Dominican Third Order?

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I’m in the middle of Spiritual Direction in the Dominican Tradition by Ashley. Wonderful book; very insightful into both the Dominican charism and individual human spirituality.

I don’t have a spiritual advisor, amn’t looking for one, but this is a nice technical look into these two areas.
 
Captain_America said:
I’m in the middle of Spiritual Direction in the Dominican Tradition by Ashley. Wonderful book; very insightful into both the Dominican charism and individual human spirituality.

I don’t have a spiritual advisor, amn’t looking for one, but this is a nice technical look into these two areas.
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I haven’t started that book yet but it is on my list. I am finishing a book on Aquinas right now and plan to dive into Early Dominicans - Selected Writings next.

Peace,
 
A beautiful letter written by fr. Bruno Cadore, OP to the Dominican Family. I hope that all of you enjoy it as much as I did! Thanks to fr. Carmen Mele, OP for sending it to me.

Peace,

Jason
 
jwinch2 said:
A beautiful letter written by fr. Bruno Cadore, OP to the Dominican Family. I hope that all of you enjoy it as much as I did! Thanks to fr. Carmen Mele, OP for sending it to me.

Peace,

Jason
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Awesome, awesome.

Women evangelizing? 👍
 
Hi Jwinch and Melchior,

How is your postulancy going?

Anything you can share?
 
TrueLight said:
Hi Jwinch and Melchior,

How is your postulancy going?

Anything you can share?
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Hi!

So far things are going very well. My only real frustration is that since we only meet once a month as a group, I feel like I am more on my own through the process than I would like to be. Our group consists of myself, and several very nice ladies who are all in their 50’s and above. Because of this, none of them are really online much or even use e-mail regularly. This leads to pretty much zero communication between our meetings so things like sharing documents that someone comes across, have a discussion online such as you might find here at CAF, etc. are out of the questions.

Having said all of that, they really are nice ladies and they have been quite good to me. However, I cannot help but wish that there were some people closer to my own age and/or that were more up to date from a technology standpoint.

In order to get around that, I have discussions here, I speak with Fr. Mele, OP on a regular basis, and I try to start discussion on my facebook group. Fr. Mele is looking into getting me an invitation to the annual retreat for all of the friars in the southern province. It is supposed to be more of a spiritual retreat this year rather than a business meeting as in years past and since he brought it up, I am hoping that it works out. We’ll have to wait and see I guess.

I hope that everyone is well.

Our Holy Fathers Dominic and Francis, Pray for us.

Peace,
 
I’ve been very transparent on these boards about my ADHD issues, and some would say God is giving me a teachable moment regarding patience.

I still haven’t met with the head of the Priory yet, due to his insane schedule. Apparently the head of a college is in demand or something, he travels between three cities. All we need to do to get started is to meet with him.

So in the meantime, I’m biding my time and being patient. Doing some reading, writing.
 
jwinch2 said:
Hi!

So far things are going very well. My only real frustration is that since we only meet once a month as a group, I feel like I am more on my own through the process than I would like to be. Our group consists of myself, and several very nice ladies who are all in their 50’s and above. Because of this, none of them are really online much or even use e-mail regularly. This leads to pretty much zero communication between our meetings so things like sharing documents that someone comes across, have a discussion online such as you might find here at CAF, etc. are out of the questions.

Having said all of that, they really are nice ladies and they have been quite good to me. However, I cannot help but wish that there were some people closer to my own age and/or that were more up to date from a technology standpoint.

In order to get around that, I have discussions here, I speak with Fr. Mele, OP on a regular basis, and I try to start discussion on my facebook group. Fr. Mele is looking into getting me an invitation to the annual retreat for all of the friars in the southern province. It is supposed to be more of a spiritual retreat this year rather than a business meeting as in years past and since he brought it up, I am hoping that it works out. We’ll have to wait and see I guess.

I hope that everyone is well.

Our Holy Fathers Dominic and Francis, Pray for us.

Peace,
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Sounds exciting.

As you pointed out before, it seems that in any third order group, a lot of the study, work, prayer goes on outside of the meetings.

Thanks so much for sharing.
Melchior said:
So in the meantime, I’m biding my time and being patient. Doing some reading, writing.
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By God’s grace, hang in there. It will be so much sweeter once you begin. 🙂
 
. . . I’ve been enjoyed works by Timothy Radcliffe. Well-written stuff, with some good insights.
 
TrueLight said:
Are lay Dominicans encouraged to be political activists?
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I’m not sure. I know of Dominican Friars who work in social justice and do things which could probably be interpreted as community organizing. Whether any lay Dominicans do that as part of their apostolate I am not sure. I suppose in places where they are connected to large groups of Friars or Sisters like New Orleans or Washington DC it would be more likely.

Why do you ask?
 
jwinch2 said:
I’m not sure. I know of Dominican Friars who work in social justice and do things which could probably be interpreted as community organizing. Whether any lay Dominicans do that as part of their apostolate I am not sure. I suppose in places where they are connected to large groups of Friars or Sisters like New Orleans or Washington DC it would be more likely.

Why do you ask?
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I thought I read something like that. That as part of the Dominican charism, Dominicans are taught to speak out, which can translate to political activism. Like for example, organizing petitions against the HHS mandate.

I don’t remember the exact source.

I also overheard a postulant having a conversation with a lay Carmelite about politics and the Carmelite said that she is just not going to vote. And the lay Dominican postulant, said “Oh no. I am learning that we need to be active in things like this.”
 
TrueLight said:
I thought I read something like that. That as part of the Dominican charism, Dominicans are taught to speak out, which can translate to political activism. Like for example, organizing petitions against the HHS mandate.

I don’t remember the exact source.

I also overheard a postulant having a conversation with a lay Carmelite about politics and the Carmelite said that she is just not going to vote. And the lay Dominican postulant, said “Oh no. I am learning that we need to be active in things like this.”
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Dominican, Carmelite, or otherwise, I believe the Church teaches that we have a civic responsibility to vote. Whether things get taken beyond that would seem to be more at the discretion of the individual. However, the Church also teaches that we need to stand up and defend the faith. One of the ways we can do that obviously, is by who we elect to office.
 
. . . Timothy Radcliffe mentions Dominicans protesting various things. I really believe that Americans have something of a moral obligation to make their voices heard. Otherwise, who chooses? the corporations?

The Church’s social justice teachings are one of her great treasures.
 
Captain_America said:
. . . Timothy Radcliffe mentions Dominicans protesting various things. I really believe that Americans have something of a moral obligation to make their voices heard. Otherwise, who chooses? the corporations?

The Church’s social justice teachings are one of her great treasures.
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The Franciscan 3rd order, both TOR and OFS, have no problem with it. It’s an integral part of our history. Secular Franciscans helped to take down the feudal system because they flatly would not pick up the sword and fight for their local noblemen.

I will be voting. Also I am speaking out about using the federal government for fake works of charity instead of real works of charity, which as Mother Teresa so eloquently demonstrated are done for the love of God and his image in the human race, and not for political gain.
 
I see it as a part of the Dominican charism of preaching. . . sometimes you have to preach to those in power, as well as “just folks” people.
 
Brothers and Sisters,

I am writing here to ask for your prayers in my vocational discernment.

Here is the situation. Those who know my past on here know that I have been in formation with the Dominican Laity since last fall and that I had been looking into the Order for longer than that.

It is my belief that I am in a situation where the person that I am and the person which I would like to be are not exactly lining up. With regards to my personality, inclinations, etc. I am a pretty good for the Dominicans. However, for whatever reason, I find myself interested in Benedictine spirituality lately. It comes and goes, but each time it hits me a bit harder. The more I study the Church, the more I am drawn toward a more ancient spiritual approach (I have been reading the Church father and am interested in the Desert Fathers for some reason as well) and to be honest, I find myself not particularly thrilled with reading Aquinas, etc.

In my career, I am a university professor and spend my day analyzing things, asking questions, and debating issues. Not to mention teaching, writing, etc. When it comes to my faith, I admit that a simpler approach seems attractive at times. The bottom line is that I feel that I have the makings to be a pretty good Dominican but I am not 100% sure that it is the route that God is calling me to follow.

I have been praying over this issue for the past month or so and will continue to do so. I hope that some of you might consider me in your prayers from time to time as well. I also plan to speak to our chapter moderator and a friar I am friendly with. Depending on how that goes, I might consider speaking with someone at a local Benedictine abbey regarding their Oblate program, to get their thoughts on the matter.

Anyway, that pretty much sums it up.

Thanks for letting me vent and God Bless,

Jason
 
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