House of Discernment for Catholic Women

Magnificat House in New Orleans
The Dominican Sisters of Peace recently participated in the blessing of Magnificat House of Discernment for Catholic women discerning a call to Religious Life. Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans established this house, the first of its kind in the United States for post-college age women to live in community while discerning a call to become a Sister.

The house is in a former rectory in New Orleans and can accommodate as many as seven women living together. The program revolves around an established routine that includes private prayer time, formation, spiritual direction, community prayer, and shared meals. Two local Sisters serve as mentors.

The House of Discernment is a joint effort of various congregations of women religious in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. As Dominican Sisters of Peace, we are actively engaged in bringing this dream to fruition by serving on several committees, contributing furnishings, and actually helping in the setting up of the house. We will continue to be actively involved in the House of Discernment by serving on committees and hosting the discerners in various ways in order to acquaint them with our charism.