In the Footsteps of St. Dominic - Exploring Dominican Spirituality

[uselessbeggar]

I haven’t read all the replies so perhaps this web site has already been mentioned. On the chance that it hasn’t been mentioned allow me to suggest Dominican Friars web site. There is one for every Province. Put Dominican Friars in the search engine and you can then choose whichever Province from which you would like to receive a daily email.

It has been said that St. Dominic either spoke to God or about God.

Contempata aliis Tradere.

uselessbeggar

 

[TrueLight]

I haven’t read all the replies so perhaps this web site has already been mentioned. On the chance that it hasn’t been mentioned allow me to suggest Dominican Friars web site. There is one for every Province. Put Dominican Friars in the search engine and you can then choose whichever Province from which you would like to receive a daily email.

It has been said that St. Dominic either spoke to God or about God.

Contempata aliis Tradere.

uselessbeggar

I don’t think it has been mentioned. Thank you.

That reminds me. There is an iPhone app called iDoms portal. It contains articles and preaching audio files by Dominicans. Pretty cool!

 

[TimothyH]

Beloved: The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia

"One of the things that first drew me to the Dominican order was the charism of teaching; the idea that St. Thomas give us that we are called not only to contemplate God, but also to share with others the fruits of that contempation."

I am privileged to have had two of the women pictured in the video teach my children. Sister Mary Jacinta, the Asian lady shown briefly at 2:08 was principal of our Parish school.

-Tim-

 

[TrueLight]

Beloved: The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia

"One of the things that first drew me to the Dominican order was the charism of teaching; the idea that St. Thomas give us that we are called not only to contemplate God, but also to share with others the fruits of that contempation."

I am privileged to have had two of the women pictured in the video teach my children. Sister Mary Jacinta, the Asian lady shown briefly at 2:08 was principal of our Parish school.

-Tim-

Tim,

Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful video. I’m going to put it on my blog. I’m blinking hard because I’m reading it while on the bus and I don’t want to start crying.

 

[TimothyH]

Tim,

Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful video. I’m going to put it on my blog. I’m blinking hard because I’m reading it while on the bus and I don’t want to start crying.

Yea, same here this morning… the part about being the bride of Christ takes my breath away. They are always smiling, constantly.

I’ll tell you a quick story…

I had never read St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Avila, or similar, and asked one of the sisters for a book recommendation. She recommended one book or another and we chatted back and forth for a minute or two. At a certain point in the conversation however, as we laughed and chatted back and forth, she closed her mouth (but continued to smile), folded her hands under the front of her habit (scapular?), lowered her eyes and became quiet, almost as if she was praying. It was the briefest of moments, but I realized that she wanted to end the conversation so I thanked her and let her be.

Her actions stayed in the back of my mind for a while. It bothered me a little. I thought that she was being cold, until I figured out what she was doing. The pleasant conversation about silly topics… enjoying the company of another person, a man… a smile, and maybe even a glance… She was guarding her heart.

It wasn’t until I read an essay on how lay Benedictines use the idea of the cloister to “Cloister the heart”, that I realized what she was doing. I’m no rock-star, not by a long shot, but she didn’t want to let even a smile or a little glance get into the cloister of her heart. Her heart is a cloister where only she and Christ are allowed to go. I was a little stunned when I figured it out. That little brief moment helped me understand how pure these women are, and how beautiful they really are, all of them, the Brides of Christ.

Her actions taught me a lesson for my own life, and there was a time or two when I have had to back away from a situation where my mind was just starting down that road where it ought not go - the pleasing feeling of a shared smile, a joke, or maybe even a telling glance. It taught me - or rather God taught me - to try to create a little monastery in my heart where only Christ, his Mother and I are allowed to go.

Sorry for blabbering.

-Tim-

 

[TrueLight]

Yea, same here this morning… the part about being the bride of Christ takes my breath away. They are always smiling, constantly.

I’ll tell you a quick story…

I had never read St. John of the Cross, St. Therese of Avila, or similar, and asked one of the sisters for a book recommendation. She recommended one book or another and we chatted back and forth for a minute or two. At a certain point in the conversation however, as we laughed and chatted back and forth, she closed her mouth (but continued to smile), folded her hands under the front of her habit (scapular?), lowered her eyes and became quiet, almost as if she was praying. It was the briefest of moments, but I realized that she wanted to end the conversation so I thanked her and let her be.

Her actions stayed in the back of my mind for a while. It bothered me a little. I thought that she was being cold, until I figured out what she was doing. The pleasant conversation about silly topics… enjoying the company of another person, a man… a smile, and maybe even a glance… She was guarding her heart.

Wow!

It wasn’t until I read an essay on how lay Benedictines use the idea of the cloister to “Cloister the heart”, that I realized what she was doing. I’m no rock-star, not by a long shot,

I’m sure you’re quite charming.

Wonder if you are going to adopt her practice for yourself.

There is a section in the Rule of Augustine about glances and such:

And of course, it can be applied to women.

1. Although your glance may perhaps fall upon a woman,you should not fix your gaze. It is not forbidden to see women when you go out, but it is wrong to desire them or wish to be desired by them. For concupiscence of the flesh is mutually aroused not only by affectionate touches but also by looks. And do not say that you have pure soul if you have an impure eye, because the unchaste eye is the sign of the unchaste soul. And when unchaste souls speak in mutual glances without any words being spoken and take delight in their passion for each other, then chastity flees from their souls even though their bodies are not defiled by unclean actions.

1. And when a man fixes his gaze upon a woman and like to have her gaze rest upon him, let him not think he is unobserved by others - he is certainly seen and by those he does not imagine are watching. And even though his act is secret and not seen by men, what will he do about that Witness from above from Whom nothing can be concealed? Or is it thought that He does not see because He is looking on with a patience befitting His wisdom? Let the religious man fear to displease God, which will prevent him from seeking to please a woman sinfully. Let him remember that God sees all things, lest he desire to look upon a woman sinfully. The fear of the Lord is recommended in this very matter,where it is written: “An abomination to the Lord is he who fixes his gaze.”

1. Therefore, when you are together in the church or wherever women are present,mutually safeguard your purity. For God who dwells in you, will thus protect you by your mutual vigilance.

1. And if you notice in any confrere this immodesty of the eye of which I speak admonish him at once,so that his initial fault will not grow worse but rather be corrected without delay.

1. But if, after this warning, you see him repeating the same offense on any other day, then whoever has discovered this must report him as one wounded and in need of healing. But first the offense should be pointed out to two or three so that he may be convicted on the testimony of two or three witnesses and be corrected with due severity. And you must not think that you are uncharitable when you point this out. On the contrary,you are not blameless if by your silence you permit your brothers to be lost when you might have corrected them by pointing out their offenses. For if your brother had a bodily wound which he wanted to hide because he feared the cure, would it not be cruel of you to keep silent,and a kindness to make it known? How much greater then is your obligation to manifest his spiritual wound, lest he become more corrupt in his heart.

1. However,before his conduct is made known to others by whose testimony he is to be convicted if he denies the charge, let the confrere who fails to amend after due warning be reported to the superior in the hope that being privately corrected his fault need not be made public. But if he denies it, then other witnesses must be employed, so that before the whole community he may not be accused by merely one witness but convicted on the testimony of two or three. When convicted he must submit to the corrective punishment imposed by the judgment of the superior or the priest in whose jurisdiction the matter falls. If he refuses to submit to this punishment, even if he does not leave of his own accord, let him be expelled from your society. For even this is not done out of cruelty but from compassion to prevent his contagious corruption from ruining many others.

1. And let what I have said about not fixing one’s gaze be diligently and faithfully observed in discovering, admonishing, pointing out, proving and punishing all other sins - with love for men and hatred for sin.

 

[TimothyH]

There is a section in the Rule of Augustine about glances and such:

Yes, yes, thank you for that. St. Augustine is my confirmation saint. He knows about such things. I prayed to him much yesterday on his feast day.

So what Sister did must have been straight out of Augustine’s rule? After sixteen centuries, his words still have power. How awsome is that?

I just found that essay about enclosure if you are interested, from the Lay Cistercians.

Enclosure and Solitude of Heart, or Guarding One’s Heart by Mother Gail Fitzpatrick.

-Tim-

 

[TrueLight]

As I go to work today, I hope to keep this section of the Rule in mind.

Chapter 6 of the Rule of Saint Augustine:

1. You should avoid quarrels altogether or else put an end to them as quickly as possible; otherwise, anger may grow into hatred, making a plank out of a splinter, and turn the soul into a murderer. For so you read: “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15).

1. Any who have injured others by open insult, or by abusive or even incriminating language, must be mindful to repair the injury as quickly as possible by an apology, and those who have suffered the injury must also forgive, without further wrangling. But if they have offended one another, they must forgive one another’s trespasses for the sake of your prayers which should be recited with greater sincerity each time you repeat them. Those who are often tempted to anger but are prompt to ask pardon from those they admit to having offended are better than others who, though less given to anger, find it quite difficult to ask forgiveness. Those who are never willing to ask pardon or do not do so from the heart have no reason to be in the monastery, even if they are not expelled. Therefore, avoid overly harsh words, and if they escape your lips let those same lips not be ashamed to heal the wounds they have caused.

Asking for forgiveness is one of the hardest things to do especially when one is convinced one is right. We’ve all been there right?

I have found it impossible to communicate freely with God, when something is allowed to fester. In fact, based on experience, I believe it gives Satan a foothold from which he can offer all sorts of temptations. It’s almost like a chronic sore which weakens your immune system and now you are more likely to get a cold or other disease.

So this sore, weakens our prayer life.

Have any of you experienced this?

 

[TrueLight]

The Dominican Salve Regina

 

[Marian_Man]

Core Documents for Men Discerning a Dominican Vocation

Don’t let the title mislead you. The documents are applicable to male or female, First, Second or Third Order. I discovered it after looking for Dominican Spirituality: Principles & Practice by Fr. William A. Hinnebusch, O.P. online, which it thankfully links to!

Why not be a Dominican? You get the same initials after your surname as God has!

 

[TrueLight]

Core Documents for Men Discerning a Dominican Vocation

Don’t let the title mislead you. The documents are applicable to male or female, First, Second or Third Order. I discovered it after looking for Dominican Spirituality: Principles & Practice by Fr. William A. Hinnebusch, O.P. online, which it thankfully links to!

This is awesome. Thank you.

Our chapter is covering Dominicans: A Short History at the Monthly Meetings, which I would definitely recommend for anyone interested in learning a little bit more about how the Dominican Order developed over the centuries and the challenges they faced.

I noticed that the link on the page no longer leads to the book but it can be found here…

Why not be a Dominican? You get the same initials after your surname as God has!

Okay. I’m slow today.

O.P… Order of Preachers…Ordo Praedicatorum… hmm.

Now that I analyzed the joke to death? What does it mean?

 

[Marian_Man]

This is awesome. Thank you.

You’re welcome.

Our chapter is covering Dominicans: A Short History at the Monthly Meetings, which I would definitely recommend for anyone interested in learning a little bit more about how the Dominican Order developed over the centuries and the challenges they faced.

I noticed that the link on the page no longer leads to the book but it can be found here…

Thank you for the link!

Okay. I’m slow today.

O.P… Order of Preachers…Ordo Praedicatorum… hmm.

Now that I analyzed the joke to death? What does it mean?

A Franciscan and a Jesuit were debating about whose order was the greater. After months of arguing, they decided to ask for an answer from God when they died. Years later, they met in heaven and decided to go to the throne of God to resolve their old disagreement. God seemed a bit puzzled about the question and told them he would reply in writing a few days later. After much deliberation, God sent the following letter:

My beloved children,

Please stop bickering about such trivial matters. Both of your orders are equally great and good in my eyes.

Sincerely yours,

God, O.P.

 

[TrueLight]

You’re welcome.

Thank you for the link!

A Franciscan and a Jesuit were debating about whose order was the greater. After months of arguing, they decided to ask for an answer from God when they died. Years later, they met in heaven and decided to go to the throne of God to resolve their old disagreement. God seemed a bit puzzled about the question and told them he would reply in writing a few days later. After much deliberation, God sent the following letter:

My beloved children,

Please stop bickering about such trivial matters. Both of your orders are equally great and good in my eyes.

Sincerely yours,

God, O.P.

Ha ha. Yes. I forgot about that joke.

 

[TrueLight]

Hey MarianMan,

Do you know at what point third orders were allowed to use O.P. after their names?

I met a Lay Dominican faculty at a Dominican college last week and she was wearing white and black and as a hunch I asked her if she was a Dominican. Firstt she said no she wasn’t but she’s a third order.

I found the answer kind of strange because usually people say, Yes, I am a lay Dominican.

So I said, “Then you’re a Dominican” and she said she is not an OP, but an OPS? I think she said OPS or OPL, I don’t know.

Do you know what the abbreviation for lay Dominicans used to be?

 

[Marian_Man]

Hey MarianMan,

Do you know at what point third orders were allowed to use O.P. after their names?

I met a Lay Dominican faculty at a Dominican college last week and she was wearing white and black and as a hunch I asked her if she was a Dominican. Firstt she said no she wasn’t but she’s a third order.

I found the answer kind of strange because usually people say, Yes, I am a lay Dominican.

So I said, “Then you’re a Dominican” and she said she is not an OP, but an OPS? I think she said OPS or OPL, I don’t know.

Do you know what the abbreviation for lay Dominicans used to be?

I believe that once you’re perpetually professed as a Dominican Tertiary you can use O.P. after your name though I also think that O.P.L used to be used by the Lay Dominicans. I’ve not contacted my local Third Order yet. I’ll be doing that some time next week probably. But I know that if, God willing, I got O.P. it’d have priority of any other initials I’d have after my name!

 

[TrueLight]

I believe that once you’re perpetually professed as a Dominican Tertiary you can use O.P. after your name though I also think that O.P.L used to be used by the Lay Dominicans. I’ve not contacted my local Third Order yet. I’ll be doing that some time next week probably. But I know that if, God willing, I got O.P. it’d have priority of any other initials I’d have after my name!

It certainly is O.P. now. So she must have said O.P.L.

 

[TrueLight]

I found a nice blog post on the whole O.P. thing and the comments in particular are quite interesting.

 

[Batfink]

Regarding the initials OP for Dominican laity, it depends on the province.

Here in England, we use nothing. We’re not allowed to use OPL and most of us think that OP is silly, for the same reasons as we’re given by Anita Moore in her blog post. We believe that the Dominican Order adequately understands (although there are always differences of opinion and old fogeys etc ) that all Dominicans are equally Dominican, Lay, friars, sisters, nuns etc. and we appreciate the difference between the Dominican Family and those actually belonging to the Order.

We’re currently looking into legislating on it, in consultation with the Prior Provincial. The main problem is that some Lay Dominicans (one in particular) write to the Press using the initials OP and expressing opinions to which they are entitled but which in no way reflect Lay Dominican policy, and yet in public it looks as though they are speaking for us. In contrast, if a friar or sister were to write to the press, the whole community would be behind them if they were to use the initials OP.

We tend to feel that OP for Lay Dominicans is fine for internal use but that if we are going to be writing in a public forum we shouldn’t use it unless we are actually speaking for the community.

As to when you can use them, anyone who has been admitted into the Order is entitled to use the initials, not just those who are finally professed.

 

[TrueLight]

Regarding the initials OP for Dominican laity, it depends on the province.

Here in England, we use nothing. We’re not allowed to use OPL and most of us think that OP is silly, for the same reasons as we’re given by Anita Moore in her blog post. We believe that the Dominican Order adequately understands (although there are always differences of opinion and old fogeys etc ) that all Dominicans are equally Dominican, Lay, friars, sisters, nuns etc. and we appreciate the difference between the Dominican Family and those actually belonging to the Order.

We’re currently looking into legislating on it, in consultation with the Prior Provincial. The main problem is that some Lay Dominicans (one in particular) write to the Press using the initials OP and expressing opinions to which they are entitled but which in no way reflect Lay Dominican policy, and yet in public it looks as though they are speaking for us. In contrast, if a friar or sister were to write to the press, the whole community would be behind them if they were to use the initials OP.

We tend to feel that OP for Lay Dominicans is fine for internal use but that if we are going to be writing in a public forum we shouldn’t use it unless we are actually speaking for the community.

As to when you can use them, anyone who has been admitted into the Order is entitled to use the initials, not just those who are finally professed.

Thanks for sharing that.

We’re currently looking into legislating on it, in consultation with the Prior Provincial. The main problem is that some Lay Dominicans (one in particular) write to the Press using the initials OP and expressing opinions to which they are entitled but which in no way reflect Lay Dominican policy, and yet in public it looks as though they are speaking for us

Wow. That can definitely be a problem. Is there no policy for how one represents themselves when speaking in public?

We believe that the Dominican Order adequately understands (although there are always differences of opinion and old fogeys etc ) that all Dominicans are equally Dominican, Lay, friars, sisters, nuns etc. and we appreciate the difference between the Dominican Family and those actually belonging to the Order.

I wonder if other lay fraternities have struggled with this type of issue.

 

[Batfink]

I thought you all might be interested in this article which appeared in a Catholic newspaper in the UK this week.

I don’t think it’s particularly well written. I don’t really know what the first two paragraphs are about, and as for the idea that men would be more attracted to physical forms of prayer than women,

but it does get better after that and is quite an interesting take on St. Dominic’s 9 ways.