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Death of Fr. Donald Bramble, OP

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. Donald Bramble, OP. Fr. Donald (Philip Neri) Bramble, OP, a Dominican friar of the Province of…

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LMP-LMI Transition

Friends - we're excited to share that the Lay Mission Project is now becoming the Lay Mission Institute! This means that the Lay Mission Institute…

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Diaconate Ordinations 2024

Diaconate Ordinations 2024 The Dominican Friarsof the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and the Vietnamese Vicariate of Saint Vincent Liem…

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Novice Prayer Partner

Praise God! Our Order continues to grow!

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First Vows

First Profession of Simple Vows The Dominican Friars of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus and the Vietnamese Vicariate of Saint Vincent…

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Death of Fr. Raymond Finerty, OP

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. Raymond Finerty, OP, who died on Friday, June 21, 2024. Fr. Raymond John Palmer Finerty, OP, 79,…

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The Solemnity of Corpus Christi

On the Solemnity of Corpus Christi (the Latin phrase for “The Body of Christ”), we spend the day giving special veneration to Our Lord presenting…

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Honoring Our Bodies as Temples of the Holy Spirit

We should always remember that our bodies are not simply ours to do with as we please. After receiving the sacrament of Baptism, we become temples…

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Presbyterate Ordinations

Ordinations 2024 The Dominican Friars of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus joyfully announce the Ordinations of their Brothers Columban…

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The Unity and Diversity of the Mystical Body of Christ

Can the diversity of the Church be reconciled with her unity? In his first letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul speaks about the diverse manifestations…

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Eucharist: Fruit of the Tree of Life

“… The fruit of the earth and the fruit of the work of human hands” would be a more literal translation of the prayer used during the preparation…

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Brother Project

While many of the Dominican brothers that you meet are novices or students preparing for ordination, that's not always the case. The Order of…

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Dominicans to Assume Pastoral Care of Newman Hall-Holy Spirit Parish in Berkeley

Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, and Dominican Father Christopher Fadok, Prior Provincial of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus (Western…

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Eucharist: The Sacrament of Love

In a manner atypical of the usual scholastic precision of his theological works, St. Thomas Aquinas’ great Eucharistic hymn Adoro te devote sublimely,…

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Death of Fr. David Bello, OP

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. David Bello, O.P., who died on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Funeral arrangements are as follows: Benicia,…

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The Western Dominican Province and Thomas Aquinas College: A Lasting Connection

Earlier this year, several Dominican friars and sisters paid a visit to Thomas Aquinas College in southern California. Three friars of our Province—Fr.…

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Canine Ecology

Like many of you, I grew up with a dog. Ever since then I have been fascinated by dogs’ intelligence and social sensitivity. In the world of…

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Eucharist: What Makes Us Who We Are

Kurt Vonnegut’s 1963 novel Cat’s Cradle features a fictional religious movement that teaches that life is intrinsically meaningless. People,…

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Greeting the Resurrection through the Ages, Part Four

Easter Morning Reading, Northern Syria (?), circa 1216 AD Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Today we come to the conclusion of our Easter…

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The Easter Octave: Rippling Joy

“Would you like to go to Easter egg hunt?” “No, I am too old for that.” At some point, we hear that response from children. The excitement for…

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Greeting the Resurrection through the Ages, Part Three

Bright Tuesday Divine Liturgy, Constantinople, circa 1001 AD Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Yesterday we looked at a 14th-century Italian…

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Greeting the Resurrection through the Ages, Part Two

Easter Matins, Italy, circa 1300 AD Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! For the first entry of our Easter Octave series, Greeting the Resurrection…

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Greeting the Resurrection through the Ages

Christ Surrexit vere, alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia! With this Paschal greeting, we join the Saints throughout the…

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A Meditation for Good Friday

“I have pains in my gut. How can I not have pain in the gut of memory when it is filled with putrid stuff?”  -St. Bernard Of Clairvaux, Ad clericos…

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Palm Sunday: Embracing the Triumph and Humility of Christ

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, a sacred journey that culminates in the joyous celebration of Easter Sunday. This significant day…

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St. Albert's Holy Week 2024 Horarium

The Priory of St. Albert the Great is the house of studies and initial formation for young men who have come to discern their vocation as Dominican…

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Feast of St. Joseph

Among other titles in the Litany of St. Joseph, the foster father of Our Lord is invoked as the “terror of demons.” One reason for this is that…

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Joseph Most Obedient

God the Father offered his friendship to the first human family, to Adam and Eve, but their disobedience broke this friendship. Yet another family…

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Death of Fr. Bruno Gibson, OP

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. Bruno Gibson, O.P., who died on Sunday, March 11, 2024. He was born Rodney Gibson in San Francisco…

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Confession: Calling Us Out of Comfort

This past summer I had the great gift of completing a hospital chaplaincy internship. There were numerous moments of repentance and grace (thanks…

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The Power of Lenten Prayer

The “penance” we do in Lent means turning away from sin and toward God. To enable us to cooperate well with God’s grace in doing penance, the…

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The End and Means of Lent

We come, once again, to the holy season of Lent! Just as before the joy of the Resurrection there was the pain of the Passion; so too before…

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The Power of Lenten Almsgiving

Often, when we think about almsgiving, our minds immediately turn to money. Of course, contributing material wealth is important and commendable…

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The Power of Lenten Fasting

Christians attribute great effectiveness to fasting. It keeps us alert, awakens our sensitivity to God, allows us to know ourselves, and makes…

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2024 Convocation of the College of Fellows: A Student Reflection

The DSPT College of Fellows convened for the first time in four years on February 2-4, 2024, after a pandemic that began in 2020 was followed…

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The Choral Office: The Work of the Preacher

The Dominican Order’s official name is “Order of Preachers.” We embrace the apostolic life, possessing material goods only in common, and devote…

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Consecrated to Obedience

“But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that…

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What Is Sought in a Steward

Trust in public institutions and in those who hold stewardship over them is minimal, as anyone can see. This includes the Church, a fact we can’t…

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A River of Many Waters: Brotherhood of Preachers

We had come, like streams of a river, from the same source in our native land, had separated from each other in pursuit of learning, and were…

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Death of Br. Gregory Lira, OP

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Br. Gregory Lira, O.P., who died on Sunday, January 14, 2024. Br. Gregory (known affectionately as…

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Can you hear God through the noise?

The Lord invites Elijah to witness His presence in 1 Kings 19. As the Lord passes by, Elijah discovers that the Lord is not in a great and strong…

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Epiphany: The Invitation to Wonder at God’s Presence

When most of us think of the Epiphany, we immediately think of the Wise Men visiting the Christ Child. However, this is only part of what the…

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St. Thomas Becket’s Martyrdom

The relationship between faith and the state has been controversial at least since the beginning of Christian history. Matthew points to this…

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Prepare The Way

In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every…

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Gregory Nazianzen: Doctor of Vigilance

I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to study Greek and Syriac patristic theology in Rome near the locations where so many saintly theologians…

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The Immaculate Mother of All the Living

When the Anglican scholar Edward B. Pusey wrote his Eirenicon, St. John Henry Newman felt compelled to reply by letter to his old friend’s polemics…

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Using This World Well

Oscar Wilde once visited the Sistine Chapel while the choir sang the “Dies Irae,” a classic chant about the Last Judgment that’s still used as…

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Eucharistia

The greatest act of thanksgiving is found in the Church’s celebration of the Eucharist

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Lay Up for Yourselves Treasure in Heaven

One of my favorite pieces of choral music to listen to and meditate upon is called Funeral Ikos. Written by the English composer John Tavener,…

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Reflections with Relics

"What you are now, we once were. What we are now, you shall be."

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Saint Martin de Porres

One of the best-known Dominican saints around the world is not famous for his eloquence or his education. There are no sermons of his passed…

Events

Mercy Night

Join the Dominican Friars at St. Albert the Great Priory for Mercy Night on Saturday 11/11 at 7:15 PM. We will begin with Night Prayer followed…

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The Rosary: How Our Trials Unite Us to God

At the root of all our desires is a yearning for oneness with God. In our fallen state, we are prone to respond to that yearning with things…

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Meditating on the Mysteries: The Soul of the Rosary

Was the Rosary truly historically given by the Blessed Virgin Mary to our founder St. Dominic de Guzman? Unfortunately, even though more than…

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The Rosary and Public Life

As one of the most widely-practiced forms of Christian prayer, the Rosary is well-known for the many benefits which it can confer on a person’s…

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The Rosary: Jesus and Mary’s Aid to the Order

Art can help us understand theological and historical realities by providing us with concrete images that symbolically express a truth.

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Rosary Sunday: Give the world good, faithful priests!

One great preacher can change the world. You can help him!

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St. Michael: A Patron for our Trying Times

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.

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Death of Fr. Paschal Salisbury

Please pray for the repose of the soul of our brother, The Rev. Paschal Salisbury, O.P., who died on Friday, August 18, 2023. Ordained in 1967,…

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Become a Novice Prayer Partner!

Please sign up to become a Novice Prayer Partner and commit to praying for our novices on the day of their Vestition - August 29!

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Pope Francis Names Rev. Steven Maekawa, O.P., Bishop-elect of Fairbanks

With joy and gratitude to God, the Dominican Friars of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus announce that Pope Francis has named one of…

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The Ascension of the Lord

Throughout the season of Advent, the Church prepares for the birth of Jesus. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit, and became…

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Behold the Truth of Christ’s Resurrection with the Eyes of the Heart

Whereas in his nativity Christ demonstrates the mystery of his own virgin birth, in the resurrection he gives a pattern to all who are to be…

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Conquest of the Old Tyrant

Imagine that we are standing on the top of a cliff. We look down, and we don’t see the base of the cliff. The space below us is shrouded in mist.…

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St. Catherine of Siena, A Patroness of Tears

One of the most striking aspects of the writings of St. Catherine of Siena is her attention to bodiliness. Her visual metaphors are often punctuated…

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The Tomb is Empty

Mary was waiting for Him with joy Not as a mother waits for the return of her son from war But as one waits for a friend who never broke a…

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Mission West - Spring 2023 Newsletter Now Available!

We're excited to announce that the newest edition of Mission West, our quarterly newsletter for friends of the Western Dominican Province, is…

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Why does Jesus Keep His Wounds After Rising from the Dead?

Did you know? Everyone in heaven gets a trophy!

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Why did Jesus die?

Why did Jesus die? The question of why Jesus had to die is one that has puzzled Christians for centuries. It is easy to point fingers and assign…

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The 2023 Cloisters Gala

A private evening benefiting the Dominican Friars

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Arc of the Triduum

How to better experience the three Holy Days before Easter.

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Food of Pilgrimage, Pledge of Glory

Feeling hopeless? There’s medicine for that … the medicine of immortality!

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Dr. Scott Hahn is Coming to San Francisco!

April 22 | 9:00AM | St. Dominic’s Catholic Church

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The Annunciation: Mary’s Fiat As Our Model of Humility

Of course you kvetch, you've overstretched! Let Mary show you a better way.

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A Holy and Gentle Hatred of Sin

Want to be holy? Choose hatred!

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Thinking Again about Repentance

Are you sure you have repented? Think again!

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A Perfect Time to Sort Our Priorities

My younger sister is a fantastic skier. We have both skied since a very young age. However, once upon a time, she fell down and hurt her knee…

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Religious Life: A Total Gift to God

How does a whole burnt offering point people to the meaning of human life?

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Religious Life and the Life to Come

There is nothing unfortunate about the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience!

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The Word Abides

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple was a monumental moment in the history of salvation. How do Simeon's words in the Gospel of Luke show us the Word's fulfillment of the entire Old Testament?

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Pilgrimage to Italy in the Footsteps of Aquinas

Join the Dominicans on pilgrimage in honor of Aquinas' 700th Jubilee! Click to learn details, which friars are attending, and more!

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Provincial Chapter 2023: More Elections

Read on for news from Chapter, including more elections and commission work!

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St. Thomas Aquinas: Spiritual Guide and Follower of Christ

We often find the life of the mind placed in opposition to the spiritual life. However, is this a fair opposition? Aquinas can be our guide in resolving this tension.

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The Holy Name of Jesus: The Power of His Name

What should the name of Jesus evoke within me?

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Statement on the Election of Fr. Allen Moran, O.P., as Prior Provincial of the Eastern Dominican Province

Announcing news regarding the President of the Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology, Fr. Allen Moran, O.P.  Read the full statement here or…

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Provincial Chapter 2023: Prior Provincial Elected!

An exciting update from Chapter - we have a Prior Provincial!

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Provincial Chapter 2023: Chapter Business Begins

Read our second update from Chapter!

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The Holy Name of Jesus: Rescued by a Name

What is so special about a name?

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Provincial Chapter 2023: Spiritual Retreat

Read our first update about the beginning of Provincial Chapter

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What Does Epiphany Have to Do With the Cross?

During this Christmas season of joy, how can Christ manifest in our struggles and sorrows?

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Christmas, the Strategy of Christ, and the Mystery of the Holy Family

The nativity of Jesus: a mystery of a personal victory that mobilized his friends and agitated his enemies.

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Mission West - Winter 2022 Newsletter Now Available!

We're excited to announce that the newest edition of Mission West, our quarterly newsletter for friends of the Western Dominican Province, is…

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The Incarnation: God's Story about God

An effusion of the Ineffable!

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St. Albert's Priory Chapel Christmas Schedule

Celebrate the Christmas season at our House of Studies!

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Advent Reflections: 4th Sunday of Advent

Do not be afraid to take Mary into your home (which always brings Christ) as we come to the end of Advent and prepare for His coming at Christmas.

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The Incarnation: O Come, Divine Messiah!

How can we joyfully prepare for God Incarnate amidst a dark and sinful world?

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Advent Reflections: 3rd Sunday of Advent

It's Gaudete Sunday and we are entering the third week of Advent with joyful anticipation for the commemoration of Christ's birth.

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Immaculate Against the Idols

Mary the Immaculate Conception: Forbidding Myth or Grace-filled Maiden?