Wednesdays, in January and February: Using the book, Set the World on Fire: A 4-Week Personal Retreat with Female Doctors of the Church by Vinita Hampton Wright, we will delve into the life and prayer of St. Hildegard of Bingen.

A celebrated Doctor of the Church, Hildegard is a model for us of engaging life with great passion and creativity. She was a mystic, poet, musician, theologian, healer, naturalist, and so much more.

During the four weeks, we will learn about the sources of her holy curiosity and holy creativity, meditate on what God is saying to us through her, and focus our prayer on specific questions to help us follow God’s call to our own gifts. The author tells us, “[Hildegard] can inspire us to dwell deeply in our own experiences of faith and allow God’s energy to bring about creative work in whatever form . . . Who knows what will happen when we commune with our Creator and learn who we truly are!” 

Sr. Mary Ann Collins, OP, a Dominican Sister of Blauvelt, has been engaged in retreat work and spiritual direction for over 40 years.  She studied at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA and at Fordham University School of Religion and Religious Education, Bronx, NY.

Sr. Mary Ann has worked as a Vocation and Formation minister as well as served in leadership in her religious Congregation.  She worked as a hospice spiritual care leader and as a NYS Corrections Chaplain.  Sr. Mary Ann has facilitated retreats and spiritual direction in Florida, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia, and South Africa.

Angela Belsole is an Associate and former member of the Amityville Dominican Sisters. She has a BA in Theology and an MA in Spirituality and Spiritual Direction from Fordham University, Bronx, NY, as well as a certificate in fundraising from New York University.

Angela has worked in various roles in the Church for many years including retreats and days of renewal, director of religious education, and as a leader in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal on Long Island. She currently is Co-Chair of the We Move Forward Together Committee, an initiative of the Amityville Dominicans.