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GLASGOW LAY DOMINICANS |
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RATIONALE |
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Since the time
of Blessed Humbert of Romans, the fourth Master of the Order of
Preachers after St Dominic, Dominicans have sought consciously to
understand the nature of Dominicanism.
What does it mean to be called to be a "preacher"; how should followers of St Dominic live and work together? In short, what is "preaching" and what are the characteristics of the "preacher"? Moreover, "preaching" is not merely a minor part of a greater spirituality. It is, for those who are called to it, a path to holiness in itself. "Of all the spiritual exercises commonly practised by spiritual men, those who have the grace for it ought to prefer the practice of preaching." HUMBERT OF ROMANS Treatise On The Formation Of Preachers For we preachers have a good precedent: Christ himself devoted his whole life to preaching, even more than to prayer, says Humbert, and through the whole of scripture the necessity to speak forth the Word of God is emphasised. When the grace of preaching is granted, it is the Holy Spirit who speaks.
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The
Dominican Family |
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St Dominic was a true apostle of Jesus Christ, and those whose spiritual father he is are called to an apostolic life too. They constitute a family of which there are many branches. They may be in religious life; they may be lay people. They may preach from pulpits or preach by other means. What is important is that they have a common mission and equal status as Dominicans. Their unity is expressed in the proclamation of the Word of God. As with any family, there are traditions, stories, early and recent letters; there are living relatives, famous relatives, dead relatives to be proud of and some who are rarely mentioned; ways of talking, ways of singing, ways of eating, ways of dressing, ways of behaving. There is room also for individuality amid all the rest; but mostly, as with other families, there are the hidden ties whose meaning words can barely sense.
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GLASGOW LAY DOMINICANS |
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Glasgow Lay Dominicans is part of the Dominican Family. It is a new
association of lay people as defined under the Bologna Document of 1983, and is
open to adult lay Roman Catholics who do not already have a commitment to
another such group. It has its own constitution within the Order and is free to
make its own decisions within the framework of its constitution. In order to
become a professed member, an individual must complete a minimum of one year and
a maximum of three years of formation.
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THE
FORMATION PROCESS |
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A member in formation is not only learning about Dominicans but is also learning to be Dominican. Information about the Order, its origins and traditions should be acquired; yet, equally importantly, practice in Dominican habits of communal life, prayer and work must be gained too. Above all the desire to grow in a sense of Dominican vocation should be nurtured. The group of professed members have a duty to offer the kind of conditions that will be helpful and encouraging of members in formation: including members in formation in group prayer, study and action wherever possible, providing moral and material support through the formation period, perhaps assigning a particular professed member to a member in formation as a mentor or tutor figure. One method will not suit all types of new members, so a suitable variety of approaches may be needed.
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METHODS AND CONTENT |
Not all or most of the varied aspects of Dominican life can be transmitted in
the formation process of one to three years. Also, individuals will start from
different points. However, elements that would be essential for systematic
consideration would be:
Members in formation would do best, in general, to use the different means already being used by professed members in the group in prayer, study and action.
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