I have just returned from the Collaborative Dominican Novitiate in St. Louis, where I took our new novice, Katherine. She will spend the next 10 months there with two other Dominican novices and the two Dominican Sisters who direct the novitiate. It's a big step. She is far away from the motherhouse and with all new people. She will grow in her identity as a Dominican Sister, and yet Adrian will remain her home. She will have many new experiences in an unfamiliar city and a new graduate school.

 

To take this step, Katherine had to be willing to risk so much newness all at once. She also has to trust that these new people will care for her and help her on this journey. She will need a spirit of adventure to really enjoy all this change.

 

In so many ways, these words describe any big life choice we make when we are following the Spirit of God. We need to be willing to risk. There are no guarantees and life is not easy. We also need to trust that God is walking with us and that good people will appear on this path. Finally, we need the joy to see it as an adventure - one more step in our life-long journey with Jesus.

 

Eighteen years ago, I was in Katherine's exact position, being dropped off at the Novitiate by my formation director. I was really nervous. But the openness to risk, to trust, and to a spirit of adventure served me well then. They have served me well as I have continued on this path that never ceases to bring new challenges and adventures.

 

When have you been asked by God to step out to risk and trust in a new adventure? Is God asking that of you now?