On Sunday, October 16, we will meet again at 10 a.m. at the Dominican House of
Studies for the inquirers’ class. Attached is the three-page module that we
will be discussing on Prayer. Let me know if you can come.
After the inquirers’ meeting, we will attend the 11:15 a.m. Mass with the friars.
Then there will be a pot-luck lunch (bring a non-dessert to share, if you can,
or juice).
Shortly before 1 p.m, we will assemble for a short business meeting and short
discussion of members’ apostolates while the candidates are in the chapel for a
short rehearsal of the ceremonies. The seven candidates for reception and
profession will be rehearsing at this time in the chapel.
The ceremonies are very beautiful. First will be the ceremony of reception. Amy
Stickland will be received as a novice. Then we will have the Ceremony of
Profession. We have one making a 3-year temporary profession and five making
perpetual profession. Jean-Francois Orsini, our prior, and Fr. John Baptist Ku,
O.P., our chaplain, will conduct the ceremonies, which will start right after
we finish chanting Midday Prayer.
When the ceremonies are finished, the candidates will inscribe their names in the
big book which includes all ceremonies held over the past 30 years in our
chapter.
Afterwards, return to St. Joseph’s Hall for the cutting of the black and white cake to
celebrate our new members.
Looking forward to seeing you on this very special day.
Yours in Our Lady of the Rosary,
Fran
P.S. We have moved the inquirers’ class to St. Joseph’s Hall.
I am a Professor Emeritus and Spiritual advisor in the Catholic University School of Nursing. I am also a member of a relatively new non-canonical community of Sisters. I was trained early in the Dominican tradition and have for about the past 6 weeks been attending liturgy (Lauds and Mass and OOR and Vespers) at the Dominican Priory.
I’m wondering if I might fit the potential category of “lay dominican” (actually Sisters are part of the laity, especially those of us in non-canonical groups)?
Unfortunately I would not be able to come at 10AM this weekend as we have our school of nursing “Committment Ceremony” at the Basilica at 9;30 on October 16; I could possibly come later?
Blessings and thank you for any advice,
Sister Mary Elizabeth O’Brien PhD, RN, MTS FAAN
Greetings Sr. O’Brien,
The short answer to your question, is yes, religious may be eligible for membership in the Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic. In fact, some of our chapter members are deacons and priests, and we have some members who started out as monks, sisters and/or nuns. We are also happy to say that some of our members have gone on to become ordained.
For centuries, we were known as Third Order Dominicans. The term lay Dominican was adopted in a relatively recent rule change. Many of us, myself included, believe the new terminology to be unfortunate and confusing, since we do have as members clerics and there are chapters for priests. I personally hope that in the future, we can go back to our traditional terminology. (I hasten to emphasize that this my personal view and is not an official reflection of that of the chapter or province. Many members are perfectly happy with the new language.)
Realistically, for some religious, there is a possible impediment to becoming a professed Dominican. In particular, candidates who belong to other orders can’t profess as a member of a different order without first being released of their initial promises. For example, as much as we love our Franciscan brothers and sisters, it isn’t permitted for a lay Franciscan to simultaneously become a lay Dominican and vice versa. The orders have different charisms, different spiritualties and different authorities.
In your case, because you belong to a non-canonical group, it may be possible that you are eligible to become a member of the Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic. Our Director of Inquirers, Fran Griffin, can help you make an initial determination of your eligibility at an inquirer’s meeting. The chapter council will make the final determination.
If it is determined that your status with your organization makes you in-eligible, don’t despair. There are other secular organizations in the Dominican family that can welcome you. See http://curia.op.org/en/index.php/eng/about-us/laity for information on other Dominican organizations.
One of my favorites that my wife and I may join, if God permits us to retire in good health, is Dominican Volunteers International. (http://www.dviop.org/eng/)
Their vision is “To encourage and strengthen the joint participation of nuns, friars, laity and sisters in the mission of preaching the Gospel according to the charism of St. Dominic on the frontiers of global society. This is carried out concretely by sending lay volunteers with certain charisms, and with formation received through DVI, to Dominican communities, preferably those already working among impoverished, excluded people.”
In any event, you would be most welcome to attend one of our Inquirer’s meetings, usually held at 10:00 am on the third Sunday of each month at the Dominican House of Studies. You might wish to stay for some or all of the events for the rest of the day: mass, followed by a lunch buffet, a short business meeting, afternoon prayer and perhaps some repast at Colonel Brooks tavern.
If you or any of our web visitors would like to attend, please contact Fran Griffin at Inquirers@dominicanwitness.com.
Yours in Christ
Steve G.
Editor at DominicanWitness.com