• Sharing prayer, conversation and a meal at a local community of sisters. In this way, the woman is introduced to us and can discern a feeling of "fit."
  
  
• Attending our celebrations, ceremonies, and events. This offers experiences of witness the joy and celebration of the commitment of our life.
  
  
• Staying with us for a few days in our convents . This offers the opportunity to live and walk with sisters and experience what our daily life of prayer, ministry and community is like.

In addition, the Vocation Office sponsors a series of retreats and days of prayer, which assist a woman in her discerning her call. Some of these events are scheduled, while many are arranged to work with the calendar and schedule of the woman. The woman in discernment is in regular contact with the vocation minister by email, phone and meetings with the sisters for a year prior to applying. This time of discernment gives the inquirer a chance to listen deeply to God's word in her life, the opportunity to learn more about our spirit, and time to develop relationships with The Dominican Sisters of San Rafael.