistlestop child development center and Academy Manor, affordable senior housing expected to open fall 2024.
Aquinata Hall is one of three residences on Marywood Campus. Sisters and lay residents are enriched by the pillars of Dominican life: prayer, study, community, and service. St. Catherine of Siena Chapel, featuring The Beatitudes in stained glass art, hosts daily prayers and mass. Our atrium and courtyard invite nature into our lives and inspire our resident gardeners and floral designers.
Planned activities foster spiritual and community life, drawing residents together with care professionals, student clinicians, Sisters, volunteers, the children of Whistle Stop Child Development Center, and so many who volunteer their time to be with others.
As you are blessed, may you bless others.
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