Spiritual Corner -- About the Lay Dominicans (II)

Anyone who would like to join the Laity of St. Dominic should be a fervent Catholic, polite, prayerful, respectful to the liturgies, loyal to the Pope, in full acceptance of the great value of their vocation, determined to live by this style throughout their whole life. Such style requires an active commitment to the gospel spirit, high moral standard, resistance to worldly temptations, selfconstraint, the ability to assist others and to enrich their enthusiasm in spirituality.

The main benefits of being a lay Dominican are as follows:

1. As members belonging to the Dominican family, they are in full communion with the whole Dominican family in prayer, penance and good deeds.
2. Such a living style helps in the growth of spirituality. The Church, throughout the ages, has been promoting such a living style, and the most concrete evidence is that many, many members had been beatified or canonized.
3. Experience the communion of the Dominican family. Members of the Lay Dominicans do not just live out the special mission of being Catholics, but they can, through the Dominican Order and their consecrated life style and the apostolic works, actively participate in the apostolic mission of the Church.

It had been repeatedly emphasized in Vatican II: “Every Catholic, despite his/her status and situation, has been called by God, disregard the way he/she has chosen, to completely sanctify himself/ herself and to amplify God’s perfection.” “Everyone should proceed without hesitation on the path of faith in accordance with his/her blessings and duties. Their faith will provoke hope and work through love…Believers, by their own life style, status and situation, and with the spirit of faith, receiving from God the Father all things and working in cooperation with the divine will of God, will be able to reveal God’s love for mankind through their secular services, and they will grow in spirituality every day.”

The Lay Dominican provides every member a concrete plan for sanctification: “Catholics, whether married or single, in sickness, or engaging in their profession or any kind of work in the community, do possess certain characteristics in their spiritual life. Making the best use of the graces from the Holy Spirit, they should be able to cultivate their talents in accordance with the quality and ability of their particular status. Besides, Catholics, in response to such special vocations, should participate in every group or community that has been endorsed by the Church, trying their best to faithfully accomplish the special spiritual life as members of that particular community.”

Yours,
Sr. Magdalena Yang
<Based on writings of Fr. P. Nerira OP >

Related Blog (Posted Dec-13-2024) : Spiritual Corner - About the Lay Dominicans (I)