Dominican Vocations

	DOMINICAN VOCATIONS PROVINCE OF THE ASSUMPTION

Site map	Formation	Fr Dominic Murphy, O.P.
Home News -------------------------- Welcome Benedict XVI Master -------------------------- History Introduction St Dominic's gift Australia --------------------------- Order Discernment Formation Dominican habit Novitiate Studentate --------------------------- Life Introduction Four pillars Apostolate --------------------------- People Dominican saints Our brethren --------------------------- Resources Lectio Divina Links Prayer Reading --------------------------- Site dedication	In answer to the question: "What would you look for in an aspiring Dominican?", Fr Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., Master of the Order 1992-2001, replied as follows: "A certain passion for life; that he should want passionately to understand the Scriptures; that he should passionately want to care for people .. but also curiosity. He should be puzzled by things, always questioning and not fobbed off by easy answers .. and prayer. Without the well-spring of prayer, one would run dry and have nothing worth saying." Admission to the Order Candidates are not normally admitted to the Novitiate earlier than the year in which their nineteenth birthday occurs. Candidates for priestly ministry need to be capable of tertiary study, and those for the brothers' life for study and training to develop their natural talents. The life of a Dominican calls for men who enjoy normal good health of mind and body. Initial and life-long formation Formation within the Dominican Order is a life-long process. Every friar is called to constant conversion; his vocation must mature continuously as he makes his own the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is, however, an initial period wherein the basic values and ideas of the Dominican charism are laid down. This we call initial formation. Novitiate The first year is called the Novitiate. This engages the novice in the dynamics of community living, and challenges him about the importance of concern for and openness with his brothers. In the Novitiate, he studies the theology of the vows, Dominican history, the Constitutions of the Order, the liturgy and various ways of prayer. The novice is called to live and love life to the full as if he had taken the vows already. The vows The Novitiate concludes with profession of simple (temporary) vows taken usually for three years. For those called to the ministerial priesthood, formal academic studies begin at Catholic Theological College and Yarra Theological Union, both in Melbourne. The initial academic programme lasts for six years and can lead to post-graduate study. The six years include a year of full-time pastoral work. During the initial programme, each student participates in some form of supervised pastoral work during the academic year and during the summer months. Following a common Novitiate with the clerical novices, the friars called to the brothers' life begin a period of education and training which is individually arranged to equip them for their diverse roles in the life of the Province. Once a brother has completed his first three years in simple vows, he may apply to take vows for life: Solemn vows, as we call them. Ordination Clerical brothers in Solemn vows are ordained to the Diaconate at the completion of their studies. Usually, a friar-deacon will spend a year exercising the ministry he received at ordination. He then proceeds to the Presbyterate (Priesthood). On-going formation As part of the call to constant conversion, friars are expected to avail themselves of opportunities for on-going formation in personal spirituality, pastoral ministry and in an academic discipline.	Promoter of Vocations St James' Priory 2 Woolley Street Glebe NSW 2037 AUSTRALIA Phone: (+61 2) 9660 9839 Fax: (+61 2) 9660 3241 Mobile: 0418 245 394 dom.murphy@op.org