Why I'm a Dominican
I first met the Dominicans at the University of Utah Newman Center in Salt Lake City,
Utah. I didn’t know when I first arrived that I too would be wearing the Dominican
habit one day. Its a funny thing how God works in our lives, how God’s mystery
unfolds for each of us. For me, I gradually and patiently discerned my vocation. What was
it that God was calling me to do, or not do? In the end, I knew that my discernment was
complete, because I knew that if God was calling me to be a Dominican, and to be a priest
that he would open all the proper doors. Likewise, if God was not calling me to this
vocation, then he would shut those doors. Either way, I knew that I had to place my trust
in God, and this is where I found peace.
Deciding to be a Dominican was a separate decision than being a priest. Becoming a
Dominican meant that I would become a religious living the common life. I am
praying, eating, and living with my community. I share in my brothers’ joy, sadness,
faith, hope, and much more. We grow together as a family who is committed in a common way,
who is committed to preach the Good News and follow Christ in the tradition of St.
Dominic.
I am attracted to the Dominicans for many reasons. I enjoy the itinerant lifestyle, the
wide array of ministries, the Western location of the province, the additional philosophy
studies, the academic traditions, the choral Office, and much more. I also found visiting St. Albert’s, the House of Studies in Oakland, CA,
was an extremely positive experience. I was able to see what it was like to live there,
and how I might fit into this community. I would have to say what attracts me the most,
was the unique combination of the apostolic and monastic traditions. The rich monastic
tradition of prayer is wonderful, but I like taking the fruits of that prayer out into the
public by way of an apostolic ministry. The Dominicans really do enjoy the best of both of
these traditions.
I recently made my first profession, consecrating myself to God. This means, I committed
myself to living in charity as expressed in the three vows of poverty, chastity, and
obedience. To be a Dominican is to preach to all people the Word of God in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and to follow Christ at every moment. This is what I have committed
myself to doing, that I may grow closer to Christ, and better serve God and God’s
people.
September 1997
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