priestly fraternity: Who? why? How?

Who?

Least well known is the fact that diocesan priests and permanent deacons also have a place in the Dominican Order through the Priestly Fraternities of St. Dominic. Chapters, or fraternal groups of varying sizes, make up the Priestly Fraternities of St. Dominic. Several years ago, the community of Evansville people known as the Servants of the Redemptor discerned that their hopes and aspirations so closely paralleled those of the Dominican Order that they wished to become a Dominican entity. Lay members created a laity chapter that has been definitely approved and accepted into the Dominican Order under the title, The Woman Clothed With the Sun. 

The lay chapter's clerical counterpart, the Mary Mediatrix Chapter of priests and permanent deacons, was founded one year ago and its members embarked upon a novitiate year of formation immediately. With that novitiate completed, the members assembled at their headquarters, Indiana Cardinal, to make their profession at Holy Mass, to conduct an elective chapter and to enjoy fellowship.

Why join the Priestly Fraternity of Evansville?

The entity which used to be called the “Third Order” offers a way that lay people and diocesan priests can belong to the Order, participate in its fellowship, contribute to its preaching mission and enjoy the spiritual benefits and privileges of the Order. Familiar Third Order Dominicans are St. Catherine of Siena, St. Rose of Lima, and Blesses Pier Giorgio Frassati.

 Priests and deacons who seek membership in the Priestly Fraternities invariably are seeking a deepening of their priestly consecration. They are inspired by the example of St. Dominic and the mission of the Order he founded. They are encouraged to develop a devotion to St. Dominic, St. Catherine of Siena – the Patroness of the Priestly Fraternities – and to all the saints and blesseds of the Order. Members of the Priestly Fraternities are encouraged to model their priesthood on that of St. Dominic, and to imitate him in his prayer, his study of the Sacred Scriptures, and his zeal for preaching. Their manner of living the priesthood is shaped by the Rule for the Priestly Fraternities.

The Priestly Fraternity of St. Dominic in Evansville, IN, is a means for secular priests, with a missionary spirit, to engage with active lay Dominicans who are emboldened to “Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, know, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world”.

How to join:

Any priest or permanent deacon who is interested in investigating the possibility of becoming a member of the Priestly Fraternities of St. Dominic begins by contacting the local promoter of the Priestly Fraternities. If admitted, the priest or deacon is received into the Order by a special rite of vestition. The priest or deacon then enters a preparatory period of 1 year, during which time he deepens his knowledge and understanding of the spirit of the Order. The priest or deacon is then able to apply to make his profession, in which he makes a solemn promise to live according to the Rule of the Priestly Fraternities of St. Dominic until death.