LAY DOMINICANS Central Province USA
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Dominicans and Dominic around the world -- a video tour
Malta - St. Dominic's Old Hymn Malta - St. Dominic's Feast, day one U.S.A. Prison Chapter, Eastern Province
Philippines - Friars first profession day Germany - The Dominicans Italy - Basilica and Convent of St. Dominic, Bologna
Poland - St. Dominic's Feast fireworks at Gdansk Poland - St. Dominic Fair parade U.S.A. - Young Adult Retreat Promo
Philippines - St. Dominic Day Poland - Dominicans 
Poland - Dance Australia - The Dominican Friars
Ireland - Friars' reception of the habit Ireland - Solemn and simple professions - friars
Kenya - Our Lady of Grace School U.S.A. Ordinary Men...Sacred Calling (Southern Province friars)
France - The Dominican brothers of Bordeaux Philippines - Mom's San Fabian Advonture (Lay Dominicans)
Latin America - Confederation of Dominican Sisters Taiwan - Solemn Profession - friar
Dominican Secular Institute
A recent development is that of the Dominican Secular Institute, For more information on the English speaking group, contact Ann Hamilton.
Dominican Logo (taken from www.sinsinawa.org )
The Dominican shield first appeared in the early 15th century when the Order of Preachers began using
this coat-of-arms for identification. The shield features a parted black mantel of the habit on a white field.
The coat-of-arms helped establish an awareness of the Order.
The Dominican Shield (taken from the Amityville Dominican Sisters' website)
There are eight triangles on the Dominican Shield--four white and four black. The triangles symbolize the unity of a community made up of many different people who nonetheless work side-by-side in order to promote the well-being of all. The cross, superimposed over and unifying the triangles, represents victory, duty and self-sacrifice; it features fleur-de-lis at each end, a traditional symbol of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The black triangles symbolize wisdom, silence, fortitude and penance. The white triangles symbolize peace, purity, charity and sincerity. Sometimes the shield is also surrounded by six or eight stars; they are the symbol of St. Dominic de Guzman (1170-1221), the founder of the Dominican Order.
Dominican History (taken from www.sinsinawa.org )
 Oldest image of St. Dominic. Unknown artist, 14th century, Priory of the Basilica of San Domenico in Bologna, Italy. Dominic de Guzman was a man with a dream. Born in 1170 in the village of Caleruega in the kingdom of Castile, Spain, he founded a family, the Order of Preachers, that would one day reach out and touch every part of the world. | Dominic began as a priest of the Diocese of Osma in what is now northern Spain. He was a canon (clergyman) assigned to the cathedral. His peaceful life there was suddenly disturbed by a journey into northern lands. Bishop Diego asked Dominic to accompany him on a mission from King Alfonso VIII to arrange for the marriage of his son. As Dominic traveled beyond the borders of his own country, he encountered for the first time the great need of the people to hear the Word of God preached well and in a way that would respond to their spiritual longing. Priests at that time were generally not well educated, and many of the clergy, priests, and bishops lived extravagant lives that were scandalous to the people. Dominic soon realized that, in order to be a credible preacher, his life had to be rooted in the Gospel he proclaimed. It was not long afterwards that Dominic returned to southern France and began to gather other men who shared his dream. Even before the Order of Preachers was officially approved in 1216, Dominic had also established a community of women in Prouilhe who would participate in the preaching mission through dedicating their lives to prayer in community. By the time Dominic died in 1221, the Order of Preachers was already on mission in France, Spain, Italy, England, Hungary, Poland, Greece, Germany, and Scandinavia. Four monasteries of Dominican Sisters had been established, and plans were under way for expansion. Today the Order of Preachers is worldwide and includes priests, religious brothers, contemplative nuns, and active sisters as well as thousands of lay people who have dedicated their lives to the Gospel. The dream of Saint Dominic is continuing to be realized in our own time. |
St. Albert the Great, patron of our province
St. Albert's way of life is an inspiration to anyone seeking advanced knowledge in any field. His vocation seems to be summed up with a quote from St. Bernard, in his sermon on the Canticle of Canticles:
"There are some who desire knowledge merely for its own sake; and that is shameful curiosity. And there are others who desire to know, in order that they may themselves be known; and that is vanity, disgraceful too. Others again, desire knowledge in order to acquire money or preferment by it; that too is a discreditable quest. But there are also some who desire knowledge, that they may build up the souls of others with it; and that is charity. Others, again, desire it that they may themselves be built up thereby; and that is prudence. Of all these types, only the last two put knowledge to the right use."
Prayer
God, You made St. Albert great by enabling him to combine human wisdom and Divine Faith. Help us so to adhere to his teaching that we may progress in the sciences and at the same time come to a deeper understanding and love of you. Amen.
Taken from the website of St. Albert the Great University Parish, Houghton, MI
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