Dominicans in the summertime

Summertime is a great time to be a Dominican.  Actually, I have to admit that any time of year is a great time to be Dominican.  And, in summertime, it seems even more joyful to Praise, to Bless, and to Preach – which, of course, are the mottos of our Order.

Each morning this summer, whenever I am home and the heat has not hit an impossibly high number in the early morning, I go out behind our garage and sit on what we affectionately refer to as North Campus.  Praising God comes so easy back there with the trees and flowers in full bloom.  The squirrels and birds of all kinds have grown use to my presence and seem to carry on their morning routines with a familiarity that makes me smile.  I feel like one of the gang!  I see a pair of cardinals almost everyday.  Yellow birds are my absolute favorite.  One day, one of the trees on the other side of the fence was full of yellow finches.  I was moved to tears. 

The tomatoes, beans, squash, and other veggies that are growing in our garden at an astonishing rate make it so easy to count my blessings.

I go to the North Campus to pray each morning.  Some days I think all I do is get filled with the wonder around me.  Those are probably the best prayer days of all.  I am confident that this quiet morning time will influence my preaching with new ways to share the Good New.  And, that is what we as Dominicans want to do, in the summertime and all year round, share with our sometimes suffering, sometimes hopeful world the Good News of the Resurrected Christ in our midst.

  

Peggy Ryan, OP

Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin