What is a Lay Dominican?

A Lay Dominican is either married or single and embodies the Dominican Charism within their state of life. The Lay Dominican embraces the Dominican spirituality of a love for study, prayer and contemplation, truth, and preaching, obeying the Rule of St. Dominic, followed by every Dominican. Although we do not embrace communal living and vows of chastity and poverty as do Dominican friars and religious sisters, community is an important aspect for a Lay Dominican. Monthly gatherings are crucial for a Lay Dominican as community life is founded upon this monthly meeting. Outside events (e.g. attending a Mass and dinner together to honor a Dominican Saint) are other ways in which family life for a Lay Dominican is sustained.  

We are similar to Friars and Religious Sisters in that they fully embrace their identity as being a part of the Dominican family. We pray the Divine Office (Morning  Prayer, Evening Prayer and optional Night Prayer), the Rosary, and through the study and meditation of Sacred Scripture. Lay Dominicans vary in how they live out the call to preach and teach. Some are teachers, but others might be in another field of work, or are called to preach and teach through their vocation of motherhood or fatherhood. Although the job and  vocation will look different for each Lay Dominican, Lay Dominicans are nonetheless members of the Dominican family.

St. Rose of Lima, O.P.: Lay Dominican

St. Catherine of Siena, O.P.: Lay Dominican