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Brief Introduction: Dominican Tradition
Men and women of the Order
of Preachers, the Dominicans, have been on
mission in the United States for more than two centuries.
The mission given them by Dominic
de Guzman (1170-1221) from the founding
of the Order, is to proclaim the Word of God by preaching,
teaching and example, while sustained by life in common.
Dominican
spirituality is centered in the Word of God.
- The
creative Word
has been proclaimed by such members
as Thomas Aquinas
and Meister Eickhart.
- The
incarnate Word
has been proclaimed by
Catherine of Siena and all who
contemplate and preach the mystery of Jesus Christ.
- The
revealed Word has
engaged those who have studied and taught theology
and Scripture in every century.
The
single mission of the Order of Preachers embraces
many ministries, developed as needed to bring the
Word of God to people in varying societies and
circumstances. St. Dominic had this in mind when he
urged the first members of the Order to identify with
each culture, to listen to the voice of the poor, to
those who sought deeper meaning in life and who sought
to know God.
The twofold motto of the
Order continues to be Veritas, in a world
hungering for truth; and Caritas , the
equally urgent need for human compassion and mercy.
The
Order of Preachers is composed of men and women of four
branches: friars,
who may be priests or brothers; cloistered
nuns; sisters;
and laity.
Dominic de Guzman was called to ministry in the universal
Church. His followers have proclaimed the Gospel around
the world to peoples never known to the founder, including
those of the Americas.
LEARN
MORE about Dominican Spirituality and Tradition
in an excellent series: Dominican
Foundations.
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800th
Anniversary
