Brothers & Sisters

Dominican Brothers and Sisters are committed to the ministry of preaching and proclamation in all its forms. They are also committed to living a disciplined and public form of Christian life rooted in the spirituality and practice of Dominic de Guzman. The Rule of the Order asks professed members to pray the services of Morning and Evening Prayer daily, to study Holy Scripture for one hour a day, and to shape their lives according to the vows taken at profession: simplicity, purity, and obedience. 

Members of the Order are officially be titled “Brother” or “Sister” and are allowed to place “OP” after their signature. In addition, professed members wear the habit in keeping with the customary of the Order. 

You as a Dominican?

Dominican Brothers and Sisters are committed to the ministry of preaching and proclamation in all its forms. They are also committed to living a disciplined and public form of Christian life rooted in the spirituality and practice of Dominic de Guzman. The Rule of the Order asks professed members to pray the services of Morning and Evening Prayer daily, to study Holy Scripture for one hour a day, and to shape their lives according to the vows taken at profession: simplicity, purity, and obedience. 

Priests, deacons, and lay persons go through the same preparation process. Being a brother or sister is not a “step” to becoming a deacon or a priest. Many priests have come to our Order after years of feeling something was missing from their life and vocation. Many lay people in our Order were told they should become deacons, but felt God calling them to something else; in this case, to life as a vowed person in a religious order.

Oblates and Associates 

Oblates of the Order are persons seriously committed to the spiritual life and seek the support of an apostolic community founded on contemplation and proclamation as well as the life and witness of Dominic de Guzman. The Oblate rule asks Oblates to pray morning and evening daily, to study the Holy Scriptures daily, to pray for the Order daily, and to make an annual pledge to the community. The Oblate makes promises of purity, simplicity, and obedience and is welcomed, but not required, to participate in the regular life of the Order. 

An oblate is officially be “Oblate” and is allowed to place “OblOP” after their signature. When in community with primary members (the brothers and sisters), or serving liturgically, the oblate may wear a black cincture with an alb. 

Associates of the Order are men and women from many walks of life who share with the Oblates a common desire for a bond with a spiritual community founded on contemplation and proclamation, as well as the life and witness of Dominic de Guzman. While still living and working in the secular world, associates design and agree to live under a rule patterned on the four pillars of Dominican life. This is intended to provide a simple framework for prayer and spiritual discipline. Among other obligations, associates are asked to pray for the Order daily and to make an annual contribution to the community. An Associate shall be addressed by their Christian name and is allowed to place “AsOP.” after their signature