Through an Open Door

The “New World Symphony,” written by Czech composer Antonin Dvorak, was one of the first symphonic pieces I enjoyed listening to as a kid. Later I heard “Goin’ Home,” a song based on a movement of that symphony and arranged in the form of a Negro spiritual. I loved it as well. Since becoming a Dominican sister and living in three different cities in ten years (community life, study, ministry), I have been prompted numerous times to reflect on what “going home” means and feels like.

Home is no longer simply the city where I grew up. It is also the city I lived in for many years and where I return to spend time with family and old friends. Our Sinsinawa Dominican motherhouse, “the Mound,” has felt like home since my first visit. There are people, scattered throughout this country, who also feel like home to me. Yesterday morning, a Sinsinawa sister-friend passed away and has now ‘gone home’ to God. In life and in song:

“…It’s not far, jes’ close by,

Through an open door;

Work all done, care laid by….

Jes’ a livin’ on…

Goin’ home, goin’ home. I’m jes’ goin’ home.”

With whom and where is your experience of home?

Tanya Williams, OP

St. Louis Park, MN