This Advent, Dominican Sister Gabriella Yi will lead a women’s retreat with us the weekend of December 7-9. We invite all women of the Archdiocese who are 18 and older to join us for this time of prayer, discussion, and fellowship.
Q: Sister, please tell us a little bit about yourself! Where you work, your position and responsibilities. If you’d like to share, tell us about your hobbies, interests, talents, etc.
Sister Gabriella: After seven years in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, I have moved back to Nashville to teach at Aquinas College. While I am excited to teach theology at our own Catholic college close to home, I will miss all the wonderful people I have met in the Pacific Northwest, and so look forward to returning to the area in December.
Because my transcendental is beauty, my interests have always tended towards the artistic. I am currently working on a replica of one of Monet’s waterlily paintings and love to arrange flowers for our beautiful chapel at St. Cecilia Motherhouse.
Q: What drew you most to the religious life, and in particular, to the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia?
What drew me most to the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia was seeing the beauty and joy of their life that I never dreamed existed. Beauty and joy have a drawing power that is hard to resist.
Q: What have been your biggest challenges in your vocation? Your biggest joys?
I would say that the biggest challenges in my vocation have come from being confronted with my own weaknesses and limitations. It is painful to admit that I don’t have all the answers and I can’t do it all myself. Yet, I have come to see that we were never meant to go through life alone, relying on our own resources. Our weaknesses can be a source of strength when they prompt us to look beyond ourselves to God and to others. We as women can support one another on the path to holiness. Sharing the insights I have gained from my own struggles is probably one of my biggest joys.
Q: Your advent retreat for women is entitled “Growing in Beauty, Truth, and Goodness.” Could you delve into the theme of the retreat for us? What can women expect?
I mentioned that beauty is my transcendental which means that it is the primary way that God draws me to himself. It is the lens through which I view things and make sense of them. For others, their transcendental may be truth or goodness, but all three are connected to one another. Women can expect to learn more about beauty, truth, and goodness, how they are connected, why we long for them, and how they can lead us to God.
If you have not already registered for the women’s Advent retreat, we encourage you to do so today! Call our office at 206-274-3123 or email us at palisades@seattlearch.org.