4 Pillars to the Dominican Life

Lay Dominican Postulancy/ O.P. Notes

(Lecturer: Bro. Lito Datu, O.P.)

In the past, Lay Dominicans were called the Third Order of Saint Dominic, or Dominican Tertiaries. The Lay Fraternities of the Order was founded in 1285, and was officially recognized by the Church on the feast of Saint Thomas Aguinas in 1286.

The lay Dominican's spiritual life is guided by norms and practices~ a combination of sense and spirit that gives rise to Christian perfection. Lay Dominicans serve God in light of the Dominican norms, practices and discipline,wherever they are in the world. They are ordinary people seeking higher spiritual discipline. 

The Rule states that the lay members of the Order participate in its apostolic mission through its four (4) pillars: prayer, study, community life, and apostolic ministry.  

The Ecstasy of Saint Catherine of Siena
by Francesco Vanni

I. Prayer

The Catechism (CCC s.2559)  defines prayer as the raising of one's mind and heart to God, or the requesting of good things from God. 

Prayer is the beginning point of Dominican life. It is only through daily prayer and contemplation of God can a Dominican bear lasting fruits to give to the world. A Dominican speaks and listens to our Lord in prayer, and it is centered on the Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, the Holy rosary, and personal prayers. 

One great Dominican motto which sums up prayer is taken from Saint Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologiae: "Contemplata aliis tradere" ~ to contemplate and to share the fruits of contemplation.

Different forms of prayer:

1. Private prayer > It is a spontaneous conversation with God, the fruit of which is communion with Him.

2. Common prayer > We pray in common with the universal Church through the Divine Office, or the Liturgy of the Hours that is centered around the Psalms, and which sanctify the hours of the day. It also contains Old and New Testament readings, prayers, petitions, meditations from the saints, etc. Lay Dominicans are obligated to pray the Morning and Evening prayer. By praying these prayers, we become one with the entire body of Christ (including the Pope) who also meditate on the same Psalms and readings. 

3. The MASS  > The Catechism (CCC s. 1324) teaches us that "the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. By the Eucharistic celebration, we unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life when God will be all in all. If possible, Lay Dominicans are encouraged to attend Daily Mass. Communion with Christ is a privilege one must treasure and pursue faithfully.

4. The Sacrament of Reconciliation > A lay Dominican is encouraged to go to Confession monthly, for it strengthens prayer life, it purifies the heart, and helps a person strengthen his trust in God's mercy and love. 

Saint Dominic, studying
Detail of the Mocking of Christ
by Fra Angelico

II. Study

Study of the Truth forms the human soul and makes a man alert; to study not merely for its own sake, but with the goal of benefiting one's soul, and reaching others with that Truth. Scripture tells us to be "always prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence." (1Peter 3:15).

Centered around the Holy Scriptures, the Teachings and Traditions of the Church, a lay Dominican is formed in the Truth of Jesus Christ to be effective witnesses of the Gospel, and to be the salt and light in the world.

The Virgin Mary appearing to
Saint Catherine of Siena,
Saint Rose of Lima, and Saint Agnes
of Montepulciano
by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo

III. Community

Community life for a Lay Dominican is sought in one's family life ~both the personal family, and their Dominican family. The monthly chapter meetings for prayer, formation, and other celebrations is a way of being in constant touch with the community. The local chapter is a group of lay individuals in a certain area who share in common a vocation to the Order. When lived fully and faithfully, a Dominican chapter life refines the edges of a tertiary's character. Acceptance of the community into which Christ has placed them humbles and purifies Dominicans in a beautiful way.

Saint Martin de Porres, O.P.

IV. Apostolate

Apostolic ministry refers to the work that we do for God, and for the salvation of souls. At the heart of it involves preaching. The apostolic life of a Dominican is where the call to preach is set in motion; and that the benefits of one's prayer, study and community life are infused into what is being preached. The ministry is not necessarily a formal or liturgical preaching, but rather one that speaks and evangelizes others in the ordinariness of everyday life. It's often heard that a Christian ought to "walk the talk"; but it is also of utmost importance for a Dominican to be a fearless and zealous defender of the Truth. A lay member of the Order has the opportunity to preach the Gospel to the poorly catechized, to the unbelievers, and to those who are hostile to the Gospels. We preach the Gospel and the Triumph of the Cross in our speech, actions, even in our thoughts, and relationships with others.