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Who are the Dominican Friars?
The friars are members of the Order of Preachers, AKA "The Dominicans" and we are members of the Western Dominican Province.  There are many provinces throughout the world, which together comprise the Order.  The Order of Preachers was founded in 1216 by St. Dominic de Guzman in response to a then desperate need for informed preaching. Against a heresy which denied the dignity of our humanity, St. Dominic trained a group of preachers who would serve the Church in its affirmation of the world as the place where Christ is discovered. He adapted the structure monasticism so that his Friars, vowed to poverty, chastity, and obedience, were nevertheless free to move wherever their preaching was needed.  The Dominicans enjoy both contemplation and activity, apostolic and monastic traditions.  Dominic fostered the discipline of study, so that what was preached would he part of the Church's sustained reflection on the mystery of Christ. And he began a tradition of spirituality that is rooted in community life, liturgical and common prayer, and personal meditation -- a spirituality which is meant to bear the fruit of an active apostolate

And bear fruit it has: in the centuries since its origin, the Order has numbered among its members theologians, mystics, Doctors of the Church, workers among the poor, popes, saints and innumerable men and women who have left less tangible traces of their work. What was new with St. Dominic has continued to call forth new members, with new hopes to address new needs.

We are the ORDER OF PREACHERS; we must preach that Jesus is Lord and Brother. This is our mission and duty. This is our special vocation.

What do the Dominican Friars do?
The work of the friars takes many forms, as our men try to respond to the particular needs of the Church of the Western United States.  We staff parishes and participate in campus ministries at both secular and Catholic schools of higher education; we are engaged in various forms of the preaching apostolate, such as specialized retreats, missions and workshops; we publish; we are chaplains to hospitals and convents; and we have a mission in Mexicali, Mexico with missionaries in various places around the world.

There is no talent or interest which is unimportant, since each Dominican gives of his own capabilities 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.

What is the Difference Between a Priest and a Brother?
All Dominican friars share a common brotherhood in the spirit and charism of St. Dominic. While a Dominican may be involved in a variety of ministries, the ministry of one called to ordained priesthood is primarily focused on preaching, the Eucharist and the other sacraments from which the Church draws its life. The celebration of the Eucharist is both the source and the deepest expression of our preaching, for it is when we all share the one Bread and the one Cup that we most profoundly "proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes." (I COL 11:26)

Dominican Brothers have felt Christ's call to "Come, follow me," though they have not felt that answering this invitation meant, for them, becoming priests. Theirs is not a half-way response to Christ, but rather a full-hearted response to what they are called to do. Because they are not called to ordination, they pursue a specialized apostolate complementary to the work of their priest-brothers, enhancing the preaching ideal of the Order. Within our province, Dominican Brothers are involved in: specialized preaching, religious education and catechetical formation, pastoral administration and campus ministry, domestic service to the community (maintenance, cooking, etc.), as well as professional and technical ministries (social work, classroom teaching, academic/provincial administration, health care, creative arts, etc.).

What are the Steps in Formation?
Although our formation pages, go into greater detail, here is a quick overview.

Where do the Friars Minister?
The ministry of the Fathers and Brothers takes many forms as our men try to respond to the particular needs of the Church in the Western United States. We serve in parishes, university campuses and have a mission in Mexicali, Baja California. We teach in high schools, colleges and seminaries; we are engaged in various forms of the preaching apostolate, such as specialized retreats, missions, workshops, peace and justice issues and Hispanic ministries. We publish, and are involved in radio, television and the creative arts. We serve as chaplains to hospitals, rest homes and convents.

The territory of the Western Dominican Province includes the states of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Arizona, Montana, Utah, Nevada, Alaska and Hawaii.  Some of our men minister in international and national missions.

How does one know?
With most of us, God seldom uses extraordinary means to tell us our vocation in life.  The Dominican lifestyle is monastic in tradition, yet apostolic in ministry.   The life as a friar is more than belonging to a group, it is a radical way of living in community for the preaching of the Gospel and the salvation of souls.  Mature reflection, prayer and guidance will finally determine the decision.  Discovering God's will for each of us is one of the great challenges of maturity.  One is also encouraged to seek the advice of a spiritual director or confessor.  Read "A Guide to Discernment".

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