What is the Charism of a Lay Dominican?

_________________________________ 

“Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.” 

- St. Catherine of Siena, Lay Dominican and Doctor of the Church 

__________________________________ 

The Dominican Order rests on a foundation over eight centuries old, anchored in the Sacred Tradition of our Church and our shared spiritual life. 

1. Prayer 

To pray is to commune with God through the Holy Spirit. For Dominicans, this includes the Liturgy of the Hours and a deep devotion to our Mother Mary through the Rosary. Prayer guides us back to what is Holy. 

2. Study 

We believe we are called to lifelong learning: of Scripture, theology, Church teachings, and more. We study through books, media, and discussions - not simply on an academic level, but to grow closer to God and take what we learned back to our community. Our studies prepare us to pass on the Gospel not in fear or ignorance, but in clarity and love. 

3. Community 

Our humanity has a universal need for community and connection. This need is honored as Lay Dominicans when we gather monthly and for special occasions to pray, learn, and grow in our faith together in a supportive environment. In these gatherings, you can find diversity in background, culture, education, and family dynamics - but also a shared joy for charity and community. We encourage each other through the seasons of life, walking together in a path we strive towards Christ. 

4. Preaching 

Every Dominican is a preacher - but how do we define it? Preaching isn’t only from an altar or through a homily. It can also be through a life of service, or in parish ministry, or teaching, etc. Or simply being ready to answer when we are genuinely asked, “What do you believe?” 

“Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.”

- commonly attributed to St. Francis of Assisi 

So how do we live out these pillars, as charisms, as Lay Dominicans? 

We walk with one foot in the Order and one foot in the everyday world - as singles, married people, parents, professionals. We live a Dominican spirituality but within an ever-changing society. 

We support each other in local chapters, like our Holy Rosary Chapter in the Province of St. Albert the Great, not just during monthly gatherings, but through the actions of daily life: when we implement the four pillars, with our charisms, in our community - we are choosing love and mercy. We recognize the inherent dignity of every person we come across as an opportunity to be instruments of Jesus’ love by seeing Him in our fellow creations. 

Jesus once said: 

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and not feed you, or thirsty and not give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and not invite you in, or needing clothes and not clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and not go to visit you?’ 

And he will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’” - Matthew 25:44-45 

We believe that to be Dominican is to serve with intention - and that service can be through various forms, depending on your vocation and the charisms the Holy Spirit has given you. But no matter what, at the root, is: 

Truth spoken with love. 

To love God through loving others. 

And to remember that God does not call the qualified - He qualifies the called.

By Katharina Locke

How Do I Become a Lay Dominican?

Called by the Holy Spirit, many seek to become a Lay Dominican, so that they can follow the examples of Saint Dominic, Saint Catherine of Sienna, and many other Dominican saints. Many seek to live lives of contemplation and mission, informed by the spiritual tradition of the Dominican Order. Still more seek out the Dominican Laity for community, accountability, and obedience to a Rule that orients you toward virtue, the proclamation of truth, the defense of justice and freedom, and the proclamation of the Gospel for the salvation of souls. The process to become a Lay Dominican takes years to complete. Here's the typical process:

Initial Steps:

• Contact a local Dominican Lay Fraternity.

• Attend a few meetings and events to learn about Dominican spirituality and charism.

• Meet with current members and/or the religious assistant (usually a Dominican friar).

• Once you have completed these initial steps, you will be invited to Formation.

Formation Period: The formation typically involves several stages over 4-5 years:

• Inquiry Formation - A six month period of formation in preparation for Reception that includes learning about St Dominic and the Four Pillars of Dominican Life. At Reception, you formally and publicly enter into the Order and Fraternity, receive the White Scapular, and assume a Dominican patron saint. At this point, you are only making a commitment to participating in formation. You can discern out at any time.

• Candidacy Formation - A one year period of formation in preparation for making First Profession, including learning about the Rule, Dominican history, spirituality, and practices. At First Profession, also called Temporary Profession, you formally and publicly make a promise to follow the Rule of the Lay Fraternities of Saint Dominic for three years. 

Temporary Profession Formation - A three year period of formation where you undertake a deeper study of Dominican saints, theology, and Dominican Spirituality in preparation for making Perpetual Profession. At Perpetual Profession, sometimes called Final Profession, you formally and publicly make a promise to follow the Rule of the Lay Fraternities of Saint Dominic for the rest of your life.