It’s something that we like to think of as only happening in the history books, that with all our advancements in technology and medicine, it certainly can’t happen to us here and now - that a disease could sweep through a community and cause such serious illness, death, isolation, economic loss and fear. But as we hear the reports about the spread of the coronavirus and feel its devastating effects in big and small ways, we are once again reminded how fragile we are.
Read MorePenance. Suffering. Ashes and dust. It’s that time of liturgical year again. So what is the season about? Is it merely to inflict pain and punishment, to make us feel bad about ourselves and our sins? To bring gloom and doom down on us as we are reminded “you are dust, and to dust you shall return”? Certainly if we were a people without faith in a God of mercy and love, without hope for life with Him in heaven, then Lent would indeed be very dark. But we are ultimately an Easter people…
Read MoreFra Angelico was an examplar Dominican preacher - he sought the face of God in contemplation, gave Christ his entire being and became an instrument in His hand to preach the Gospel and draw people to Himself through the beauty of his paintings and frescoes. This too is the way for the nuns of the Order of Preachers. Our community has, from its beginning, had a tradition in the visual and musical arts, which has blossomed through the course of time in various ways: producing vestments and ecclesiastical linens, Gothic calligraphy and illuminating manuscripts, fine artwork, photography and digital design, and most recently iconography.
Read MoreWe’ve seen it played out countless times in our imaginations and on-screen: two people going about life as usual, but then, they catch each other’s glance. The world around them fades away as they stop and look at the other. An ordinary moment is made extraordinary by an encounter with the other, and the course of their lives changes. Do this life-changing moment really happen? Can they happen to us? Yes!
Read MoreEvery morning when a Dominican dons the habit, he or she is reminded of the fact that he or she is in the middle of a war. The habit hasn’t changed much since it was given to Saint Dominic and the first friars and nuns of the Order of Preachers – white tunic and scapular with a belt, black cappa (and veil for the sisters). But conspicuously attached to the belt where a medieval knight would have slung a sword, is a rosary.
Read MoreGratitude towards benefactors is a natural virtue, but the grace of Christianity perfects its interior principle and makes its effects more lasting. When our friends, employees and benefactors have passed into eternal life, gratitude follows them beyond the tomb and assists them by numerous prayers.
Read MoreHope. It’s a word we hear a lot - it even became a campaign slogan - but do we really know what it is? It sounds good and on some level, we instinctively want it, but how can we get it? We can learn a lot about hope by looking to our Blessed Mother and our Holy Father Dominic.
Read MoreOn the road to God and eternal happiness, there are eight common pitfalls that can trap us and keep us captive. Here’s what they are and how to avoid them.
Read MoreSince Jesus told the beloved apostle, “Behold your mother,” at the cross, Christians have gone to Mary, as she is our mother in the order of grace. But Dominicans have a special devotion to Our Lady as she is our Patroness and was instrumental in bringing our Order into existence, sustaining it and causing it to flourish.
Read MoreThis is the advice given by many saints, and Dominicans are no exception.
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