Community

Dominican Community Life

When St. Dominic founded the Order of Friars Preachers he called his followers to live together in community in order to support and sustain each other in their ministry and preaching of the Good News. The Dominican sense of community is rooted in the model described over and over again in the early church. It is a model based upon an understanding of a healthy family - complete with all its joys and challenges. Ultimately, community is the place each friar calls "home". However, more than just a physical location, it's where he finds companionship from his brothers; celebrates his birthdays; gets called out when he leaves dirty dishes in the sink; and finds support when he facing a difficult time in his life.

Home is Where You Hang Your Habit

Each Dominican community decides on how they choose to live their common life. During monthly chapter meetings the friars address a variety of issues from the ordinary - grocery shopping, cleaning, and cooking - to more important topics like prayer, community life and ministries. Community life requires a personal commitment and open attitude from each friar. Men sometimes enter the Order with the illusion that community life is free of conflict and worries. They quickly realize that like any family, occasional disagreements and conflicts are part of any healthy religious community. The occasional disagreement aside, Dominican community is where ultimately each brother finds the support, relaxation and friendship he needs to continue his mission and ministry of preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ.

See For Yourself

Experience Dominican community life for yourself. Contact our Vocation Director to arrange a visit to one of our communities or to attend the Dominican Experience Weekend.