There are others, but I know this House personally and can vouch for how cool they are: Dominican Sisters of the English Congregation of St. Catherine of Siena, aka the Stone Dominicans.

I got to know them when I was studying theology - a (then) junior was studying with me. She's since made final vows and has graduated (I left after the first year). They run a school and nursing home as well as carrying out catechetical and pastoral ministries in the local area. The novitiate house is (I believe) in Cambridge, so that the novices can study with the brothers at the university.

Something that they do, though, that goes beyond the locality is organise St. Thomas weekends for young adults. They're kind of mini-retreats which have a specific theme, and throughout the weekend there's lots of informal study and plenty of discussions. When I went to them they'd attract maybe a dozen or so people, but I haven't been there in ages so I couldn't tell you how many go now.

As for the life of the sisters - they pray five of the Offices a day (although sometimes I think Readings is prayed with Midday) as well as daily Mass. Their choir and church (which is also the local parish church) are just lovely! The latter was restored a few years ago to remove some nasty whitewashing, and revealed some really beautiful murals underneath.

Just a heads up for anyone who might be interested

Love and prayers,

PP

Hi PP,
You mentioned an interest in the Dominicans in another thread. Do you have some thoughts of discerning with this congregation too? From what you have written here, they sound like a fine group of religious.

Arrrgh! Heh heh heh

I don't know. Perhaps. I'm going to write to my aforementioned friend and slyly bring it up and see what she says. She's bright so I'm confident she'll get the hint - even though I'm admittedly not that subtle in the first place!

On the other hand, I was chatting to my Bishop the other evening and he made lots of positive noises about me and the Benedictines. We shall see, I guess!

Love and prayers,

PP

PS Still reckon Bennies rock more, though.

I say scratch a Benedictine down deep enough and you will find a Domincan wanting to come out!!

Come on over to the Dominican side

Nooooo! *waves her medal, scapular and Regula in passionheart's general direction* Nooooo! I shall never succumb. Unless God wants me to. Ack.

No. Me Benny.

(still going to write that letter though)

Love and (semi-teasing) prayers,

PP

Just saw these German Benedictines if your more interested in an active vocation
Benedictines of St. Albans http://www.kloster-st-alban.de/

These sisters fascinate me to no end.
http://web.tiscali.it/catacombe_priscilla/...ofPriscilla.htm