Overview
The heart of Christianity for the individual man or woman is a way of life that connects with the community of faith, and ultimately with God through Jesus Christ. To be a Dominican is to choose to live a particular kind of Christian life. The Dominican way of life is shaped by the vows that friars and sisters make, and the Rule of Life around which all members of the order arrange their lives. Dominican spirituality centers on engagement with the Word of God, both in quiet reflection, and active proclamation.
Vows
After a period of formation and training, friars and sisters are called to make the traditional three vows of the religious life. They have been adapted to fit contemporary life and the mission of the Anglican Order of Preachers.
Simplicity
St. Dominic considered poverty to be an important part of the Dominican vocation. However, he did not base the Dominican lifestyle on poverty as did his contemporary, St. Francis of Assisi, for the Franciscans. There, however, is a clear message in the teachings of our Savior that wealth can significantly hinder a right relationship with God.
“I tell you the truth; it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” - Matthew 19:23-24
It is not wealth in of itself that makes it difficult for us to live a Godly life. Rather, it is an excessive worry for, and desire for more money that injures our relationship with Christ. A parish priest was once fond of teaching that, “Money is the second most powerful god of this world.” Members of the order are allowed to own property and hold occupations that provide for themselves, their families, and the Order.
Members must turn to God, with an open mind and a receptive heart, to determine how they can best use all of their assets for the Kingdom of God, and not merely for their own advancement or comfort. Friars and sisters are to radically embody a different kind of lifestyle that proclaims the Kingdom of God. Professed members are required to give a portion of their income to their local church and to the Order. Perhaps the vow of simplicity is best summarized by the liturgy of life profession, where friars and sisters vow, “…to live simply using all things given to my charge for the building up of the Kingdom of God.”
Purity
Many Christians are surprised to discover that the call to chastity is for all believers, and not just vowed religious, who make vows of permanent celibacy--that is a life lived without sexual acts, relationships and marriage. Chastity is the calling to be pure and holy in all of our relationships. For those who are single, chastity demands abstinence from sexual acts and relationships. For those who are married, chastity demands faithfulness and love toward one’s spouse.
There is a further dimension to the vow of purity that has always been a hallmark of the religious life. Religious chastity, whether in married or single life, is a calling to be open to friendships and interactions with all people. The religious life is a calling to be everyone’s brother or sister, mother or father, as they have need.
Brothers and sisters in the Anglican Order of Preachers may marry or remain single. If single, they vow to remain celibate. ALL vow to live a chaste life.
Obedience
Obedience is a very unpopular virtue in the post- modern world. Individualism, and the ability to do whatever one chooses, is held as the ideal. The religious life, however, is a calling to surrender one’s entire life to God and to the service of the Church. Obedience requires the observance of the Rule of the Order. Obedience is linked to spiritual authority, and friars and sisters are required to honor the spiritual authority of the officers of the Order, as well as the leadership of the churches and ministries in which they serve. However, the Dominican notion of obedience is for the purpose of raising friars and sisters in the image of God.. Obedience is the way of Christian love, for Jesus said that those who love God would obey His commandments (John 14:15).
The day I walked into St. Vincent Ferrer church in New York City and saw
above the pulpit, "Praedica evangelium insta opportune", I knew I was home.
Dominican life not only has brought me the intellectual companionship and
challenge I was seeking, but also has provided a continuous renewing stream
of love and joy in a developing friendship with the brethren and with Jesus.
- Sister Elena Thompson OP
The Rule of Life of the Anglican Order of Preachers
The Order's Rule is based upon the Rule of Saint Augustine and early Dominican sources. The rule is written in plain text under bold headlines. Commentary on the rule follows in italics.
Concerning Prayer
Each Member shall be in prayer daily to God the Father, through the mediation of the Son, in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. He shall recite the offices of Daily Morning and Evening Prayer each day, and attend the Divine Liturgy at least every Lord's Day, and upon any other day wherein he has the opportunity.
The recitation of the morning and evening offices of prayer are the minimum standard of the Order. Friars and sisters are encouraged to pray the four-fold office of morning, noonday, evening, and compline offices. It is expected that friars and sisters will live lives devoted to prayer, characterized by short prayers throughout the day, and times of quiet meditation or silence. Personal devotions such as the Jesus Prayer, and the Rosary are encouraged. Attendance at the Holy Eucharist is required on all Sundays, as well as on major feasts of the liturgical year. More frequent worship attendance at the Holy Eucharist is encouraged.
Concerning Study
Each Member shall be in continual study of the Holy Scriptures. He shall spend at least one hour each day in the reading, marking, learning, and inward digesting of the Bible; its stories, language, themes, ideas, characters, and sense, and above all its primary subject, Jesus Christ our Lord. He shall report regularly to his appointed superior on the studies, for the purpose of discipline, excellence, and the assurance that he is maintaining the catholic faith delivered unto the saints.
Dominicans are life long students of the Holy Scriptures. Personal study varies from Dominican to Dominican, but includes study of commentaries, original languages, and meditations such as the practice of sacred reading (Lectio Divina). Friars and sisters are required to submit a report on a quarterly basis to the Canon Theologian describing their personal studies.
Concerning Preaching and Ministry
Each Member shall, as the opportunity is present, share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in word and action. Primarily, this is to be carried out in the delivery of studied sermons and lectures, delivered for the up building of the members of the Church and the salvation of those who are not yet in her care and nurture.
As Dominicans we are called to be teachers, as well as preachers. However, some Dominicans live out their vocations at the work place or in the food shelter, and do not always have opportunities to give formal sermons. The call to be a Dominican is more encompassing than to be a preacher in the pulpit. The Dominican is called to share the Gospel “as the opportunity is present” which could be at anytime and anywhere. This part of the rule strikes at the heart of the evangelical calling of the Order.
Concerning the Habit and Clothing
Full-Habit:
Each Member shall wear the appointed habit when participating in liturgy, preaching, hearing confession, counseling, teaching, or any other time he deems appropriate. He shall wear a white tunic or alb, cinctured with a black rope, a black cowl, and hood. He may wear a rosary or some other form of prayer rope on his cincture on the left side. At conventual masses the principal celebrant shall wear whatever is the custom of the house; assisting priests and deacons shall wear the stole appropriate to their order.
Street Habit:
When wearing the full-habit would infringe on the ministry of a particular friar or sister they may wear the street habit. The street habit for friars and sisters shall consist of black trousers, (or a skirt for sisters), white shirt, and a black vest. Ordained members of the Order may wear clericals in place of the street habit.
The customs of the local parish, related to any habit, should take precedence when a Member ministers there.
One of the sacrifices of the religious life is giving up personal identity to become a living symbol of the church. Friars and sisters are not required to wear the habit at all times, but may wear it as they see fit according to the rule above. The habit can be very useful means of identifying that the church's presence in a particular location. The wearing of the habit is also a means by which the vow of simplicity is lived out. The wearing of the habit frees the friar or sister from concerns about fashion, or appropriate dress and allows them to focus on their ministry work.
