Discernment

Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, O.P., Vocation Promoter, talking to a group of students.

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

As Vocation Director, I want to do all that is possible to assist you in your discernment of a religious vocation. Feel free to call or email me at anytime. If you have to leave a message, I will generally call you back within three days.

DOMINICANS
Promoter of Vocations
Fr. Andrew-Carl Wisdom, O.P.
1909 S. Ashland Ave.
CHICAGO, IL 60608
(312) 829-0295
E-mail: vocations@dominicans.org

BECOMING A DOMINICAN IS A PROCESS

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Much thought, prayer, and conversation precedes the application and acceptance to enter the Order. I will need some basic information about you, such as your age, whether or not you are still in school and whether you are interested in the cooperator brothers or priesthood. Over a period of several months you and I will be in regular contact and I will invite you to visit some Dominicans.

During these months of initial contact, it will be important for you to have a spiritual director who will help you listen to the call. If the call seems authentic to both you, your Vocation Director, and me you will be able to be considered as an applicant and will be asked to fill out various papers, collect letters of recommendation and undergo psychological testing.

If the results seem to warrant it, you will then be asked to attend an admissions board meeting during which you willl be interviewed by members of the province. The board makes a recommendation to the Provincial who then makes a decision. If accepted, you become a candidate for the novitiate.

THE NOVITIATE

Our novitiate is located at our parish, St. Dominic's, in Denver, Colorado. The novitiate provides a year for the novice, along with the other novices and the Novice Master, to continue to ask the question, "Is this the way of life for me?"

During the novitiate year, the novices are helped to grow in an appreciation of common and private prayer. 'Mey study the theology of religious life, the history of the Order and our Constitutions. They also are expected to spend ten hours a week in a service project such as teaching CCD, working with the parish choir, visiting a nursing home, etc. The novitiate is a time for joining in every aspect of Dominican community life from household chores, to community discussions, to climbing mountains.

Each novice receives individual attention from the Novice Master and others in the community. Spiritual direction and ongoing dialogue, especially with the Novice Master, are important as the novice continues to ask the question, "Is this life for me?"

During the year some realize that they are not called to be a Dominican. Others , with the consent of the community, become Dominicans by making temporary profession of vows for three years.

YEARS OF STUDY

TEMPORARY PROFESSION: Once you complete the novitiate, you will make temporary profession for two years and move to St. Louis where you will be a Dominican graduate student of theology at Aquinas Institute of theology run by the Central Province. Its students include Dominicans, other religious men and women, priests and laity.

While at Aquinas, the students continue their Dominican formation as they prepare for their full time ministry in the Province. The Academic Dean of Aquinas Institute helps each student work out his academic goals and schedule in order to get the training he needs for his ministry. The Student Master helps the brothers continue growing in their total Dominican way of life of community, study, prayer and preaching.

The basic program of studies for priesthood takes six years. Each student is expected to complete a Master of Divinity degree before ordination. This is a pastorally oriented degree which includes classroom work and "on the job" training. Many students also complete a Master of Arts degree in theology which focuses, in a more specialized way, on a particular area of theology.

Cooperator brother students also study either at Aquinas Institute.

During the period of temporary profession students make frequent evaluations of their progress in Dominican life. Some decide to leave before making solemn vows.

SOLEMN VOWS: Solomn vows is the final commitment to the Dominican way of life. For those studying for the priesthood, ordination to the deaconate and priesthood follow solemn vows within a year or two.

FIRST ASSIGNMENT

Upon completion of their years of study the brothers receive their first assignment into full time ministry. This assignment usually involves a two or three year cominitment and is worked out in agreement with the provincial.

Mission Statement

The Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great communicate the Word of God through preaching, theological education, and the promotion of justice and peace. This mission in the body of Christ demands a vowed community life, liturgical prayer and lifelong study.