Question: Why do the Fraternities of Saint Dominic exist?

Answer: The Dominican Fraternities exists because it is a gift from God for His Church through the Dominican Order. It affords certain people, who have this vocation, lay and clergy alike, to grow in holiness through a life of prayer, community, study, and the apostolate. The Dominican Fraternities certainly do not need to exist, just as the Dominican Order itself doesn't. As one tertiary said to me not long ago, "I see my vocation as a Dominican tertiary as part of my eternal salvation." Could there be a better answer for why the Fraternities of Saint Dominic exist?

Fr. James M. Sullivan, OP

Question: How is a Lay Dominican any more a part of the Dominican Order than any one else who attends a church staffed by Dominican friars, and who study Dominican spirituality?

Answer: The Fraternities of St. Dominic are part of the Dominican Order because in receiving a person into the Novitiate the Dominican Order makes them a member of the Order. From the beginning of the Order of Preachers, there have always be lay people who associated themselves with the Friars. Some were called to a great involvement in the living out of Dominican spirituality and these were received into our Fraternities of St. Dominic, whose first Rule was approved in 1285 by the Master of the Order. The tertiary make a Profession to the Master of the Order himself at the end of that first year. This Profession is one of a promise to live according to the Rule of the Fraternities of Saint Dominic.

That is certainly a much greater reality than those who happen to attend a Dominican parish or school.

Fr. James M. Sullivan, OP

Question: How long will it take before I am officially a member of the Dominican Third Order?

Answer: The Rite of Reception into the Novitiate of the Fraternities of Saint Dominic officially names one "Dominican." The Rite of Final or Perpetual Profession officially seals one, for life, in the Order. The initial stages of formation take about five years and include mandated prayerful evaluation before each of the three ceremonial advancements (Novitiate, First Profession, Final Profession). Only serious circumstances will dispense or expel a member after perpetual (life) profession.

The heart, or one’s desire, certainly plays its own part in the reality of being a Dominican and many candidates experience a sense of belonging as soon as they have been accepted into the postulancy (usually lasting six months). Intent alone though is not sufficient but intent with action, such as the Reception into the Novitiate is the qualifier.

A candidate, accepted for and actively pursuing a Dominican tertiary vocation, may request perpetual profession, if desired, under circumstance of terminal illness or serious accident, even if the time of First Profession has not been fulfilled. Each case requires evaluation based on the individual’s preparedness for this final commitment to a Dominican life. This special request does not apply to less serious infirmity nor is it a ceremony to be imposed upon one who does not desire it.

Margaret Evans, T.O.P.
Our Lady of Prouille Chapter
Elkins Park, Pennsylvania

Question: Is this a lifetime commitment?

Answer: Final profession in the Fraternities of Saint Dominic is a lifelong commitment, but it is made only after five years of preparation and discernment. Final Profession confirms the individual’s vocation in the Order of Preachers. The Rule of the Fraternities of Saint Dominic (1987) states that one may advance to Final Profession when: A. The period of temporary profession, at least three years, has preceded the request, B. The On-Going Formation materials have been part of the lessons for advancement, C. An evaluation and approval on the part of the Formation Council is given, D. The candidate has reached his/her twenty-first birthday, and E. The Chapter Council, after meeting and discussing the candidate’s qualifications for advancement, gives consent. Members make Final Profession profession to the Master of the Order, at present, Fr. Carlos Aspiroz Costa, O.P., and as such accept the serious canonical obligations of being a Dominican tertiary. During the Rite of Final or Perpetual Profession the candidate promises “to live according to the Rule of the Fraternities of Saint Dominic for my whole life.”

Anna Donnelly, T.O.P.
Our Lady of the Assumption Chapter, New York City, New York

Question: How much time and effort will pursuing this vocation demand from me?

Answer: In one sense becoming a Dominican will take a lifetime. It is a way of life that deepens and grows as long as you live. You do not initiate your own vocation. You are called to a vocation, and so if you are considering Dominican life you need to be drawn to prayer, study, and evangelization. How much time and effort you spend on these pursuits as a Dominican will depend on how God chooses to use you and your talents.

Another aspect of this question would be, how much time and effort is demanded between the initial contact with a Chapter and becoming a member of the Dominican Order? Since one becomes a Dominican as a member of a community it is necessary to attend monthly Chapter meetings long enough to know that particular community. After several months or longer a candidate applies in writing to begin a Postulancy program. This is a series of six monthly teachings, usually given on the same day as the Chapter meeting. On completing the Postulancy program the candidate is formally received into the Dominican Order. At that point you are a Dominican. There is a further year of study required to complete the Novitiate and become Temporarily Professed. This is followed by three years of living as a Dominican before Final or Lifetime Profession.

Mary Jane Sweet, TOP
St Thomas Aquinas Chapter
Providence, RI

Question: How does this vocation fit with my married life?

Answer: The vocation of the Dominican Fraternities fits in and benefits married life. The primary purpose of being a member of the Fraternities of St. Dominic is to increase one’s holiness and assist in helping them reach Heaven. This goal benefits everyone with whom the member comes in contact.

When first interviewed, prior to becoming a novice in the Dominican Fraternities, the Friar that interviewed me emphasized that the duties of the vocation were not to interfere with my responsibilities as husband, father, and grandfather. He emphasized that my vocation to marriage came first.

Having become finally professed in the order, this instruction is even clearer now than it was at the time. Having spent a number of years studying our Faith, philosophy and theology, and both Dominican and other Saints, it has been possible to learn and appreciate the importance of living one’s life according to the expectations and instruction of our Lord. While I fail to accomplish this repeatedly, it is possible to focus on the only real goal in life and the path to reach it.

As a husband, father and grandfather, there is a primary responsibility to assist my wife, children and grandchildren to get to Heaven. We learn in the Order of Preachers that personal example and teaching are effective ways to preach. The importance of getting one’s family to Heaven is emphasized by all that is learned from studying and reading as required by the Fraternities of Saint Dominc.

The graces received from living the Rule of the Fraternities of Saint Dominic benefits members and their family. As family members observe the member living by the Rule, it may provide inspiration to them to increase their own efforts toward holiness. Often, it may take a lot of work by the Holy Spirit, but at least the seeds are planted.

Julian Heron, T.O.P.
St. Catherine of Siena Chapter
Great Fall, Virginia

Question: Does this vocation change my personal and family priorities at all?

Answer: Yes! For the better! Before joining the Order, our evenings were
likely to be taken up with television shows we were convinced we
needed to watch to "relax." However, our Dominican vocations have
sharpened the focus of our personal and family priorities. At first
it seemed to us that between work, home ownership, and everything
else, we had little time for ourselves, let alone "Dominican stuff."
The reality, however, is that being a Dominican is something we are,
not another thing on the endless To Do List. Saying certain hours of
the Divine Office together really unifies us with our larger
family--the Church--on a daily basis, instead of just a once-a-week
"fix" via Sunday Mass. It is true that some things, like that
"relaxing" TV that was sucking the life out of us, have mercifully
fallen by the wayside in favor of more spiritual and intellectual
reading than we had been doing. Overall, though, life centering on
the Lord is a whole lot easier. Even as we maintain our house, home
school four children, and prepare for another birth (while keeping one parent in a full-time job), it's almost like the yoke is easy and the burden is light.

St. Catherine of Siena speaks of a vessel being held in a fountain,
always pouring out, yet always filled. Our Dominican vocation is how
we stay in the fountain, and the reason that we can pour out God's
grace to those we meet. Our primary vocations as spouses and parents
are a direct expression of our Dominican vocation to share God's Love
and Truth with others. (For example, as parents, we do teach the
ignorant, admonish the sinner, you know.)

If you have a Dominican vocation, that's part of God's plan for your
holiness and for the holiness of your family. Your priorities will
get switched around until God is at the center. It's a remarkably
happy way to live!

Eric Pavlat, T.O.P.
Wendy Pavlat, T.O.P.
St. Pius V Pro-Chapter, Catonsville, MD

Question: What if my husband or wife has no interest in pursuing this vocation with me?

Answer: Your spouse need not have a Dominican vocation, but he or she must not object to your pursuing this Dominican vocation as a tertiary in the Order
of Preachers. So if your spouse simply does not feel called to be a Dominican, but feels no hostility towards the Order, there is no impediment to your joining.

Not everyone is called to be a Dominican, and while we have many couples in
the Fraternities of Saint Dominic, we also have many married Dominicans whose spouses do not feel called to the order. Most chapters have periodic social events to which spouses are invited, and spouses can join in many community activities, such as retreats, without actually being a tertiary. In addition, many Dominicans have found they like to share insights obtained at Dominican Fraternity activities with their spouses, so the Order affects indirectly even the spouse who has not joined.

Finally, your first commitment has to be to your Domestic Church. If the time commitment you make would preclude your worshipping, praying or simply
spending time with your family, then you need to consider whether you should
make such a commitment.

Pedro Saavedra, T.O.P.
Saint Martin de Porres Chapter
Alexandria, Virginia

Question: I've been associated with other lay movements in the Church. Can I still enter the Fraternities of Saint Dominic?

Answer: This question really boils down to: Can I grow in holiness in more than one way in the Church?

The immediate answer is "Yes." One can belong to as many associations as one can reasonably handle (i.e. Blue Army, Holy Name Society, etc.). But from a practical point of view, although the Code of Canon Law and our own Rule of the Fraternities of Saint Dominic does not prohibit a person from being enrolled in other associations, it would be very difficult to attempt to acquire formation and live and be active in several Charisms at once (i.e, Dominicans, Fransciscans, Carmelites, Benedictine Oblates, etc.) In order to be finally professed in the Fraternities of St. Dominic one undergoes several years of formation by studying the history, devotions, saints, and spirituality of the Dominican Order. Throughout this period of formation the Candidate meets with the Chapter's Religious Promoter who is normally a Dominican priest for guidance and to ensure that one fully understands the commitments and spirituality of the Dominican Order. In addition, Chapter Council also interviews the Candidate at each stage of formation to determine if the Candidate understands the same. These Council members are under strict obligation to recommend for admission only those Candidates who fully understand the Dominican life before they can be incorporated into the Order by making Perpetual or Final Profession. The formation process will normally take about 5 years of study and faithful participation in Dominican life and Chapter community life. Therefore, it would be very impractical (due to lack of time) to be truly active in more than one "Third Order."

The Code of Canon Law (1983) does not limit the number of “Third Orders" as they are still defined as "Associations", however, what is implied is that formation is required in the particular religious institute's spirituality and charism before one can be admitted to that “Association.” What is implied is that that Association (in our case the Fraternities of Saint Dominic) has an administrative body and spiritual or religious promoter that may not recommend admission if that body believes that the Candidate would not be able to live faithfully in more than one charism.

The above answer is based on what is given to us in the Code of Canon Law, Book II, Part I, Title V "Associations of the Christian Faithful." The applicable canons are:

Can. 298 §1. In the Church there are associations distinct from institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life; in these associations the Christian faithful, whether clerics, lay persons, or clerics and lay persons together, strive in a common endeavor to foster a more perfect life, to promote public worship or Christian doctrine, or to exercise other works of the apostolate such as initiatives of evangelization, works of piety or charity, and those which animate the temporal order with a Christian spirit.

Can. 303 Associations whose members share in the spirit of some religious institute while in secular life, lead an apostolic life, and strive for Christian perfection under the higher direction of the same institute are called third orders or some other appropriate name.

Can. 306 In order for a person to possess the rights and privileges of an association and the indulgences and other spiritual favors granted to the same association, it is necessary and sufficient that the person has been validly received into it and has not been legitimately dismissed from it according to the prescripts of law and the proper statutes of the association.

Can. 307 §1. The reception of members is to be done according to the norm of law and the statutes of each association.
§2. The same person can be enrolled in several associations.
§3. Members of religious institutes can join associations according to the norm of their proper law with the consent of their superior.

Kas Santos, Jr., T.O.P.
St. Catherine of Siena Chapter
Columbus, Ohio

Question: Is this group some kind of cult?

Answer: No, the Fraternities of St. Dominic is not a cult. It’s an association of faithful Catholics that has been officially recognized at the highest levels of the Church since 1285. In fact, it’s a good example of the things a cult shouldn’t do.

A cult is secretive. The only secret in the Dominican Fraternities is the secret ballot, and democratic elections at the chapter, regional, and provincial level are not a good way for an international cult to maintain control of its message.

A cult controls the minds of its adherents. The Fraternities of St. Dominic asks every member to study on their own every day. That’s an effective way for a group to arrive at a more complex understanding of the truth than any one individual would achieve, but it works against cultic groupthink so much that there’s a well-known saying: “If you’ve met one Dominican, you’ve met one Dominican.”

A cult controls the money of its adherents. Dues for members are on the order of several dollars a month, and if dues are a hardship for a member, they will be waived.

A cult controls the lives of its adherents. While joining the Order does entail a serious time commitment for prayer, study, attending chapter meetings, and contributing to the chapter apostolate, Dominican Fraternity members remain “in the world,” with their own homes, jobs, families, and friends.

A cult has a charismatic founder whose every whim is treated as a divine command. St. Dominic certainly was charismatic, but his own brother friars rejected several of his plans during his lifetime. And now that he’s in heaven, he asks only that his spiritual children follow the will of God in their lives.

Thomas Kreitzberg, T.O.P.
Bishop Fenwick Chapter
Silver Spring, Maryland

Question: Can anyone wear the small Dominican (Third Order) scapular?

Answer: The Brown Scapular has traditionally been the laity's scapular for millions of Catholics for hundreds of years, and will continue to be so for every Catholic in the future. This beautiful scapular was promulgated for everyone by The Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

The standard size Dominican Scapular worn by the religious of the Order was also designed by Our Lady, and given to Blessed Reginald of Orleans for him to pass on to St. Dominic. The small scapular for the Fraternities of St. Dominic reflects the larger scapular and is normally worn by its members. Membership in the Fraternities of St. Dominic is comprised of lay people, diocesan priests and deacons, all of whom have professed to Our Lord, and before the Blessed Mother and St. Dominic, to live a Gospel life in the footsteps of their patron, St. Dominic. The small Dominican scapular is normally blessed only by a Dominican priest who has the faculty of giving a Dominican blessing. If an individual who is not acquainted with the Fraternies of St. Dominic, wished to wear the small white scapular, they should first consider becoming a member of the lay branch of the Order. But if anyone should by chance have a blessed Dominican scapular, perhaps for example belonging to their deceased spouse, and wish to wear it, by all means they should, especially to remind them of their loved one. Our Lord is very pleased with everyone who expresses their love for Him, His Blessed Mother, and any of the saints in Heaven, St. Dominic included.

To those who may ask about Our Lady's promise to quickly release from Purgatory those who faithfully wore the Brown Scapular during their life, the author of this question's response offers this story. About 20 years ago as a newly professed Lay Dominican, the author asked his friend, a Dominican friar now of blessed memory, the question of whether he should also wear the Blown Scapular. Implied in the question --- Our Lady's instant attention and possibly greater love. The Dominican priest asked, "Why?" explaining that his own faith was solidly in Christ's salvation, and his devotion to Mary as the Mother of God gave him complete comfort and confidence that he would be with the blesseds in heaven when the time came. From that day on the author adopted his priest- friend's attitude in living a Dominican life.

Raymond Hutter, T.O.P.
Our Lady of Peace Chapter
Cincinnati, Ohio