We all wonder when we hear about
Dominican Spirituality. What is it? If
we take in general sense Dominican Spirituality is something to do with seeking
for Truth. Dominican Spirituality is a unique way of seeking the truth in a
Dominican way. Dominican Spirituality includes Devotion to Crucifix, Word of
God, Rosary etc. Dominican Spirituality in itself may not be found as something
separately existing but it is something that is adapted and learnt from others.
Dominican Spirituality is supposed to be seen in the life of every Dominican.
For example in their unique way of studying, praying, mediating, sharing,
caring, celebrating the Divine Office, community life, vows, celebrating Mass,
preaching, work etc. something that is, has an end, the end of our preaching is
for the salvation of souls which is the chrism of the order, and to achieve
this we have 4 broad means. They are: vows, community life, celebrating of
Divine Office and prayer and finally study that is the sacred Scripture of
faith. Now let us deeply and briefly know what Dominican Spirituality is all
about.
1. Dominican Spirituality has its base on Christian Spirituality that is witnessing the life, mission, passion, death
and resurrection of Christ the Savior.
2. It has its base on its commitment to
the doctrinal teaching of the Church
3. Contemplate and share the fruit of
contemplation.
a.
contemplation: (mystical experience) prayer: community prayer+ personal prayer,
Study of sacred Scripture of faith. Vows, community life, meditation and
ultimately the search and study of the Truth. The great contemplatives of our order
are: Catherine of Siena, Martin De Pores, St. Dominic.
b. Preaching:
that is the active apostolate. i. e. sharing the fruit of contemplation. Preaching for the salvation of souls is the
reason why St. Dominic founded the order of preachers and the preaching is the
main chrism of the order. The Dominican Preaching includes first seeking the
Truth and then preaching or defending the Truth, that is what the early
Dominicans did. whenever the Truth was sought the Dominicans were available and
found there to defend. And they contributed to the Church in terms of Truth in
a large way, and that is what makes Dominicans unique and Dominican preaching
too. for ex. St. Thomas Aquinas whom the Church still refers for her teaching
on Dogmas, Doctrines.
4. Virtue of Charity: St. Dominic
preached that the virtue of Charity should be the highest virtue. That includes
the Love of God and love of Neighbor.
5. Dominican Spirituality is the image of St. Dominic. That includes;
plans, ideas of Dominic, his unique of following Christ. That includes manifest
the intention of St. Dominic that is spirit of Dominic and develop his plans
and ideas in modern technique.
Whatever we do in line with the intention
of St. Dominic and the church, everyone is unique to follow Christ. Let us
adapt, as Dominicans, the spirit of Dominic using all modern teaching the
methods available.
Compiled and presented by Brs. Dileep and Lorance
