UST-LEGAZPI

04
'"e FAITH FORMATION PROGRAM
1.

I AM A DOMINICAN!
Calapini, William Angelo

2BSN1
Sr. Mark John Palanca

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II

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 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Creator of all things,
true Source of light and wisdom,
lofty origin of all being,
graciously let a ray of Your brilliance
penetrate into the darkness of my understanding
and take from me the double darkness
in which I have been born,
an obscurity of both sin and ignorance.
Give me a sharp sense of understanding, a retentive memory,
and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally.
Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations, and
the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm.
Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in completion; through
Christ our Lord. Amen

St. Thomas Aquinas, Pray for us.

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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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.,, Let's find out how much you already know about this topic. Read -car-· -·
questions in each item and think what is being asked. Give your honest ans;WeF-Ll:o
the question by encircling the best answer from each question.
1. Which of the following is TRUE about St. Dominic de Guzman?
a. He was the co-founder of the Order of Friars Minor, being a friend of St. Francis.
b. He was a son of a royal family, his father being the duke of old Castile.
 c. He was educated in his early age under the tutelage of his uncle priest.
d. He was made an assistant bishop to Diego of Osma.
e. He was known for his encounter with the protestants.
2. What was the reason why the heretic leaders are more efficient preachers than some of the
Catholic monks and bishops?
a. Because the heretic leaders were formerly philosophers and academicians
b. Because the Catholic monks and bishops were restricted to travel from town to town
c. Because the heretic leaders were powerful landlord and noblemen
d. Because the Catholic monks and bishops were very old and weak
e. Because the heretic leaders were austere and lived in apostolic simplicity \
3. Which of the following is the CORE Value of the Order of Preachers?
a. Veritas - Truth c. Contemplatio - Contemplation e. Fides - Faith
b. Caritas - Charity d. Ora - Prayer

4. Which of the following is NOT a Pillar of Dominican Spirituality?

a. Study c. Prayer
b. Penance d. Community

5. Which of the following is the Three-Fold Mission of the Dominicans?

a. Laudare, Contemplare, Benedicere d. Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare
b. Contemplare, Benedicere, e. Contemplare, Praedicare, Caritate
Praedicare
c. Laudare, Benedicere, Contemplare
6. What was the goal of St. Dominic's desire for his followers to search the Truth through prayer fwl
study and contemplation of the Word of God?
a. Education people through preaching d. To praise, bless and preach ///
b. Sharing the fruits of contemplation e.To administer the Sacraments
c. Salvation of the souls of others /J
1
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7. When St. Dominic died, what particular Church feast is being celebrated?
a. Corpus Christi c. Pentecost e. Sacred Heart
b. Veneration of the Cross d. Transfiguration

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8. Which of the following is the favorite books of the bible of St. Dominic which he carries with
him
wherever he went? :=::::::
a. Gospel of Mark c. Gospel of Luke e. Gospel of Matthew
b. Letter of St. John d. Catholic Epistles --...'

9. What already existing religious rule was adopted by St. Dominic and his men to be the rule of the
Order?
a. Rule of St. c. Rule of St. Francis e. Constitutions of Premontre
Augustine
d. Cistersian Rule
b. Rule of St. Benedict
10. What was the vision of Joan of Aza, Dominic's mother, before she conceived him??
a. A moon on Dominic's forehead d. A bleeding wound on his hands and feet
b. A dog with a burning torch in its mouth e. A cross with flaming crown of thorns
c. A star on Dominic's forehead

Ii,; Quaestio /
We
c, feel free all know
to ask them inthat the University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi is a Dominican Institution, owned and
our forum.
managed by the Dominican Province of the Philippines. And we, who are members of this university
community by reason of employment or enrolment and other engagements, are, in one way or another,
Dominicans. This means to say that, having such an identity we are expected to live as expected of
either a Dominican Student or a Dominican Educator. But what exactly is expected from us? What
become does it mean
ambiguous to be a Dominican?
and oftentimes relegated to theWhat is in
sidelines Dominican Charism?
lieu of something What
apparently is itsNow
practical. relevance tovery
a days it is us difficult
and to de
to

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0
0
0
0
.....
"°" FAKE
FAKE FACT
.. 020s 0 3

) NASA hailed Duterte as 'the best president in the solar system"

Opisyal nang kinilala ng National Aerooautics ancl Space Administration !NASA I si

-
Pan gulong D- uten e b- ilaog pin - -
akabest na presidente sab•. . --.-
 FAKE FACT
FACT

C i&! PROCESS QUESTIONS

v:)
How do you feel in doing these activity? Why is that so?
Disappointed, Because people spread false information and irrelevant once, although it may serve as
sarcasm or solely for our humor.

Is truth an essential element in your life and in the life of the community? Why?

Yes, we all want truth especially on important matters. It is crucial to the community receive legit news
related to what is going on around the globe.

Is it worth defending the Truth at all times? Why?

Yes, Truth is of utmost importance to both our society and our sanity, which is why Christians are
charged to defend the truth.

The problem about the truth is not exclusive to our recent times, it has confronted people of the
early days of human history. Countless people have given their best to possess the truth and defend it,
not for their own consumption and satisfaction but for the sake of a more lofty ideals. That's exactly
the reason of St. Dominic de Guzman when he embarked on establishing his order. Who then is St.
Dominic? What is the Order of Friars Preachers?

/ ctivit · a Thi
Below are some of the famous members of the Dominican Family who have made
significant contributions to the Catholic Church and to the Society they belong. Please identify
them and make a witty caption on their pictures:

s
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O=;;...N:

Ill
 Saint's Name and Caption
1. 1. St. Catherine of Siena
2. 2. St. Vincent Ferrer
3. St. Albert the Great
3.
4. San Raimundo de Penafort
4. 5. Fr. Bartolome De Las Casas
5. 6. San Lorenzo Ruiz
7. St. Thomas Aquinas
6. 8. St. Martin de Porres
7. 9. St. Peter
10. Fra Angelico
8.
9.
10.

PROCESS QUESTIONS

Knowing their personalities can greatly influence us.

What idea do these famous Dominicans give you about the Order?
It is composed of holy people that are truly devoted to almighty God.
,, I/ // // / / / / IIIII I

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Are you interested to know more about the Dominican Order? hy is u fut so?

Yes, I want to know the history and the teaching. Also, how did it shape Christianity.
h
/ ,, ////// //I // / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / I I I
1/I/ //////////////// / / / / / / / I
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Knowledge of some of the famous Dominican personalities will give you an idea about the Order
of Friars Preacher, though it is incomplete. To gain deeper understanding of the Order - the reason for
its foundation, its spirituality and charism, its impact on the life of the Church - you have to understand :--.:
its context and its founder.

W Objectio/
/ Activity 3: Do lnlcan rlvla
Before proceeding to the details of the founder of the Order of Preachers, and the
Dominican Spirituality and Charism, try to identify some of the images below which are related to
either St. Dominic or the Dominicans. You may seek information from your companions at home or
from the internet.

PROCESS QUESTIONS

Are the images looks familiar to you? Where have you seen them?
The second logo is the seal of the Dominican order, on the internet.

What is common to the images?

They are all symbols/ logo. It looks like a guild symbol or some kind of organization

What insights did you get from these images?

I found out that the logo is the seal of the Dominican order, and the other logo are like alliances.
I
,;;Jj))
, I;/// IIII IIIII
,11 1/I///II/I////II
At this point, you have gain some ideas with regard to the Dominican Order, though it's only the "tip of
the iceberg". There is more to what you have discovered so far. In order for you to fully understand
the Dominicans, you have to discover first the founder - St. Dominic de Guzman.

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St. Dominic de Guzman

In the year 1170, Dominic de Guzman was born in

Calarogo in old Castile, now Caleruega in north-central Spain,
about 20 miles from the Cathedral in Osma. Both his parents
were members of the lower nobility. His father, Don Felix de
Guzman is a noble man. His mother, Blessed Jane (Joan) of
Aza, renown for her charity to the poor, is a holy woman in
her own right. They lived in a tower in the little village of
which they were the royal wardens. His eldest brother An
thony became a Canon of Saint James, who distributed his
patrimony to the poor and spent his life ministering to the
sick. His elder brother, Mannes, joined the Order of preach
ers and was later beatified.

Before his mother conceived him, she saw in a vision

that a dog with a burning torch in its mouth would come
forth from her womb and set the world aflame. Later, she
saw the moon on his forehead, yet at his Baptism, his god
mother perceived it as a star. The boy was christened proba
bly after Saint Dominic of Silas whose nearby shrine was a
favorite of his mother.

From his earliest youth he was trained to become a priest. Such a decision had to be made early
since the choice of vocation determined the kind of training a child was given, either for knighthood or
priesthood. After he had learned the rudiments, Dominic was initiated into clerical studies by his moth
er's brother, who is the archpriest of Gumiel d'lzan, not far distant from Caleruega. In 1184, when he
was about fourteen, Dominic entered the University of Palencia where he remained for ten years pros
ecuting his studies with such ardour and success that throughout the ephemeral existence of that insti
tution he was held up to the admiration of its scholars as all that a student should be. Amid the frivoli ties
and dissipations of a university city, the life of the future saint was characterized by seriousness of
purpose and an austerity of manner which singled him out as one from whom great things might be
expected in the future. But more than once he proved that under this austere exterior he carried a
heart that is so tender that in one occasion, he sold his books, annotated with his own hand, to relieve
the starving poor of Palencia. His biographer and contemporary, Bartholomew of Trent, states that
twice he tried to sell himself into slavery to obtain money for the liberation of those who were held in
captivity by the Moors.
11 I

Completing his studies when he was about twenty-four, he joined the chapter of Canons
Regular of the cathedral of Osma, and soon afterwards was ordained a priest. He was still a
 o that ideal, and then to
student at Palencia when Don Martin de Bazan, the bishop of Osma, calledommand,him to and
membership
certainty ofin
the cathedral chapter for the purpose of assisting in its reform. The bishop realized the importance
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to his plan of reform of hav ing constantly before his canons the example of one of Dominic's
eminent holiness. In recognition of the part he had taken in converting its members into canons
regular, Dominic was appointed sub-prior of the reformed chapter. On the accession of Don Diego
d'Azevedo to the Bishopric of Osma in 1201, Dominic became superior of the chapter with the title
of prior. As a canon of Osma, he spent nine years of his life hidden in God and rapt in
contemplation, scarcely passing beyc;md the confines of the chapter house.

8 ///-

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,,.

% ./' Dominic was gifted in being able to conceive his ideal, to form his men t
/,,,, trust them completely. His leadership had great clarity of vision, firmness of c
execution. At the same time it was said of him that his gentleness was such that anyone who came to
speak to him, even for reproof, went away happier.

In 1221, his health was already declining, yet he continued to

walk from town to town preaching. By the midsummer, he had
already spent his strength. The summer heat of Bologna com
pounded his fever. He could no longer stand, but refused to be
put on a bed. He lay on the floor of a borrowed cell, in a bor
rowed habit, for he had none of his own. He had bequeathed
to his children this testimony: "Have charity one for another;
guard humility; make your treasure out of voluntary poverty."
He then emphasized poverty, saying, "May my malediction and
that of God fall upon him who shall bring possessions into this
Order." When asked about burial, he expressed his wish to be
"under the feet of the brethren," that is, under the feet of those
who bring Good News. He assured them, "Do not weep, my
children; I shall be more useful to you where I am now going,
than I have ever been in this life."

Near the end, he told the elders, "Till this day, God, in His mer
cy, has kept my virginity pure and unstained. If you desire this
blessed gift of God, hold yourselves apart from everything that
can conjure up evil, for it is by watchful care in this that a man
is loved by God and revered by man. Be eager in your service
of God; strengthen and widen this newborn Order; increase
your love of God and your keen observance of the Rule; grow
in holiness." Only a few more words were exchanged. After his
confession, he directed his sons to begin the Commendation of
the Dying. During its recitation, he stretched his arms upward
and died. It was Friday, August 6, 1221, about 6 o'clock in the
evening: fittingly the Transfiguration, a feast regarding proph ets
 and apostles. Saint Dominic had lived 51 years.

The life of St. Dominic was one of tireless effort in the service
of God. While he journeyed from place to place he prayed and
preached almost uninterruptedly. He labored untiringly to destroy the heresy because he loved the
truth and loved the souls of those among whom he labored. He more than once blessed to show forth
the power of God through supernatural events such as the failure of the fire at Fanjeaux to consume
the dissertation he had employed against the heretics, and which was thrice thrown into the flames;
the raising to life of Napoleone Orsini; the appearance of the annals in the refectory of Saint Sixtus in
response to his prayers. All these attest to his eminent holiness. He was then canonized by Pori,e Greg
ory IX on July 13, 1234.

9
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,,. _/ ,,--
,,,-
./' One
"' In
of1203, after Dominic
the essential aspectshad spent
of his almost ten
spirituality that years as ais Canon
I admire, Regular,
his life of prayer.the Holy
This Spirit
made himbegan to
1. ,..., call him
qualified to a new
to become one vocation as founder.
of the saints. St Hiswas
Dominic bishop,
a manDiego, choseIn him
of prayer. loveas companion
with on an
God, he had noembassy to
Denmark to arrange
other aspiration thana the
marriage for the
salvation son of
of souls, the Kingthose
especially of Castile.
who had In fallen
this travel, he net
into the came to know the
of heresies
Albigensian
in his time.heretics; in fact,
He traveled fromthe innkeeper
place to place,where they and
he prayed stayed on their
preached first night
almost was a member
uninterruptedly. As of the
sect. Dominic's
follower zealhe
of Christ, forradically
souls, which
embodiedhad ripened
the threeduring his years
evangelical of contemplative
counsels by combining life atwitness
the Osma, ofburst
into flame.
a life He stayed
of poverty withup
theall night arguing
proclamation ofwith his host.
the Word. Withthe
Under the rising
Holy of theguidance,
Spirit's sun, the he
man gave up his
made
heresy
headwayandonreturned to of
the path theChristian
Catholicperfection.
faith. At every moment prayer was the power that renewed
his apostolic work and made it ever more fruitful. His consistent devotion toward God is really
In Denmark,
unbelievable andDominic and Diego observed the intense missionary activity that the Danish clergy
admirable.
were engaged in among the pagans of the Baltic regions. They also found the papal legates who were
heartily discouraged because despite all their efforts they had made no headway. The heretic leaders,
who live an austere life, keep long fasts, travel on foot, and preach in apostolic simplicity is more
convincing to the people. The clergy of the Catholic Church were not as austere as they were.

Gradually Dominic came to realize the need for preaching that will surpass that of the heretics. He
thought that only a religious Order could give the Church the continuous supply of trained preachers it
needed. Experience had shown that volunteer preachers did not come in sufficient numbers and did
not always persevere. Dominic is aware that the heretic leaders were austere, educated men, well
versed in the Scriptures, who preached convincingly. These facts influenced the kind of Order Dominic
founded. Its members would not only assume the usual obligations of religious but would
systematically study the Scriptures. Dominic and his companions started to discuss the founding of an
Order seriously in 1213- 1214. In the spring of 1215, Bishop Fulk of Toulouse established them as a
preaching brotherhood for his diocese. Dominic gave vows to Thomas and Peter Seila, citizens of
Toulouse. Thus, the Order of Preachers began on a small scale with this episcopal approval.

When Bishop Fulk and Dominic set out for Rome

in 1215 to attend the Fourth Lateran Council, they
tried to obtain papal confirmation of the
foundation of the Order. They petitioned Pope
Innocent Ill to confirm for Dominic and his
disciples an Order that would be an Order of
Preachers. But founding of new religious Orders
were prohibited that time. Pope Innocent Ill
advised Dominic to choose and adopt an existing
religious Rules so he could confirm the Order.
Dominic and the friars chose the Rule of St.
Augustine and framed statutes to supplement it.
These became the first half of the permanent
Constitutions of the Order. Adapted from the
Constitutions of Premontre, they regulated the
religious life of the friars. Returning to Rome,

111/
Dominic obtained the confirmation of his Order.
On December 22, Honorius Ill (Innocent had died
in July) granted a bull of confirmation, approving
 the Order as a body of Canons Regular. A second
bull, issued on January 21, 1217, recognized the newness of Dominic's ideas and approved his
foundation as "an Order that would be calledan d : :
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; ed Contra
The Order of Preachers or simply the Dominican Order was established to be the champion of
Truth and Charity for souls. Hence, it is essential that the life of the Friars Preachers and all the
members of the Dominican Family, their activities and aspirations, must be ordained towards that
mission of preaching the truth and saving souls.

The Core Value of the Order: TRUTH (Veritas) -,

The world is changing inevitably, an equally strong set of moral norms seems to be emerging, people

areThe rationale
giving of the to
high priority Order's foundation,
self-expression andasfree
envisioned by St.
choice, with Dominic,
a growing and
emphasisrr=====
on human rights, tolerance
the very mission that defines its existence as expressed by Pope Honorius Ill in
of outsiders,
the environmentalasprotection,
Bull of Confirmation "defendergender equality,
of Faith", and freedomthe
necessitates of speech. As
upholdingsocieties
of develop to
TRUTH asto
industrial the core value thatgrowing
knowledge-based, every member ofsecurity
existential the Order
tendsmust possess.
to reduce Truth
the importance of religion in
is fundamental to the spirituality of the Dominicans as it sought to battle the
people’s errors
doctrinal lives, and
of people become
the time. less obedient
Hence, to traditional
in line with religious
the conviction of leaders and institutions.
St. Dominic to If that trend
sought 'the salvation of souls' by preaching truth to his hearers, he instituted
continues, the influence that traditional religious authorities wield over public morality will keep shrinking as a
study as Dominican asceticism so that we might preach truth soundly and
culture of growing tolerance becomes ever stronger. but the future is always uncertain. Pandemics such as the
convincingly.

COVID-19 one reduces people’s sense of existential security. If the pandemic lasts for many years or leads to a
This Truth is not simply the academic and doctrinal truth but the Ultimate and Supreme Truth, God,
who isGreat
new Depression,
the source of allthe cultural
truths: changes
'The sum ofof thy
recent decades
word might
is truth' (Psbegin to reverse. People
119:160), 'I the Lord will startthe
speal< to truth, I
declare what is right' (Is 45:19). He guides his people in his truth: 'Lead me in thy truth, and teach
acknowledge and depend on spiritual healing when modern technologies are unable to solve the problem.
me' (Ps 25:5); 'Teach me thy way, 0 Lord, that I may walk in thy truth' (Ps 86:11). In Jesus Christ the
whole of God's truth became manifest, 'full of grace and truth' (Jn 1:14). He came as 'the Light of the
world' (Jn 9:5) and as 'the Truth' (Jn 14:6) to testify to this: 'For this I was born, and for this I have
This is one of the biggest problems in society toward Christianity, people only depend on God in times
come into the world, to bear witness to the truth' (Jn 18:37). His disciples continue in his word because
of crisis
'the truth and
will then
makeforgets to be(Jn
you free' grateful
8:32).after it is solved. The thing is, we don’t need any pandemic, disaster, or
The conviction that God is our beginning and our end, that we come from him and are going to
any suffering to make people faithful. This is where the authentic Dominicans comes in. As Dominican
him, that he himself is truth and that truth will set us free, is the ground of all Dominican action. As the
preachers,
hymn Adorothey
te can properly
devote changeby
(allegedly people’s perspective,
St Thomas that even
Aquinas) in modern
says, world people
'Truth himself speaksneeds theor there's
truly,
nothing true'.
presence of God to correct our morality and live life in virtue. Although modern society is rapidly growing, this

Dominicans
doesn’t mean wecannot
have to be
set interested in quashing
God aside. We their
have to keep opponents.
growing They
along with seek
him to build
to keep with everyone
the balance of this on
the same edifice of truth. Their pursuit of truth necessarily entails that they should also explain and
world.
defend the truth, in the old-fashioned sense of the word 'apology'. Pope Honoriu s 111, who officially
approved the Order, told St. Dominic that he was 'convinced that the brothers of the Order will be
champions of the Faith and true lights of the world'.

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The Motto of the Order: Contemplari et Contemplata Aliis Tradere

The work of preaching to be efficient and effective requires the one to possess an
:--.:
in-depth of the Truth he is to preach. The reality of the Ultimate Truth, who is
God, the liberating power of that truth, and the embodiment of the truth in the
person of Jesus Christ give the Dominicans a deep cause for contemplation.
Hence the motto, Contemplare et contemplata aliis tradere - "to contemplate
and to give to others the fruits of what was contemplated." This signifies the
movements that mark the Dominican life: the Holy Spirit fills the friar's heart in
prayer, impels him outward to share those gifts with others, then calls him
inward to be filled anew. The Dominican contemplative is one who sees all
things as lit from within by the light of Christ, and who longs to make that inner
light known to all.

This motto, indeed, encapsulates the unique Dominican vocation and spells out the process of
living out that vocation - prayer comes before and sustains action. There is balance of prayer, study
and preaching in the Dominican life, as St Dominic specifies that at all times, a Dominican must always
either "speaking to God or speaking about God". "Since human effort can achieve nothing without the
help of God, the most important thing of all for the preacher is that he should have recourse to prayer."
Thus, without study, prayer, and meditation, the preacher has nothing to offer.
II

Dominican contemplation, a prayerful study of the Truth, to possess it, does not stop in the
mere acquisition of the Truth, but rather, because that Truth is intended for all, for it is salvific, must
be shared through the preaching ministry. The Truth of God must compel us to share it to everyone.

The Four Pillars of Dominican Life

The life of the Dominican is so designed that not only it prepares them in their preaching ministry,
it also enriches their spiritual life as holy men and women of God. The Domini 0an Spirituality is
concretized in the four (4) pillars in which Dominican life is divided; yet the life of a Dominican is not
divided at all. All four of these areas must be lived in a faithful and rich way in order for the Holy
Preaching to be accomplished. Living a balanced life helps them do the work their founder Dominic
and the Church have asked them to do: preach Jesus Christ.

(1) Prayer

Dominicans center their lives on Jesus Christ, the true

light, and are moved by the Holy Spirit who radiates God's
healing presence in the world today. They celebrate the
Word in daily common prayer, meditation, study, and in the
proclamation that is preaching. In imitation of the Mother of
God, who pondered these things in her heart, their lives are
nourished by God's Word as spoken in Sacred Scripture, celebrated in the Eucharist, and encountered
in everyday life.
According to the desire of St. Dominic, the solemn and common celebration of the liturgy must be

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maintained among the principal duties of their vocation. In the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist, the
mystery of salvation is present and at work, a mystery in which they share and which they
contemplate and proclaim in preaching to others so they may be incorporated into Christ through
the sacraments of faith. In the liturgy, together with Christ, we glorify God for the eternal plan of the
Divine and for the wonderful order of grace. We intercede with the Father of mercies for the entire
Church as well as for the needs and the salvation of the whole world. Therefore, the celebration of
the liturgy is the center and heart of our whole life, whose unity especially is rooted in it.

(2) Community

Dominicans live together in large and small communities. The basic idea of community is not just
people living together under one roof. Rather, community living is about the willingness to share their
lives with one another. For Dominicans, the communal
dimension of religious life challenges them to be of "one
mind and one heart in God." Profession into the Order of
Preachers includes the promise to hold all things in
common. They live together and pray together and share a
common vision in the ministry of Preaching. Dominican
community is not a mere means to preaching, but rather it
is the very source of the authenticity of preaching.

Dominican community is truly a Christian community

whose unity is founded in human relationships transformed by faith, hope, and sacrificial love.
Himself must be the center and His Spirit the binding soul of the community.

(3) Study

St. Dominic made study an essential part of the "Sacred

Preaching." It is his most unique contribution to the
development of Christian spirituality - that the study of the
 Word of God is not merely an aid to prayer, but is itself an act
of worship which sanctifies us. The primary object of study is
the Word of God, which comes to us through Scripture &
Tradition, is interpreted authoritatively by the Church's
Magisterium, and whose fullest manifestation is the very
Person of Christ Himself.
I l l /f l I

The purpose of Dominican study is to make us useful to the souls of our neighbors. As distinct from
mere curiosity, it is a spiritual work of mercy aimed at facilitating a more effective communication of
the truth that saves. While knowledge can certainly be sought for its own sake, study is all the more
noble and virtuous when one is motivated by the dual commanci of love of God and love of neighbor.

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:..
/
0 /_,,,,-_,, (4) Preaching

As the "O.P." after the name suggests, preaching is at the heart

of Dominican life. In fact, Dominicans were founded to be
"useful to the souls of others," and make themselves useful
primarily through their ministry to the Word of God. Their
common life, study and prayer are all geared to support the
vocation of a preacher. For the Dominicans preaching takes
many forms. They preach from the pulpit during liturgy and at
retreats, but they also consider teaching and various kinds of
pastoral care to be ways in which they bring the healing Word
of God to bear on the lives of those they serve. Their preaching
ministry takes them to parishes, university campuses, retreat centers and sometimes even to food
pantries, shelters for the homeless and other places where people are impoverished literally as well as
spiritually.

The Three-Fold Mission of the Order: Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare

During the first fifty years of the Order of Preacher since its foundation, the Domini csans
developed a a medieval liturgy which contains the words: Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare (to Qraise,
to bless, to preach) that eventually became one of the three motto of the Dominican Order and also
considered as the Three-fold Mission of the Order. The friars prayed the following words in the Preface
of Masses celebrated in honor the the Virgin Mary, as shown for the Feast of the Assumption below:
 Vere dignum et justum est, aequum salutare: Nos tibi semper et ubique gratias
agere, Domine, sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus. Et te in Assumptione beatae
Maria semper Virginis exultantibus animis *** laudare, benedicere, et praedicare ***... (It
is truly right and just, fitting and saving, to thanks to you always and everwhere, Holy Lord,
almighty Father, eternal God; and that on this festival of Blessed Mary we praise, bless,
and preach you with exultant spirits...)

This Three-fold Mission of the Order, is not just an incidental part of a liturgical prayer, but, flowing
from the core of Dominican Spirituality, it is essentially and harmoniously linked to the other mottos of
the Order: Veritas, and Contemplare et Contemplata Aliis Tradere. It reflects the dynamics and balance
of Dominican Life. The search for Truth must lead to the Supreme and Ultimate Truth - God - who is to
be praised, blessed and preached. St. Dominic set an example to always speak to God through
praising and blessing, and to always speak about God through preaching. These three-fold mission is a
constant reminder that God is the primary focus of prayer, speech, and preaching. These words also
emphasizes the ideals of a contemplative life that St. Dominic designed. He wanted that the Order's
preaching mission must flow from the richness of the friars' prayer and contemplative life's as his life
had been the exemplar. Hence, as part of the regular life of the friar, the friars have their daily
communal celebration of the liturgy, and personal spiritual enrichment.

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 Office of Religious Affairs
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CENTER FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
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Let's find out how much you have learned about this topic. Think and give t I.L'l::..:IJ1,J;II

swers to the questions by encircling the best answer from each question.
::_
2. What was the goal of St. Dominic's desire for his followers to search the Truth through prayerful
study and contemplation of the Word of God?
a. To praise, bless and preach d. Sharing the fruits of contemplation
b. To administer the Sacraments e. Salvation of the souls of others
c. Education people through preaching

3. Which of the following is the favorite books of the bible of St. Dominic which he carries with him
wherever he went?
a. Gospel of Luke c. Gospel of Mark e. Gospel of Matthew
b. Catholic d. Letter of St. John
Epistles

4. When St. Dominic died, what particular Church feast is being celebrated?
a. Veneration of the Cross c. Transfiguration e. Sacred Heart
b. Pentecost d. Corpus Christi

5. What already existing religious rule was adopted by St. Dominic and his men to be the rule of the
Order?
a. Rule of St. Francis c. Constitutions of Premontre e. Rule of St. Benedict
b. Cistersian Rule d. Rule of St. Augustine

6. What was the vision of Joan of Aza, Dominic's mother, before she conceived him??
a. A star on Dominic's forehead d. A dog with a burning torch in its mouth
b. A bleeding wound on his hands and feet e. A cross with flaming cro
c. A moon on Dominic's forehead

7. Which of the following is TRUE about St. Dominic de Guzman?

a. He was the co-founder of the Order of Friars Minor, being a friend of St. Francis.
b. He was known for his encounter with the protestants.
c. He was a son of a royal family, his father being the duke of old Castile.
d. He was educated in his early age under the tutelage of his uncle priest.
e. He was made an assistant bishop to Diego of Osma.
8. Which of the following is the CORE Value of the Order of Preachers?
 a. Caritas - Charity c. Ora - Prayer e. Fides - Faith
b. Contemplatio - d. Veritas - Truth
Contemplation

9. What was the reason why the heretic leaders are more efficient preachers than some of the
Catholic monks and bishops?
a. Because the Catholic monks and bishops were very old and
weak
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b. Because the heretic leaders were austere and lived in apostolic
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simplicity
c. Because the heretic leaders were formerly philosophers and
academicians

_h_··.;......,C-I :: : :::te: :r s e i wn

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.: = _,Office of Religious Affairs
: CENTER
..... FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Which of the following is NOT a Pillar of Dominican Spirituality? ----

a. Prayer c. Apostolate e. Penance
b. Community d. Study
10. Which of the following is the Three-Fold Mission of the Dominicans? ::-

>
a. Contemplare, Benedicere, Praedicare d. Laudare, Contemplare, Benedicere
b. Laudare. Benedicere, Contemplare e. Contemplare, Praedicare, Caritate
c. Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare

l.i Closure "

How do you rate yourself on this topic? Check one box for each row depending on your
assessment. \
"'
\
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Learning D

I
Skills

I Well, more
Easy, examples
I please
I get it
1. I can EXPLAIN the reason for existence of the
Order of Preachers, and historical context that
shaped it.

2. I can IDENTIFY concrete reasons why

the Dominicans remain to be relevant in
today's society.

3. I can JUSTIFY the relationship and dynamics

-- - - - - -
of Dominican Values of Truth and Charity (Love).

4. I can DISCUSS the dynamics of the Pillars of

Dominican Spirituality and the Three-fold Mission

i
of the Order.
 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
May God the Father bless us.
May God the Son heal us.
May God the Holy Spirit enlighten us,
and give us
eyes to see with,
ears to hear
with,
hands to do the work of God with,
feet to walk with,
a mouth to preach the word of salvation with,
and the angel of peace to watch over us and lead us at last, by our Lord’s gift,
to the Kingdom.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.