Deus qui inhabitare facit unanimes in domo

As the Rule reminds us, the first reason for which we are gathered together in community is to live in harmony, having one mind and heart in God. This unity transcends the limits of the monastery and attains its fulness in communion with the Order and with the whole Church of Christ. (Constitutions of the Nuns of the Order of Preachers (LCM) § 2.1)

A Dominican monastery is a community of women who consecrate themselves totally to a common search for God.
Prayer is our main apostolate, and the daily liturgy, where we listen to, receive and celebrate the Word of God structures our life. We make lifelong vows to live after the Evangelical counsels: obedience, chaste celibacy and voluntary poverty. Through the profession of these vows, we are consecrated to God and intimately bound to one another in a way that is meant to open us ever more fully to receiving and passing on to others the love of God, which is active in God's plan to bring salvation to all and bring everything into oneness in Christ (cf. Ep. 1:10). Our founder, Saint Dominic, gave himself completely as a servant of this plan of salvation, and with our brothers and sisters in his Order, we strive to do the same, each in accordance with out particular call and place in it.

The friars, sisters and laity of the Order are "to preach the name of our Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world;" the nuns are to seek, ponder and call upon him in solitude so that the word proceeding from the mouth of God may not return to him empty, but may accomplish those things for which it was sent (cf. Is. 55:10). (LCM §1.2)

In the midst of the Church their growth in charity is mysteriously fruitful for the growth of the people of God. By their hidden life they proclaim prophetically that in Christ alone is true happiness to be found, here by grace and afterwards in glory. (LCM § 1.5) 

The Word of God is central in the Dominican tradition - that is, the Word incarnate, Christ Himself. The Order is at the service of this Word. The nuns, though they do not have an external apostolate proclaim the Gospel of God by the example of their life. For they listen to the word, celebrate it and keep it in their hearts (cf. Lk. 2:18) (LCM § 96.1). In fact the whole life of the nuns is ordered so that the word of God may dwell abundantly in the monastery. Therefore, the nuns, after the example of the Precursor, should prepare the way of the Lord in the desert by the witness of their prayer and penance (LCM § 96.2). For this reason, a prayerful reading of the Scriptures (lectio divina) and scriptural and theological studies, have an important place in our life along with liturgical and personal prayer.

To earn our living, we have different workshops where we make "monastery products": lip balm, face cream, candles and cards, to name some examples. These are sold at the monastery and in certain other places. Along with providing us with our daily bread, work has its place in the monastic tradition in which we stand. Through it, we are united in solidarity with all people who have to work for their living, and especially with the poorest. Work is also an expression of our human dignity: creative activity shows us to be in the image of the Creator and co-creators with God. Lastly, work inserts a healthy balance into our daily rhythm.

Seeking one's vocation is, in the end, to seek one's home, the place in this world where one truly belongs. Courage is needed to embark on such a journey. Fortunately, we are never alone. The Lord walks with us on the way, and companions, brothers and sisters, are given us as helpers and guides along the road.
The community has an essential place in the Dominican life. Here, we are challenged and confirmed, moulded and formed into the person we are called to be. Here we learn to receive and give love and mercy - to give more love than we thought we were capable of, and to receive more mercy than we thought we needed. If it is our vocation, this is where we will be truly happy and at peace.

Augustine alludes in his Rule verse 6 of Psalm 66 (67): Deus qui inhabitare facit unanimes in domo, taking it to speak of God who lets us dwell together in unanimity. The verse into English (probably more correctly) however: God makes a home for the lonely.

Lunden Kloster is a home for us - could it be a home for you?