To pursue or be pursued

One of the primary statements we make clear in our work as vocations promoters of the Central Province is the fact that we do not hound candidates or pursue them. This will remain the mode of operation when the office is fully turned over to me in July of 2013.

One may wonder if he should join an order or a province based on the fact that they take a great interest in the candidate and in a way "court" the man and tell him the things he wants or needs to hear in order to get him to join us. Of course, common sense says that this is nonsense.

Here is the reality:

We are just fine without you! The Dominicans of the Central Province and the other three provinces of the United States and throughout the world will be just fine and continue to receive young men into formation and the mission will go on...with or without you.

So what do we want in an aspirant or candidate to the Order? We want a man who sees a way of life that is exciting and that will push him to become the saint he was meant to be. Every Order and congregation within Holy Mother Church has this as their primary mission, whether it is explicit in their constitutions and rule or not: Religious life is the way the member will come to sanctity. Without this sanctity, it becomes nearly impossible to preach, teach, or serve the poor.

You must have at least the beginning desire for pursuing this sanctity through our way of life in order to ask to be admitted to our Province. You must pursue us and see in us the means by which you will search for God and preach His truth to the people of the world.

The Dominicans have been doing this for nearly 800 years. We are in no danger of closing up shop just yet. We continue our mission to preach the truth of Jesus Christ from East to West. If this is something that interests you, you might want to pursue us!

From the Come and See to ???

Having just completed our Fall Come and See weekend, some wonder, "What's the next step?" That question is different for every man discerning a call to the Dominicans. The next step can be a visit to other houses and priories within the province. It can be going to other discernment retreats or events for other orders, provinces or dioceses. Very often it is just taking some time to spend with the Lord and pray for guidance and clarity.

The steps are different for everyone. What is not dissimilar is the reality of God's love and guidance on our vocational journeys. With nothing more than anecdotal evidence, I truly believe that the vast majority of those taking the bold step to attend a come and see weekend have an authentic call or priesthood and/or the religious life. In our profoundly secularized world, it is a counter-cultural move to even attend a religious retreat, much less attend a vocation discernment event.

But getting from a come and see weekend to entering religious life takes an act of trust rarely seen in our world today. That is why so many find true happiness in living our their lives in such a radical way in following Jesus Christ: they trust God and not themselves.

Trust God in the movements of your heart. If you have an authentic call, it will be evident to you and you will be unable to run away from it if you truly trust in the Eternal and Loving Creator.

In the end, the next steps matter little, as long as there are steps. Steps mean there is movement, a movement forward I hope. A move forward will only bring you closer to the heart of God. In His heart there is only happiness and peace.

Now get moving!

We Invite You to Our Fall Novena, October 17-25

We Invite You to Our Fall Novena, October 17-25 at St. Vincent Ferrer Church in River Forest, IL. Rosary, devotions, and Mass at noon and 7:00 pm every day, along with veneration of the relics of St. Jude. Come and pray with us to this powerful saint!

Dominican Life in Rome, Part II

I just received these gems. Here is the Central Province's own Fr. Ed Ruane, O.P., with the Master of the Order, Fr. Bruno Cadoré, O.P., and some random guy trying to be a Dominican by wearing white. Ha! Fr. Ed is the Vicar of the Master of the Order at this time. Note that Fr. Bruno is most likely the same height as St. Dominic.

Dominican Life in Rome

Fr. Dominic Holtz, O.P. leads a tour of Santa Sabina in Rome.

Many of the men we meet in the Vocations Office are initially interested in the ministries that our men are engaged in both within the Province and outside of our geographical boundaries. We have had men missioned to Nigeria and Bolivia for decades. However, we do not know what the future holds for our Province as far as the Mission fields go, because the success of both Bolivia and Nigeria have left them self-sufficient and no longer in need of new men from our Province to minister in either country. While we do have men still in Nigeria and Bolivia, they will not be joined by our young men in formation. We wait for new opportunities to minister throughout the world, which will likely come by way of a request from the Master of the Order in Rome.

Rome is a place where we have a relatively large number of men in active ministry. We have two in the General Curia at Santa Sabina and three ministering and teaching at the Angelicum in Rome. One of the interesting facts regarding our Provincial presence in Rome is that the entire Latin language curriculum is taught exclusively by our friars Frs. Dominic Holtz, O.P. and Albert Glade, O.P. Further, Fr. Michael Monshau, O.P. teaches the only homiletics curriculum in all of Rome. It's clear that the gifts of the friars of the Central Province reach far and wide and faithfully serve the Church no matter where they are called.

A good sign of a vocation to the Dominicans is a desire to serve the Order and the Church in unique and adventurous ways. Men entering our way of life will soon find the Order challenging them to realize gifts they may not know they had, and then to use those gifts to further the mission of Jesus Christ in preaching His message of salvation to the farthest corners of the world.

But you won't know what you can do with the help of God until you try!

Come and See Poster

Space is limited! Contact us now!

2012 Vocations Poster

Look for this poster in our ministry sites or email me to get one sent to you.

Domine, da mihi hanc aquam!: Advice for discerning a vocation to religious life...

Fr. Powell offers excellent advice for those discerning a religious vocation. One thing that is very key in this article is the role of the Vocation Director. It is one of low pressure that seeks the good end of the candidate. It may not be in the particular order or diocese of the Vocation Director. What is necessary if that the person finds the place to live out religious life. That it happens is more important than recruiting a new member for my province!

In any case, enjoy the article and email me with any questions about your call to serve Jesus Christ.
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Domine, da mihi hanc aquam!: Advice for discerning a vocation to religious life...: A couple of HA readers have written to ask about vocation discernment.  From 2009, here's my answer:

Come and See Weekend!

Our next Come and See discernment weekend will be held in St. Louis at our new St. Dominic Priory on the weekend of October 26th - 28th. If you would like to attend or know someone who would benefit from just such a weekend, please email Fr. Andy McAlpin, O.P. to receive a registration form or to ask about the weekend. Space is limited, so don't delay in reserving your spot on this faith-filled and important weekend!

New Novice Class

Our new Novice class received the Habit this past week and is off and running for the 2012/2013 year. Please keep them in your prayers as they enter into the life of a Dominican friar.

From left to right: Fr. Jerry Stookey, O.P. - Prior, Fr. Robert Keller, O.P. - Novice Master, Br. Luke Carroll, Br. Brian Zuelke, Br. David Schuster, Br. Lorenzo Laorden, Br. Ambrose Lowman, Br. Brent Bowen, Fr. Louie Morrone, O.P. - Socius of the Province, Br. Michael Ibarra.

Pre-novitiate Program Continues

Life for our new men is going well as we continue introducing them to the life of a Dominican friar. In this picture you see Br. Nick Monco, O.P. teaching the candidates the Dominican Salve Regina. They are quick learners and are almost ready to receive the Holy Habit of St. Dominic. Please pray for them!

Dominican vs. The World: The Shrine of St. Jude

Dominican vs. The World: The Shrine of St. Jude: Tonight begins the July Novena to St. Jude at our parish in Denver. This coincides with the launching of the Shrine's new website . Click on...

Pre-Novitiate

Please pray for the eight men that are scheduled to begin their life in the Dominicans this coming Sunday as we head out to Colorado Springs and the Franciscan Retreat Center. Spared from the recent fires, this setting offers a glimpse at the beauty of God's creation to our newest brothers. Stay tuned for more information and postings about these brothers as they prepare to recieve the habit of St. Dominic in August and being their novice year.

Angelic Warfare Confraternity

Vocations candidates of any age, especially the teen and young adult, would do well to be enrolled in the Angelic Warfare Confraternity. In an age of unbridled self-expression and hedonistic nonsense, the Confraternity offers a sane and holy alternative. Following the teachings of St. Thomas Aquinas and the prayers and practices of the Confraternity will help anyone on the path toward God and true happiness in this life and the next.

The Friars of the Province of St. Joseph have done great work in promoting and keeping the Confraternity alive and well in these dark days of moral and cultural decline. I can do no better than point you to their website and the Facebook group. I was recently appointed as the Promoter of the Angelic Warfare Confraternity for the Province of St. Albert the Great and I hope to enroll as many people as possible including many at our Come and See Weekends. Contact me if you wish to be enrolled or you have any questions regarding the Angelic Warfare Confraternity.

On Lengthy Discernment

Are you in the Perpetual Discerners Club? Have you been thinking about priesthood or the religious life for years and cannot make up your mind? St. Thomas Aquinas has some words for you. You can read the text of his arguments from the Summa here.

 Or you can listen to me: Just do it already!

My favorite part of the argument:

"I respond, it should be said that long deliberation and the counsel of many people are required in great and doubtful things, as the Philosopher says in Ethics III, but counsel is not required in those things which are certain and determined. Now three things can be considered concerning the entrance into religious life. First of all the entrance into religious life according to itself. And thus it is certain that entrance into religious life is the better good, and he who doubts about this insofar as it is in itself, disparages Christ, who gave this counsel."

Like I said, Just do it already! Jesus is waiting!

First Profession of Vows

One of the great events anyone contemplating a vocation to the religious life is to attend a vows liturgy. Our current novices, Brs. Drew Anderson and Martin Taylor, will make first profession on Sunday, August 12 at 5:00 pm in the Church.

 All are welcome to join all of us for this joyous event.

Our New Priory

Where do our student brothers live, pray and study? Right here at our new St. Dominic Priory. This wonderful new facility is a Godsend. Visit the website and let us know what you think. We have had one Come & See weekend there so far and the response was outstanding.

October Come & See

Our next Come & See weekend for the Province of St. Albert the Great will be October 26 - 28, 2012 at our new priory in St. Louis. Email Fr. Andy to sign-up and for more details.

All Things New!

We have launched our new website for the Province of St. Albert the Great. We opened our new priory in St. Louis last December. We started Tweeting and posting on Facebook. And so its time to start blogging. Here you will find various articles, updates and links that have to do with vocations to the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great, also known as the Central Province. Please stop by often for news and updates from our Vocations Office.