Our Four Core Values
What Defines the Ideal Religious Community or Order?
The fact is there is no ideal or perfect religious community. Although each community reflects the vision and ideals of the founder (St. Dominic, St. Francis, etc.), ultimately it is how the current members live out their religious and common life that ultimately defines it. A religious community's common life is lived out in community, prayer life, ministry and the general attitude the members display toward their religious life. Each religious community emphasize particular values unique to its vision of life and ministry.
One of the most important steps in discerning your vocation involves finding a religious community whose ministry and way of life reflect values similar to your own. All Dominican friars throughout the world share four common values which serve as the foundation for our communal and ministerial lives. Often referred to as the Four Pillars of Dominican Life, these four principles define and distinguish how we live our lives, and in turn how we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For over 800 hundred years, Dominicans have made these four values an integral part of their lives. Take a minute and find out of you feel these values reflect aspects you've been searching for in a religious community.
