Journey to religious life continues for engineering graduate

Guest writer: Kevin Keenan

She was born Andrea Elizabeth Hooper, but today, she is known as Sister Dominica Hooper, O.P., (Order of Preachers). This 27-year old former civil engineer is now a member of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.

Sister Dominica (center) with her parents Deacon Mark and Linda Hooper.

Sister Dominica made her first profession of vows on Aug. 3, 2012, at Christ the King Church in Ann Arbor, Mich. What follows will be a three-year period of poverty, chastity and obedience. She will again profess temporary vows for two more years, and five years from now, she will make her perpetual vows. "Making a first profession of vows is a commitment to a state of life, just as marriage or ordination to the priesthood," Sister Dominica said. "It is the confirmation of a decision of the individual, the congregation and the Church that one is called to follow Jesus Christ more closely. It is a profession of love in which one becomes the Bride of Christ. He is our all and we seek to know Him more."

Sister Dominica grew up in the Buffalo, NY area and attended Immaculata Academy in Hamburg. In 2007, she graduated from University of Detroit Mercy with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. She then worked for two years inspecting bridges and other construction projects for URS Corporation in Southfield, Mich., before answering the call to religious life.

As a young professed sister, Sister Dominica will continue with her formation at the Dominican motherhouse in Ann Arbor. She is also studying for her teaching certification in secondary education in math and physics at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich. The Dominican Sisters of Mary teach in four high schools and at a number of Catholic elementary schools across the nation.

Growing up, Sister Dominica took part in CYO at her parish; she participated in the Diocese of Buffalo Youth Convention and served on the diocesan Youth Board. She also attended World Youth Day in Toronto, Cologne, Germany and Sydney, Australia.

"The day of my first vows, and especially the liturgy, was the most joyful day of my life," she said

See previous article on Hooper in the Fall 2010 Spiritus.