How do you become a Lay Dominican?
The Path of St. Dominic
Saint Dominic dedicated his life to Jesus Christ and His Church through a deep commitment to prayer and the preaching of truth. He was known for speaking only to God or about God. Recognizing the damaging impact of sin and the theological errors of his time, he made the pursuit of sacred truth—Veritas—a central pillar of the Order he founded.
The motto of the Dominican Order is: “To contemplate and to give to others the fruits of our contemplation.” Before preaching to God’s people, a Dominican is formed through a life rooted in prayer, study, and penance. Authentic Dominican preaching must flow from graces received through silence, prayer, and study. Saint Dominic understood that one must first be filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit in order to share His truth with others.
Lay Dominicans live out this mission in the world, whether married or single. Following a Rule inspired by the spirit of Saint Dominic, they seek holiness by bringing the truth of the Gospel into their families, parishes, workplaces, and communities—transforming society from within. In return, they share in the spiritual benefits of the Dominican Order.
Chapter meetings offer opportunities to grow together in faith through prayer, study, and fellowship, as well as to deepen one's understanding of the Gospel and the Catholic tradition.
Stages of Formation
1. Getting to Know the Order
This initial step allows prospective members to become familiar with Dominican life through regular contact with a local chapter. A vocation director assists in the discernment process. If the candidate and the chapter discern a good fit, the journey continues. process, but it can also be liberating and bring peace to the soul.
2. Inquiry Period
Candidates must be practicing Catholics for at least two years before beginning this phase. Over the course of a year, the chapter presents an overview of Dominican life and spirituality. At the conclusion, the candidate may request to be formally admitted to the Order.
3. Postulancy
You will meet with a formation director and go through study modules in preparation for entering the Order. This period is usually 6 months.
4. Novitiate
You will be received into the Order as a member of the fraternity. Your studies with a formation director will bring you further into the Dominican Way of life as you discern whether to make promises in the Order. This period lasts about one year.
5. Temporary Promise
At the end of Novitiate, a mutual decision is made about moving forward. If so, the candidate makes a temporary promise to live according to the Rule of the Fraternities of Saint Dominic for three years.
6. Final Promise
Following the period of temporary promise, and after prayerful discernment, the candidate may make a lifelong commitment to live as a Lay Dominican.
7. Ongoing Formation
Formation doesn’t end with final profession. Lay Dominicans remain committed to continual growth in faith through personal and communal study, deepening their understanding of Dominican spirituality, Sacred Scripture, and the teachings of the Church.