A passion for God and a conviction that God's love was meant for all characterized the preaching of Dominic de Guzman in the 13th century. When he founded the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) Dominic was committed to preaching that would be effective. His desire was to help people hear God's word within the context of their own reality; and his devotion to prayer and study as the necessary preparation for preaching ensured that he words he spoke would reflect the Truth of the Word

Today, many Dominicans would say that they preach with the Sacred Scripture in one hand and the newspaper in the other. In this way, our preaching makes the connection between the Word of God and the world around us.

We describe ourselves in four branches of the Order. Today, Dominican men and women follow Dominic's vision as friars, sisters, nuns, lay Dominicans and associates. Dominicans form a world wide Family, in over 100 countries of people dedicated to prayer, study, community and ministry. We call these the four pillars of Dominican life.

For us preachers, all words matter. All our words can offer life to other people, or death.
Timothy Radcliffe, OP

The injustices of our day compel us to place the charism of preaching at the service of the poor and powerless. The Dominican prophetic message... will move both preachers and hearers of the word to act for the transformation of oppressive structures"
Kay Ashe, OP


See also: The Four Branches of the Dominican Order

Learn more about Dominic's charism, Dominican Foundations series.