Schedule for Inquiry Formation [PDF]
Required Texts:
- CCC Catechism of the Catholic Church
- Christian Prayer (Red Book) Catholic Book Publishing Corp., New York, 1976
- Curtis, Robert and Woods, Karen Dominicana A Guidebook for Inquirers Second Edition SchoolBoy Press, 2004
- Dorcy, Sister Mary Jean Saint Dominic Tan Books An Imprint of Saint Benedict Press, 1987 (OPTIONAL read during summer months)
Meeting 1 – September
Topic: Introduction to the Dominican Order Pt. I
Saint: St. Dominic
- Gain introduction to the life of St. Dominic
- Identify key virtues exemplified by St. Dominic
- Discuss the historic situation in which the Order of Preachers was founded
- Compare and contrast the time of the founding of the Order with our own times in order to appreciate the need for the Dominican charism today
- SUGGESTION: Before going to Vespers: Provide very simple instructions on this communal liturgical prayer; consider providing ready-made booklets for inquirers until January, when they will learn how to use the actual book.
Dominican Spirituality: Principles and Practice (William A. Hinnebusch, O.P.), Ch. I: “A General View of Dominican Life” [PDF]
Cameron, Peter John, OP. “The Dominican Difference in the World.” Dominican Torch, Summer, 2006. [PDF]
Dominicana: A Guidebook for Inquirers, 2nd ed., pp. 15 – 17
Saint: Dominicana pp. 143-145
September Study Questions [PDF]
Meeting 2 – October
Topic: Introduction to the Dominican Order Pt. II
Saint: St. Martin de Porres
- Recognize the mission of the Order as preaching and the salvation of souls
- Distinguish the branches of the Dominican family (friars—priest and brothers, nuns, sisters, laity)
- Enumerate the four pillars of Dominican life (prayer, study, community, preaching/apostolate) common to all branches of the Dominican family
- Learn broad overview of Dominican history
Dominican Spirituality: Principles and Practice (William A. Hinnebusch, O.P.), Ch. II: “Dominican Life in the Image of St. Dominic” [PDF]
Dominicana: A Guidebook for Inquirers, 2nd ed., pp. 18-23; 24-34
Saint: Dominicana pp. 149-150
October Study Questions [PDF]
Meeting 3 – November
Topic: The Four Pillars of Dominican Life: Prayer, Part I
Saint: St. Catherine of Siena
- Define prayer and forms of prayer (adoration, petition, intercession, thanksgiving, praise)
- Recognize the importance of growing in the life of daily prayer, both personal and communal
- Describe the prayer of St. Dominic and how he spoke either with God or of God
- Read and meditate upon the Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic
- Understand infused contemplation as the normal flowering of the life of grace
- Discuss the Dominican devotion to prayer for the dead
CCC #2623 – 2649 (forms of prayer) [PDF]
Dominican Spirituality: Principles and Practice (William A. Hinnebusch, O.P.), Ch. III: “Dominican Life is Contemplative” [PDF]
The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic [PDF]
“The Pillars of Dominican Life: Dominican Spirituality for the Laity,” V: Personal Prayer [PDF]
Rule and Directory, Southern Province, 2016 Appendix A, p.46 [PDF]
Saint: Dominicana pp. 151
November Study Questions [PDF]
Meeting 4 – December
Topic: The Four Pillars of Dominican Life: Prayer, Part II
Saint: St. Hyacinth
- Introduction to the Liturgy, liturgical seasons, Liturgy of the Hours (short history of the LotH)
- Recognize the LotH as the public prayer of the whole people of God which sanctifies the hours of the day
- Explain the four reasons the LotH is an integral prayer for a Dominican (cf. Dominicana p.187)
- Provide instruction to the components of the Hours (psalms, readings, intercession, etc.)
- Practice locating the proper pages for the LotH
- Practice communal praying of the LotH
CCC #1187-1199 (Liturgy “In Brief”)
CCC #1174-1178 (Liturgy of the Hours)
CCC #2585-2589 (the Psalms)
Dominicana: A Guidebook for Inquirers, 2nd ed., pp. 180-194
Excerpts from Catechism (Liturgy “In Brief”) CCC 1187-1199 Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Catechism of the Catholic Church: (Revised in Accordance with the Official Latin Text Promulgated by Pope John Paul II)1997. Vatican City. http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM. Accessed July 2016. [PDF]
Rubrics of the Southern Province Friars for Praying the Divine Office [PDF]
“The Pillars of Dominican Life: Dominican Spirituality for the Laity,” IV: Liturgical Prayer [PDF]
Saint: Dominicana pp. 153-154
Suggested Reading:
Nugent, Madeline Pecora. The Divine Office for Dodos. Catholic Book Publishing. New Jersey: 2008
December Study Questions [PDF]
Meeting 5 – January
Topic: The Four Pillars of Dominican Life: Prayer, Part III
Saint: Pope St. Pius V
- Explain the three major expressions of prayer: vocal, meditative, and contemplative, and the role of these forms of prayer in Dominican common and private prayer
- Note connections between prayer and the other three pillars of Dominican life
- Recognize Marian devotion in the Order; the origins of the Salve Regina procession; the titles of Mary as Queen of Preachers and Mother of Mercy
- Examine the history of the Rosary and the Order’s promotion of this devotion
CCC #2697-2724 (Expressions of Prayer) Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Catechism of the Catholic Church: (Revised in Accordance with the Official Latin Text Promulgated by Pope John Paul II)1997. Vatican City. http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM. Accessed July 2016. [PDF]
Dominican Spirituality: Principles and Practice (William A. Hinnebusch, O.P.), Ch. V: “Dominican Life is Liturgical” [PDF]
Dominicana: A Guidebook for Inquirers, 2nd ed., pp. 194-199
“The Pillars of Dominican Life: Dominican Spirituality for the Laity,” II: Contemplation for the Laity, VI: Meditation or Mental Prayer, VII: Devotion to the Blessed Virgin [PDF]
Saint: Dominicana pp. 155
January Study Questions [PDF]
February
Day of Recollection
Meeting 6 – March
Topic: Study, Part I
Saint: St. Thomas Aquinas
- Identify study as the intellectual grappling with sacred Truth
- Recognize that Dominican study is never an isolated act, but always pursued with the end of being of use to the souls of one’s neighbors
- Explain the meaning of the 3 Dominican mottos (Veritas; Contemplare et contemplata allies tradere; Laudare, Benedicere, Predicare) and how these relate to Dominican study
Dominican Spirituality: Principles and Practice (William A. Hinnebusch, O.P.), Ch. VI: “Dominican Life is Doctrinal” [PDF]
“The Pillars of Dominican Life: Dominican Spirituality for the Laity,” I: Truth [PDF]
“The Place of Study in the Ideal of St. Dominic” (James A. Weisheipl, O.P.) [Website] [PDF]
Saint: Dominicana pp. 147-149
March Study Questions [PDF]
Meeting 7 – April
Topic: Study, Part II
Saint: St. Albert the Great (Albertus Magnus)
- Identify ways and means of incorporating study of sacred truth into one’s daily life
- Discern how to share the fruits of one’s study with a friend, colleague, or family member, or through a parish group
- Describe the connections between study and the other three pillars of Dominican life, particularly the apostolate
“The Pillars of Dominican Life: Dominican Spirituality for the Laity,” III: Study [PDF]
Aumann, Jordan, OP. “The Contemplative Dimension of Dominican Spirituality” [Website] [PDF]
Dominicana: A Guidebook for Inquirers, 2nd ed., pp. 200-219 (“Formation Ahead”)
Saint: Dominicana pp. 145-147
April Study Questions [PDF]
Meeting 8 – May
Topic: Community, Part I
Saint: St. Juan Macias
- Understand the nature of community in a lay Dominican chapter, as an aid for growth in charity and in the virtues, as well as support in study, prayer, and apostolate.
- Recognize the local chapter’s connection to the communion within the Dominican Order and the universal Church.
- Explain the virtue-based approach to morality characteristic of Dominican spirituality.
- Define the theological and moral virtues.
Dominican Spirituality: Principles and Practice (William A. Hinnebusch, O.P.), Ch. VII: “Dominican Life is Fraternal” [PDF]
“The Pillars of Dominican Life: Dominican Spirituality for the Laity,” IX: Community Life [PDF]
CCC 1803-1829 (Article 7 in Life in Christ) Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Catechism of the Catholic Church: (Revised in Accordance with the Official Latin Text Promulgated by Pope John Paul II)1997. Vatican City. http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM. Accessed July 2016. [PDF]
Saint: Dominicana pp. 154-155
May Study Questions [PDF]
Meeting 9 – June
Topic: Community, Part II
Saint: St. Rose of Lima
- Summarize the structure of government in the Order, province, local chapter.
- Introduce the Rule & Directory in a manner proper to this stage in formation.
- Describe the penitential nature of the Dominican life, and how the practice of penance can enable one to share in the redemptive work of Christ and grow in charity.
- Read Biography (Dorcy) of St. Dominic through summer months.
Dominican Spirituality: Principles and Practice (William A. Hinnebusch, O.P.), Ch. VIII: “Dominican Life is Sacrificial” [PDF]
Rule and Directory, Southern Province of St. Martin de Porres, 2016. “The Rule of the Lay Chapters of St. Dominic,” sections 1-14 pp 9-11 and The Particular Directory Section I “The Basics of Lay Dominican Life” A-D pp. 22-23 [PDF]
“The Pillars of Dominican Life: Dominican Spirituality for the Laity” VIII: Penance, XI: Loyalty to the Church. [PDF]
Dominicana: A Guidebook for Inquirers, 2nd ed., pp.36-37; 56-70.
Darcy, Sister Mary Jean, OP. Saint Dominic. Cross and Crown Series of Spirituality, 1959. (OPTIONAL)
Saint: Dominicana pp. 150-151
June Study Questions [PDF]
Meeting 10 – July
Topic: Preaching/Apostolate Part I
Saint: St. Antoninus
- Consider examples of mercy and compassion in the life of St. Dominic and his zeal for the salvation of all.
- Explain the Church’s teaching on the apostolate of the laity, and of preaching as a sharing in the prophetic ministry of Christ.
- Examine the forms Dominican preaching can take according to one’s star in life, personal charisms, etc.
Dominican Spirituality: Principles and Practice (William A. Hinnebusch, O.P.), Ch. IV: “Dominican Life is Apostolic” [PDF]
“The Pillars of Dominican Life: Dominican Spirituality for the Laity,” XII: Preaching; X: Poverty [PDF]
Dominicana: A Guidebook for Inquirers, 2nd ed., pp.100-137
Actuositatem Apostolica, 1965. (Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity); pp.141-142
Saint: Dominicana pp. 152-153
July Study Questions [PDF]
Meeting 11 – August
Topic: Preaching/Apostolate, Part II
Saint: Bl. John of Fiesole (Fra Angelico)
- Define evangelization and explain the three situations of evangelization today (mission ad gentes, pastoral care of the faithful, and new evangelization) as articulated by St. Pope John Paul II in Redemptoris Missio #33-34.
- Recognize the motivation for evangelization as the love of Jesus Christ and desire to share Him with others.
- Discern one’s own call to evangelization.
- Explain the interconnected relationship between the four pillars of Dominican life and the Order’s mission of preaching and the salvation of souls.
Philipon, Fr. M. M. “The Dominican Soul” [Website] [PDF]
Dominicana: A Guidebook for Inquirers, 2nd ed., pp.215-222
St. Pope John Paul II. Redemptoris Missio #33-34. [Website] [PDF]
Saint Dominic and the Preachers. Institute of Catholic Culture. [Audio] Registration required. “St. Dominic and the Preachers: A Spiritual Crusade” Lecture Notes by John A. Cuddeback, Ph.D., Christendom College, used with permission of the author [PDF]
Saint: Dominicana pp. 156-157
August Study Questions [PDF]