Are you called to a life as a Lay Dominican?
St. Catherine of Siena
The Life of a Dominican layperson is all about having a passion for the Word of God. It is about committing oneself to a community of like minded brothers and sisters that immerse themselves in the Word of God. “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).
Dominican Laity, as an extension of making our 'Home in the Word' seek to "breathe the Word of God" in our daily lives. We do this by reading the Holy Scripture; studying the teachings of the Church, engaging in and/or leading small faith groups, spending time in personal and liturgical prayer and in study, working for peace and justice, and sharing the Word of God with the people we meet in our every day life experiences. As Lay Dominicans we seek to make time for meditation and contemplation in an effort to discern ways to share what we have been given according to our abilities and the urging of the Holy Spirit. For some of us that may mean a life of prayer; for others, an intense love of study - perhaps leading to teaching or leading retreats; for many, it is a call to proclaim God's special love for each of his children by caring for the poor, the sick and dying, and/or the imprisoned much like our Patroness St. Catherine of Siena. All these activities speak a truth to our impoverished, hurting, and hungry world. But for a member of the Order of Preachers actual preaching is to hold pride of place particularly in places where the hierarchical ministry of the church is unavailable or ineffective. “But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can they preach unless they are sent? Thus faith comes from what is heard and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10: 14-15).
Although the ways in which we preach the Word may be as individual as the members of each community; it is our life within our communities that provides us with the nourishment we need. "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them" (Matthew 18:20). It is the love and support of our communities that nourishes each of us and gives us the strength to 'go out and share all that we have, knowing that when we return empty we will be once again filled with the Spirit'.
If you are not already a member of a Lay Dominican Community, there are communities across the United States and around the world. To find a community near you in the United States, contact:
Eastern Province Chapters: Eastern Province Chapters are located in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio).
Central Province Chapters: Central Province Chapters are located in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, and Wisconsin
Southern Province Chapters: Southern Province Chapters are located in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
Western Province Chapters: Western Province Chapters are located in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Still can't find a Chapter near you, visit the website of the Order of Preachers to find out how to connect to a Lay Dominican community near you.
Dominican Laity, as an extension of making our 'Home in the Word' seek to "breathe the Word of God" in our daily lives. We do this by reading the Holy Scripture; studying the teachings of the Church, engaging in and/or leading small faith groups, spending time in personal and liturgical prayer and in study, working for peace and justice, and sharing the Word of God with the people we meet in our every day life experiences. As Lay Dominicans we seek to make time for meditation and contemplation in an effort to discern ways to share what we have been given according to our abilities and the urging of the Holy Spirit. For some of us that may mean a life of prayer; for others, an intense love of study - perhaps leading to teaching or leading retreats; for many, it is a call to proclaim God's special love for each of his children by caring for the poor, the sick and dying, and/or the imprisoned much like our Patroness St. Catherine of Siena. All these activities speak a truth to our impoverished, hurting, and hungry world. But for a member of the Order of Preachers actual preaching is to hold pride of place particularly in places where the hierarchical ministry of the church is unavailable or ineffective. “But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can they preach unless they are sent? Thus faith comes from what is heard and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10: 14-15).
Although the ways in which we preach the Word may be as individual as the members of each community; it is our life within our communities that provides us with the nourishment we need. "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them" (Matthew 18:20). It is the love and support of our communities that nourishes each of us and gives us the strength to 'go out and share all that we have, knowing that when we return empty we will be once again filled with the Spirit'.
If you are not already a member of a Lay Dominican Community, there are communities across the United States and around the world. To find a community near you in the United States, contact:
Eastern Province Chapters: Eastern Province Chapters are located in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio).
Central Province Chapters: Central Province Chapters are located in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, and Wisconsin
Southern Province Chapters: Southern Province Chapters are located in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
Western Province Chapters: Western Province Chapters are located in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Still can't find a Chapter near you, visit the website of the Order of Preachers to find out how to connect to a Lay Dominican community near you.