How the Dominican Catholic Order Influences Our Faith Teachings

At St. Agnes Academy, faith formation is not confined to a single class or moment. Dominican spirituality is embedded in everything we do at St. Agnes Academy. It shapes how students learn, how they grow in faith, and how they understand their place in the world.

This foundation comes directly from the Dominican Catholic order, whose traditions have shaped Catholic education for more than 800 years and continue to guide Catholic education with intention and depth.

Understanding the Dominican tradition helps explain why faith teaching at St. Agnes emphasizes truth-seeking, thoughtful inquiry, and a strong sense of community alongside academic excellence.

As families consider where their daughters will spend their high school years, academics and extracurriculars matter. Just as important, though, is how students are taught to think, reflect, and live. The Dominican tradition offers a clear framework for forming capable, compassionate young women prepared for both college and life beyond.

St. Agnes Academy was founded in 1905 by Mother Pauline Gannon, O.P., Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Houston. From the beginning, the school was designed as a community-centered, faith-based institution committed to uplifting young women academically, spiritually, and personally.

That mission is grounded in the Dominican understanding of education as formation. Learning is not simply about acquiring information. It is about shaping the whole person.

At the heart of the Dominican order is the search for truth, known as veritas. Founded by St. Dominic and formally approved by Pope Honorius III on December 22, 1216, the Order of Preachers was created to engage the world thoughtfully and faithfully.

Dominican education encourages students to ask questions, pursue understanding, and see truth as something to be sought with humility and care. This belief shapes how theology, ethics, and Catholic Social Teaching are approached at St. Agnes.

Dominican life is built around four essential pillars that continue to guide faith formation today:

- Study is viewed as a spiritual discipline. Great Dominican scholars such as St. Thomas Aquinas and Albert the Great demonstrated that faith and reason are not in conflict, but work together to deepen understanding.

- Prayer grounds daily life. At St. Agnes, prayer is woven into the rhythm of the school day through Mass, liturgical celebrations, and quiet moments of reflection that help students develop a personal relationship with God.

- Community reminds students that they belong to something greater than themselves. Dominican spirituality emphasizes interconnectedness with family, school, Church, and the wider world.

- Preaching is lived through action. It calls students to share truth and compassion through their words, choices, and service to others.

Dominican spirituality invites joy. Students are encouraged to discover their gifts, pursue creativity, and grow with confidence. Whether through athletics, fine arts, leadership opportunities, or service, students learn that joy and faith are deeply connected.

Saints such as Catherine of Siena and St. Martin de Porres modeled this joy through lives of courage, compassion, and service. Their witness continues to shape how students at St. Agnes are encouraged to live their faith authentically.

A commitment to social justice is central to Dominican life. Students learn that sharing what they have and standing up for what is right are essential expressions of faith.

Honoring the dignity of every individual is not abstract. It is practiced daily through service, respect, and responsibility. This understanding prepares students to engage the world thoughtfully and act with integrity long after graduation.

The Dominican family today includes friars, sisters, and lay Dominicans serving around the world. From congregations of Dominican sisters in schools to houses of studies in places like Washington, D.C., the tradition remains vibrant and relevant.

Across centuries, including periods of growth in the nineteenth century, the Dominican mission has remained consistent: seek truth, preach with compassion, and serve with humility.

The influence of the Dominican Catholic order helps explain what makes a Dominican education distinct. At St. Agnes, faith is not added on. It is integrated into every part of school life.

If you are interested in understanding what students experience day to day at St. Agnes Academy, the Dominican tradition provides a clear picture. It shows how prayer, study, community, and preaching come together to form young women who graduate grounded in truth, guided by faith, and prepared to lead with confidence and purpose. 

Find out more information about St. Agnes’ Dominican tradition. You can also schedule a campus visit with your child to get an even better feel for the school, our values, and Dominican spirituality.