Charism

What Does Charism Mean?

A congregation’s charism is the particular stamp or mark that makes one identifiable, enlivening both the group and each individual. It is similar to family members who are recognized by similarities in appearance, mannerisms, behaviors, approach to life, and so on.

The mark or spirit of a charism is demonstrated in the lives of the religious. A sister mirrors the traditions of the congregation. She lives the unwritten heritage as well as the written Constitutions and Rules.

A sister becomes a Dominican of Our Lady of the Springs by professing the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience to God and to the Prioress according to the Constitutions of the congregation and the Rule of St. Augustine. 

Vatican II called all religious to renew their founding charism and to adapt its original charism to the current times. Dominic’s spirit from the beginning was progressive, not stagnant, as he introduced necessary innovations to confront the problems of the 13^th century church. Thus, from the start, the Order incorporated the concept of adapting to the needs of the church at any given historical time. Today we continue this principle of adaptation.