To Praise, to Bless, to Preach
These words are
one of the mottos of the Order of Preachers, or Dominicans. Founded in the
13th century by St. Dominic de Guzman to preach against heresy, the Order of Preachers continues
its mission today.
What is a Lay Dominican?
Being a Lay Dominican (formerly known as a Third Order Dominican) means that while one is not a Dominican priest or brother, nun or sister, one is living a Christian life with a Dominican spirituality in the secular world. We find inspiration in following the same spiritual path taken by many saints, blesseds, and other holy men and women.
Dominican charisms (special spiritual gifts) are often called "pillars." The pillars of Dominican life are, briefly: truth, study, community, public prayer, personal prayer, virtue, and apostolate.
Notable Dominicans
- St. Dominic de Guzman, Founder
- St. Albert the Great, Doctor of the Church and Patron of scientists
- St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church
- Bl. Margaret of Costello, Patroness of the blind
- St. Catherine of Siena, Mystic and Doctor of the Church
- Bl. Fra Angelico, Painter
- St. Pius V, Pope during early Reformation
- St. Martin de Porres, Patron of inter-racial justice
- St. Rose of Lima, Patroness of the Americas
- St. Louis de Montfort, Promoter of the Rosary
- Ven. Theresa Chikaba, African princess sold into slavery
- Svt. of God Archbishop Fulton Sheen, Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith
- Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, Editor of the Catechism