Friars

Dominican Friars English Province - Caribbean

The Dominican Friars of the English Province in the Caribbean islands of Grenada and Jamaica belong to the worldwide family of friars, contemplative nuns, Apostolic sisters, fraternities of Priests, laity and youth which comprise the Order of Preachers (also referred to as "the Dominican Family"). Founded in 1216 by St. Dominic de Guzman, the Order of Preachers was created in response to a desperate need for informed preaching. 800 years later, the Friars continue to live out Dominic's vision and charism as a group of preachers bound by a common life of prayer, community, study and preaching. The work of the friars are many and it takes on many forms. The Dominican friars respond to particular needs of the Catholic Church of the Caribbean islands, particularly of Grenada and Jamaica. The friars' staff some parishes; participate in campus ministries both secular and religious institutions of education; they are engaged in various forms of the preaching apostolate, such as specialized retreats, missions and workshops; they publish articles in Catholic Focus; they are chaplains to hospitals and convents, and have missionaries in various parts around the world. There is no talent or interest which is unimportant since each Dominican gives of his own capabilities of gifts and talents to further his salvation and that of those among whom he ministers. Moreover, each ministry is believed valuable, for each allows God's presence to become more evident and celebrated in the world.

Dominican Spirituality

Dominican Spirituality is hard to define because it is always seeking new ways to express God's presence in the world and in our lives. Fundamentally, Dominican Spirituality is defined by the four pillars of Dominican life (Prayer, Community, Study and Preaching), the preaching mission and St. Dominic vision that encourages, all members of the Dominican family to always talk with or about God.

We find ourselves using phrases that are concise, say what is in our hearts. To Praise, To Bless to Preach is a way of living life that is aware that all of creation is a gift from God, thus we give glory to God in praise. All of life is a moment when God wants to infuse us with grace, and so we bless those around us and ask God's blessing on the world. All of life is a Word from God, so our urge is to preach it.

Seeking the Truth is another way in which Dominicans would describe our spirituality. We are seekers of light, insight and an ever-deepening understanding of other people, the world around us and the action of God. The Dominican torch is a frequent symbol of that light. We might say that our vocation is rooted in a fearless search for truth. We are the flame of that truth (Veritas).

To share with others the fruits of contemplation: (Contemplata Aliis Tradere) Dominicans live a life that is both active contemplation and contemplative action. Like breathing in and out, we know that to be effective preachers we need both: to contemplate the Word and the world and at the same time, our reflection on the world demands a clear and free response to need which brings us to action. So we act contemplatively and contemplate actively. Learn more about contemplative tradition.

Thinking of

Becoming a Dominican Friar

Dominican

Preaching - Mission

A passion for God and a conviction that God's love was meant for all characterized the preaching of St. Dominic de Guzman, founder of the Dominicans. Although St. Dominic neither founded a school of rhetoric nor wrote a treatise on preaching, he did send his young followers out to preach, just as Jesus had sent his disciples. the circumstances of Dominic's historical time were different from ours, and yet in some ways, they are remarkably similar to ours.

This is the task of every preaching project today: to create ways for people to encounter the gospel message wherever they are, so that it can help them shape lives that have personal and social integrity.

Preaching is a gift. It proclaims the story and memory, the presence and grace of the Living Word. It is also a sign of God's ongoing presence. Every Dominican preaches, whether from the pulpit, in the classroom, on the street, at the office, in relationships.

The arts have always been a way to express, interpret and enter into the mystery of God. Through the use of language, colour, material, music and movement, artists of all kinds create works in every medium imaginable. Their creations capture the imagination and have the power to evoke insight, conversion and faith.

The Dominican way to Pray

the Rosary

The Dominican Family have traditionally prayed the Rosary in a way that is slightly different and also slightly shorter from the (now) more common way. The Dominican Rosary way begins with a series of verses and responses that recall the opening of the Liturgy of the Hours and also the Angelic Salutation that forms the first part of the Hail Mary.

The first thought or feeling that becoming a Dominican is attractive or possible for one's own life can raise many responses in us.

It can be disconcerting, exciting, puzzling. Most friars have experienced some of these. Thus one of the most difficult decisions in Becoming a Dominican is making that initial contact.

The first email, letter or phone call to the friar appointed to help men interested in becoming Dominicans (often called the “Vocations Director”) can be the most daunting. It need not be so. It is so very simple to make contact.

Dominican Friars

Rosary Priory

St. Paul’s, Roxborough,

Grenada, or P.O. Box 2706,

St. George, Grenada, West Indies

Tel/Fax: +1 (473) 440 9047