ANN ARBOR, MI (Catholic Online) - Their community began in 1997 in response to the call of the Venerable John Paul II for a “New Evangelization.” Their life and work is rooted in the charism of St. Dominic and fueled by their immersion in deep prayer and adoration. Their growth is astounding - and their reach is expanding. Mother Assumpta Long, O.P. explains the work of this community of sisters in these words:

“We are consecrated women first, and so our foremost model is Mary, the Mother of God. Inspired by the charism of St. Dominic, our prayer life comes first so that our apostolate overflows from a contemplation nourished before the Eucharist."

The sisters have become a welcome site at the annual March for Life. In fact, their distinctive religious habits can usually be seen wherever the Holy Spirit is at work revitalizing the Church and inspiring the “New Evangelization.”

They are true missionaries for a new missionary age. They are also a sign of what is to come. Anybody who encounters one of these sisters walks away from that exchange smiling. Because they are filled with the true joy of the Lord, simply being in their presence makes you happy. Now, through this Oprah Winfrey appearance, millions of people will receive the gift and be drawn to the One who is its source, Jesus Christ.

These women of God are clear about who they are, because they are clear about who the Lord is - and what it means to serve Him and His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. They are an example of the dynamic orthodoxy which characterizes the religious communities in the Catholic Church which are flourishing - and fuels the new ones which are emerging. The Holy Spirit is guiding the Church into the missionary work of the Third Millennium.

They explain their part in this mission in this way: “The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist is a Roman Catholic community of women religious founded as a response to Pope John Paul II’s call for new religious foundations to embody the graces of the New Evangelization of the third millennium Church.

"Through profession of the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, along with a contemplative emphasis on Eucharistic adoration and Marian devotion, our community exists for the salvation of souls and the building of the Church throughout the world.

"Our apostolate, as spiritual mothers, is the preaching and teaching of Truth.”

How refreshing this kind of convinced Catholic Christian faith truly is in an age which has suffered under the ravages of what Pope Benedict XVI rightly called a “Dictatorship of Relativism.” These sisters have set markers for their mission:

“Attract and form women to be faithful religious serving the Church for the good of souls, especially through the total gift of themselves as spiritual mothers and brides of Christ; Establish and support Catholic schools steeped in the rich culture of the Catholic faith to nourish the spiritual formation of youth, their families and society; Promote the culture of life and respect for the dignity of each person through apostolic work; and Respond to the needs of the Church arising in the third millennium through teaching, catechesis and evangelization.”

Now, they will have the attention of one of the largest television audiences in the world in order to tell the “Good News” and invite other young women to respond to the continuing call of the Lord to “Come, Follow Me!” The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist will be interviewed by Oprah Winfrey on Tuesday, February 9, 2010. Sister Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz, OP, vocations director for the community, told the Catholic News Agency, “They phoned us and asked if they could do a program on us with Oprah. That's all we know!”

Catholic News Agency reported this weekend:

“The show featuring the sisters will air on Tuesday, February 9, 2010. The same day happens to be the congregation’s 13th anniversary. The coincidence is “amazing, as they did not know this when they chose the date -- but God did!” exclaimed the vocations director.

“When asked why they chose to accept the invitation and appear on the show, “Oprah is powerful -- we entrust this endeavor to Mother Mary for the greater glory of her Son! It's truly been a lot of fun as 'the world' does not begin to understand our life,” the Dominican said. “Hopefully, this will inspire more people to love God and serve Him in the manner He invites each of us -- and get the Gospel on the airwaves!!”

“The Dominican Sisters of Mary were founded in 1997 by four Dominican sisters responding to John Paul II’s call for a new evangelization. In the 13 years of their existence, they have grown to almost 100 members. Their newly constructed motherhouse is already filled to capacity.

Currently the average age of the sisters is 26 and the average age of their postulants is 21.

“Young people, inspired by John Paul the Great and Pope Benedict XVI, are generous and desirous of living sacrificial, authentic lives as God asks of them,” Sr. Joseph Andrew said.

“We agreed (to be on the show) because it will further understanding of Religious Life,” she added. “The Catholic Church is alive, well, and thriving as is authentic religious life,” she added.”