The
Values of Dominican Life:
Reflections
in Preparation for the feast of St. Dominic
1. PRAYER AND
CONTEMPLATION:
Prayer is a
reference point through which we all better know God. The Eucharist and the
Liturgy of the Hours are the essential elements of Dominican prayer. The gift
of the Holy Rosary also has a special place in our life. Each friar must also
embrace personal prayer, essential to our life and preaching.
Dominican motto is contemplare et contemplata aliis tradere,
"to contemplate and hand on to others the fruits of contemplation," a
phrase articulated by St. Thomas Aquinas. Prayerful contemplation was central
to St. Dominic: he recognized that a strong spiritual life, a sound
relationship with God, and the prayerful processing of information and
experience were all necessary to the life of an active Christian and effective
preacher. Without the nourishment that solitude provides, without the strength
of conviction that prayer imparts, without the spiritual grounding that is
derived from connecting with God, all study and action would lack meaning and
truth.
2. COMMUNITY LIFE:
St. Dominic knew that, while itinerant in their ministry,
his preachers needed to have a place to come together for grounding and
nourishment, a community to return to for prayer, study, and mutual support and
encouragement. Community also provides an avenue for fostering interdependence
and a means of shifting focus from self-centeredness to the promotion of the
common good.
The integral nature
of Dominican community life lies in the fact that the community continually
shapes, supports and challenges each friar. More than just residences, a
Dominican community (priory) is a home – a place where the friar lives, prays,
recreates and continually encounters Christ in his brothers. Because of this,
it is often the starting point for preaching.
3. STUDY:
St. Dominic felt that his preachers needed to be grounded
intellectually and theologically before setting off to share the Good News.
Preaching had to focus on God’s mercy and love and needed to come from persons
whose lives were firmly planted in the Word they proclaimed.
Dominic sent his friars to the universities of
the day to give them a solid foundation in logic and in theology. Dominic knew
that this would not only ensure accurate teaching in the face of heretical
challenges, but that a thorough knowledge of the Gospel also would stir a
passion for justice.
In addition, he was keenly aware of the need
for his preachers to be actively involved with the common people. He believed
that their association with others at the university would help them focus
their preaching on the needs of the people. Study as an important component of
the preaching mission remains a fundamental value for Dominicans today.
4. MINISTRY:
All Christians are called to
minister to others or are "sent on mission" by virtue of their
baptism Since the Gospel compels the faithful to serve the needs of humanity,
to act with compassion, and to advocate for justice. To the open heart,
ministry provides an avenue for God's love and wisdom to mutually widen
perspectives and broaden understanding. Ministry, then, is important not only
for the work accomplished and word preached, but also in the search for truth.
Preaching the Word is our first priority. Each friar is actively involved in preaching in one way or the other.. We
take very seriously the honor and responsibility that come with preaching the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our
Dominican legacy calls us to preach the truth of the Gospel, first and
foremost. Our lives of prayer, study and community provide the environment for
Dominican preaching to grow and take root.
Compiled and presented by Brs. Kamson Teron & Prashant Pinto
