| Winter 2000 | Volume 42, 3 |
SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST:
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History of "The Sacred Preaching "
Franciscan International/Dominican UN. Delegation to Human Rights Commission
Laity participation in Dominican Family General Assembly, Manila
Dominican calendar opens Jubilee 2000
Master of the Order writes a new book
"But You, Who Do People Say That You Are? "
From the Promoter's Pen
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Current General and Provincial Chapters of the Order have recalled and renewed the
vocation of Dominican men and women as communities of "The Sacred Preaching"
[Sacra Praedicatio]. How did Dominic and his contemporaries understand this? Fr.
M.-H. Vicaire, historian of the Order, enlightens us in his monumental study, "Saint
Dominic and His Times." (1)
Pope Innocent III, on 29 January 1204, decided on a mission of preaching by word and example against the Cathari in the south of France. Future documents made frequent mention of the preachers: 'the holy preachers,' 'our preachers,' 'the preachers of the Word of God, and ministers of His Holiness.' The Papal enterprise as a whole was called 'the Preaching' or 'the Holy Preaching.'
Their seal, however, displayed a more definite and quasi-official title 'Preaching of Jesus Christ.'
Up to April, 1207, the missionary preachers under the leadership of Cistercian Abbots -- all acted in concert. It was only after the famous intervention of Bishop Diego of Osma at the public disputation held at Montreal, that the extravagant economy of the Preaching was suddenly simplified to model that of the life of 'the poor Christ.' The number of prelates and the expense of their retinue made it difficult to move about as a body. Consequently, they were distributed over the whole of the region of Narbonne. Each Prelate was assigned to a particular area, with one or two auxiliaries, to devote themselves to disputations and preachings.
Dominic labored between Montreal and Fanjeaux, with the small hamlet of Prouille as the center of his operation. The 'converted ladies' [recently instituted as nuns], who were already located in the vicinity, rendered services to support the daily life of the small group of preachers. Documents indicate that whole series of donati -- clerics, individual freedmen, whole families of freedmen or serfs -- had attached themselves to the double convent and shared in its life and its spiritual advantages. A place of rest and recollection and a center of supplies, it served as the primitive headquarters where Dominic delivered the official letters to former heretics, who had been reconciled to the Church. It maintained a common economic base for 'the brothers and sisters' from revenues received. The name of Preaching was now transferred to this very center of operations at Prouille.
In 1215, at Toulouse, the first house of the Order was called 'The Preaching of Toulouse,' with its administration inspired by the lifestyle developed at Prouille. Dominic was called 'the humble minister of the Preaching.' In 1217, the house in Toulouse would be called 'The Preaching of the church of St. Romain.' In 1221, the bishop of the diocese referred to Dominic as the 'Master of the Preaching' (even though Dominic had already received the definite title 'Master of the Order of Friars Preachers'). Moreover, it was long to remain the custom to name the Dominican houses in the south of France 'the Preaching of the house of Prouille, of the convent of Toulouse, of Limoges.' In the early days, the Order itself was sometimes to bear the name of 'Order of the Preaching.'
Preaching, which is the public proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus, is the primary reason for our existence as a religious order. Therefore, preaching must permeate, inform, inspire, and give impetus to everything that we are and do. Our study, our prayer, our common life and every aspect of our apostolic ministry must begin from, and be directed to, our mission of preaching. Ten years ago, the friars of the Central Province first articulated a Vision Statement in which they proclaimed, "We must see ourselves, collectively and individually as the Sacred Preaching ...this is a vision that needs rebirth among us today."
Whether we are studying, teaching, writing or traveling, [etc.] and no matter what percentage of our time we may be spending in these activities, we are Preachers. And our every activity should be directed toward the supreme moment of our vocation, when we are publicly proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus.
If we see ourselves as that collective body referred to as 'The Holy Preaching,' then we can also see that not all of us can be publicly proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus as our only occupation. The Holy Preaching needs a variety of support for the Preaching: administration, theological and biblical research, all the media of communication, public relations, etc.. But in all of this, Preaching-as public proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus-must be the motivating cause, formal and final, of all that we do. (2)
Both individually and corporately, we must: 1) understand ourselves as the sacra praedicatio and embrace the discipline of the 'Community Project,' 2) more deeply appropriate [the value and virtue] of obedience, and 3) move in common directions.
We have discovered that the Sacred Preaching is not something that we do, but it is something that we are. It is our identity, and each one of our communities can truly say, "We are the Sacred Preaching." It is an identity which embraces all of life, in and out of the pulpit and in each and every one of our ministries. It is intimately connected with the 'Project' of each community. The Sacred Preaching is not a program of action or a strategic plan. Rather, it is the underlying motivation and guiding light for all of our actions and plans. Although different communities may emphasize different ministries, their '[Community] Projects' unite the individuals in a common purpose and dynamic ....The Sacred Preaching, however, is the overarching vision and ministerial context for both individuals and communities.
Now is the time to let the vision of the Sacred Preaching fully permeate all aspects of our individual, community, and provincial life, and become a source of energy and passion for all of us. (3)
Fraternally,
Fr. Thomas J. Johnston, OP
Promoter
NOTES:
(1) First published in 1957 by Les Editions du Cerf under the title Histoire de Saint
Dominique. Translated by Kathleen Pond (1964). Darton, Longman and Todd, Ltd.
Published in the USA by Alt Publishing Company. Green Bay, WI. See especially
Chapters 7 and 8.
(2) See: Acts of the XIII Provincial Chapter of the Province of Saint Albert the Great,
U.S.A. (1990), no. 26.
(3) See: Acts of the XV Provincial Chapter of the Province of Saint Albert the Great,
U.S.A. (1999), nos. 27, 28.
World Youth Day to Honor Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati's niece, Wanda Gawronska, reports that Pier Giorgio will be transferred to Rome for two months during the great Jubilee for the devotion of the pilgrims, particularly young people, and for the World Youth Day in August, 2000. He will be at the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Lucina from the date of the Eucharistic Congress in June until the completion of the Youth Meeting on August 20.
This initiative was headed by the Pontifical Council for Laity, with presider Cardinal Stafford. On July 4, Cardinal Stafford said Mass at the Cathedral of Torino, where Pier Giorgio lies, and in Pallone's parish where the Frassati family house is located.
An approved miracle is the final step before Frassati's canonization. At present, several cancer cures are being investigated, but the medical commission is very cautious because of the many new cancer treatments, reports Ms. Gawronska. His Association web site is http:/www. webcom-com/frassati/welcome.html
In Joyous Gratitude, we acknowledge the generosity of the following donors to our annual Laity Office fundraiser, in addition to those who wished to remain anonymous.
May God, who sees all, abundantly reward your kindness.
Paul F. Bisanz, Laurie Anne Biszka, Nick Capozziello, Mary Jean Cauley, Mary Ruth Cullicott, Edward and Mary Didier, Ambrose Dolan, the Dominican Sisters of the Perpetual Rosary, Evelyne Hayny, Anna D. Jarosch, Ruth M. Jubb, Sharon Kramer, Corinne F. Kruse, Helen Lauer, Peggy Lindsey, George Lorenz, Fran Maierhauser, Jen Moore, Florence Morahan, Patricia O'Connor, Mary Lee Odders, Frances Plass, Mary and Anthony Rhomberg, Gladys Rudzianski, Luella Sarta, Marymargaret Sauer, Steve Smith, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Starshak, James L Steffens, Virginia Vipond, William J. Watson, Raymund Williams, and thirteen anonymous contributors.
Funds will be used to pay a part-time secretary and to purchase a new computer. If you missed the first opportunity, but would still like to contribute to our Laity Office fundraiser, please make your check payable to Dominican Laity and mail it to: Dominican Laity Office, 7200 West Division Street, River Forest, IL 60305-1222
FRANCISCAN INTERNATIONAL/DOMINICAN U.N. DELEGATION
Fr. Phillippe LeBlanc, OP reports in the October, 1999 issue of the IDI that "our delegation consisted of forty persons and we made seven oral interventions at the [1999 U.N. ] Commission [on Human Rights], one written communication, four joint written statements and three joint oral statements. We organized or co-sponsored public meetings at the Commission on the situation in Colombia and Mexico, on human rights and the foreign debt and on human rights defenders in Colombia."
The FI/OP Geneva Office has a web site http:/www.fiop.org which provides information and access to documents and statements made by FI/OP at the UN Commission on Human Rights.
HAPPENINGS AROUND THE CHAPTERS
ALBUQUERQUE, NM NUESTRA SENORA DE LAS MONTANAS- Fr. Edward Ruane, OP, Provincial visited the group. The November study was
"Dominican Spirituality." The Rule and the life of St. Thomas Aquinas will be the
twofold December study.
- BAY CITY, MI BL. JOHN DOMINICI CHAPTER
- CHICAGO, IL ST. PIUS V PROCHAPTER
- Final Professions: Josephine Folvarsky and Joan Reid on December 12, 1999
Deceased: Moderator Frances Krizka's 3-week old grandchild - DENVER, CO ST. DOMINIC CHAPTER
- In November, Steve Smith presented the concluding study of Psalms 2000. Dolly
Suazo will investigate Maria Harris' Proclaim Jubilee! as the possible next study.
- DUBUQUE, IA ST. ROSE OF LIMA CHAPTER
- Fr. Joseph Fogarty, OP gave the Oct. 2 and 3 retreat on Pope John Paul's 11's prayer in
preparation for the year 2000. Six Laity members from Rockford, IL joined the retreat.
The study for 2000 is Mysticism and Prophecy by Richard Woods, OP
- FARMINGTON HILLS, MI BLESSED SACRAMENT CHAPTER
- Reception: Cortney Robinson on November 14, 1999
First Profession: Ed Kolodziej on December 12, 1999
Sick: Marie Gannon
Deceased: Barbara Aim Norton on October 18, 1999Nine members assisted the Sisters during their Oct, 3 Open House. Terry McSweeney led the October study/discussion on the Psalms and the Bible, and the November study of the Psalms from Christians in Jewish Territory, concluding with a review of the primary commitment of Dominican Laity life from the Rule book . D. McDermit sent the group his mother, Georgina's, crucifix in her memory. In December, Ruth Kummer was elected Provincial Council Delegate.
- GRAND RAPIDS, MI ROSARY CHAPTER
- Deceased: Sr. Lisa Marie Lazio's mother
- MILWAUKEE, WI QUEEN OF THE ROSARY CHAPTER
- Sick: Joe Gates' sister-in-law, Mary Jean ; wnd Bernice Strasser
Four visitors joined the group's three-part videotape study, "The Mystery of God." - MINNEAPOLIS, MN HOLY ROSARY CHAPTER
- The October study was Chapter 1 of Pope John Paul II's Reflections on God the Father.
- RIVER FOREST, IL ST. VINCENT FERRER CHAPTER
- Receptions: Lois and Virgil Kolb on September 26, 1999
Sick: Bill Hureau - ROCKFORD, IL ST. PETER MARTYR CHAPTER
- ST. LOUIS, MO QUEEN OF THE ROSARY CHAPTER
- SPRINGFIELD, MO OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART CHAPTER
- Sick: Candy Randolph's father-in-law
- OUR PRIVATE MEMBERS
- Deceased: Ruth Lewis' father, Morgan Lewis, Springfield, IL; Patricia Anne Stapleton's mother, Nora Mary Stapleton, Worth, IL
PRAYERS REQUESTED FOR:
the repose of the soul of Fr. Paul Ryan, OP, frequent retreat master for the Minneapolis
chapter a return to health for Bro. Regis Hovald, OP, Fr. Richard Trutter, OP, and Bro.
Carlos Griego, OP a spiritual renewal for Fr. Tom Johnston, OP, Dominican Laity
Promoter during his sabbatical an increase in vocations to the priesthood and the
religious life an increase in Dominican Laity membership a return to health for Anne
Kelly's husband, Chris the repose of the soul of Patricia Zavadil's mother-in-law,
Elizabeth Zavadil good health for Jackie Nee's daughter, Linda, who has a high-risk
pregnancy
In Loving Memory of Lydia Kolkoff (nee Ellington)
Evelyn Kelly, secretary of the Minneapolis Holy Rosary Chapter, writes that the Ellingtons moved to Minneapolis from Oklahoma. Although Protestant, they chose to enroll Lydia in Holy Rosary School, rather than in public school. Minneapolis Chapter moderator, Ed McDermott, recalls that Lydia would remain in the classroom while her Catholic classmates were excused to attend Benediction at 3:00 p.m. Friday afternoons. She later became a convert.
Lydia was received as a Dominican tertiary on October 25, 1959 and was professed on November 27, 1960. She was married to Robert Kolhoff, also a Dominican tertiary, for nearly 60 years. In her chapter, she was cantor, librarian, formation mentor, and moderator. With the merger of the two Minneapolis chapters, she stepped down as moderator to become vice moderator. She was active in the Altar and Rosary Society at Holy Rosary Church and was a rosary maker for St. Helena's Church, having a deep devotion to Our Lady and to the rosary. The way Lydia faced her illness and accepted her death made a lasting impression and inspired our chapter.
Requesting collaboration of the 17 cloistered Dominican Monasteries of Nuns in the USA, our Dominican Master General, Fr. Timothy Radcliff OP, in July, 1997, asked that a new, English-speaking monastery be founded in western Canada. Although Fr. Radcliff requested that Sr. Mary Thomas and the Farmington Hills Monastery sponsor the foundation, all monasteries have contributed personnel, prayer, financial support and enthusiasm for the project.
Sr. Miriam of Lufldn, TX, appointed as the first Vicaress in Vancouver for a term of one year, is joined by Sr. Maria Dominica, Menlo Park, GA; Sr. Mary Angela, Los Angeles, CA; Sr. Mary of the Sacred Heart and Sr. Mary Regina, Farmington Hills, MI. Forming community and awaiting finalization of arrangements with Archbishop Adam Exner, they are guests of the nuns of Corpus Christi Monastery , Menlo Park, CA. It is their hope to be open by the end of 1999.
A NEW BOOK BY THE MASTER OF THE ORDER
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Sing a New Song: The Christian Vocation by Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, OP is a newly
published, 304-page volume being hailed as "offering rich insights on the religious life,
but also on the apostolic calling of all believers" and "a fresh voice, strong and vibrant,
penetrating vision and forceful imagery..." It includes the essays and texts of all the
Master's major Letters to the Order.
To obtain your copy for $15.95 plus $2 shipping/handling per book, please send your name and address to: Templegate Publishers, 302 East Adams Street, Springfield, IL 62701 or phone toll free at 1-800-367-4844. Fax: 217-522-3362. E-mail: wisdom@templegate.com |
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In Loving Memory of Barbara Ann Norton
A member of the Farmington Hill's Blessed Sacrament Chapter, Barbara Ann Norton died on October 18, 1999. Elizabeth Walker writes, "For anyone who truly knew Barbara, knew how Jesus loved her so much. Barbara had been asked just 25 years prior by Gladys Touchton, to become a victim soul, too. She gladly said yes...In her bed of pain, Barbara would say, 'All for the greater glory of God.' Almost entirely bedridden, Barbara suffered physically and emotionally every day of her life. Riley, her beloved husband and George, her devoted son, helped Barbara through the dayto-day tortures of her life from changing bandages to buying new plants or flowers to plant for bloom in the Spring."
"She touched the lives of many people ...She was an evangelizer, which probably began when she joined the Constant Vigil of Prayer Group with Betty Kell, where they would recruit parishioners to pray an extra hour a week for the Lord."
PROFESSION DAY, 1999 EXCERPTED HOMILY IN OUTLINE
By Dennis Reilly, OP, Salt Lake City
Reprinted with permission from Christ in the World! Vol. 11, Issue 2
I. The Jews have an expression: it would have been enough...
it would have been enough for Yahweh to bless Abraham, but God made a covenant
with him and his descendants;
it would have been enough for Yahweh to lead His people out of Egypt, but He led
them into the Promised Land as well;
it would have been enough for God to invite us to Heaven, but He sent His Son to be
the Light that shows us the way.
II. Look at all the hours and energy that you put into your work, raising a family, trying
to be a good neighbor...
yet most of us don't spend all that much time in considering who we really are:
who are we, without our masks?
who are we, without our self-serving press releases?
who are we, without our defenses?
How do I know who I am, or if I'm real?
each day we are becoming someone new,
but who is it that we are becoming?
It would have been enough for you to wrestle with issues of authenticity, but you chose
to attach yourselves to an Order that has as its motto: truth.
By making profession, for life or for a set number of years, you are committing
yourself to a continuing and public search for the real you,
the "you" God has intended you to be.
Yesterday you heard Jesus ask His followers: but you, who do you say that I am? I
recently heard Fr. Bart Hutcherson reverse this question, and I would like to do the
same: BUT YOU, WHO DO PEOPLE SAY THAT YOU ARE?
a faithful spouse
a loving parent
a compassionate neighbor
a faithful son or daughter
III. Jesus tells us to be a light of the world; quite a compliment since HE IS THE
LIGHT OF THE WORLD -- BUT NO ONE LIGHTS HIM OR HERSELF. JESUS IS
THE ONE WHO LIGHTS US.
There are three qualities of light:
A. First and foremost, a light is meant to be seen. There's no such thing as a secret
disciple; secrecy destroys discipleship.
Every Dominican is called to be a storyteller. Jesus is the story, and your faith journey
is the story, and how Jesus enters into all of our lives is the story. As you make your
profession, the Church and the Order are commissioning you to go forth and to
proclaim this GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD.
Just remember that a good storyteller never forgets the theme or point of the story. We
are seen at home, work, neighborhood, by family, friends, strangers... BUT YOU,
WHO DO PEOPLE SAY THAT YOU ARE?
B. Light is a guide
As a street light is a guide, we are to make the way clear to others.
Grace takes the most ordinary people and allows them to do the most extraordinary
things...
Dominicans are called to be dreamers:
dream of a world in which everyone is fed, clothed, cared for;
dream of a world in which everyone is free to grow and be themselves;
dream of a world where nations live as in community.
Dominicans are called to marry these dreams and thus vow to make them real ... BUT
YOU, WHO DO PEOPLE SAY THAT YOU ARE?
C. Finally, light is a warning ...like a train signal: it tells us to halt, that danger is
ahead-but this warning must always be done with love.
Society emphasizes externals: you are called to talk of prayer and the interior life from
the depth of your own experience.
Society wants you to be caught up with an abundance of activity, even within your
Church ministries; but you must come to understand that at times you are called to
simply be still...
Society would have you believe that the practical tasks of the day are all that you are
called to do, but you are a homing pigeon whom Jesus has carefully lifted up in order
for you to fly home to the Father, knowing that the higher you fly, the more that you
can see.
You are challenged to take a stand; what if no one says, 'No, that is wrong.'? It is the
focused, who point the way to Jesus ...BUT YOU, WHO DO PEOPLE SAY THAT
YOU ARE?
IV. Today is the feast of St. Rose of Lima, the very first Canonized saint of the New
World. Like Catherine, who was her model, Rose lived at home as a Third Order
Dominican. She tended her family's garden and embroidered lace work so as to help
her family financially. She set up a room in her parents' home, where she cared for the
homeless children, the elderly and the sick. This Dominican hermit began the first
social services of Peru. Rose died at 31, and the city leaders took turns carrying her to
her resting place.
V. It would have been enough if you continued as good Christians in your home and
workplace:
it would have been enough
but today you are asking to do more.
In life we are constantly being told that we have to be realistic; that we can't give what
we do not have-and yet this is exactly what you are promising to do today.
With God's help, you are promising to give your incomplete faith, incomplete love,
incomplete hope.
God, and the Order, knows that you're no Dominic, Catherine, Rose...
God, and the Order, doesn't care. But you will be sent out with an empty basket and
expected to fill it with acts of compassion, forgiveness and trust in the mercy of God.
At times, You will fail.
God, and the Order, doesn't care. All God, and the Order, wants you to do is to give it
your best ...God, the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit will do the rest.
DOMINICAN LITURGICAL CALENDAR JANUARY - APRIL
New Voices for the Millennium:
The Dominican Family in Mission Together
With the goal of invigorating the Dominican Family in its mission, the General Assembly of the Dominican Family will take place in Manila, October 25-30, 2000. Four Dominican Laity delegates from the U.S.A. will be selected to be among the Assembly's 150 participants.
"At no period of our long history has there been such an intense awareness of the diversity of forms and styles of Dominican life, and at the same time, of our fundamental unity. We see also new modes of collaboration being developed among lay Dominicans, sisters, nuns, and friars. In many places around the world, we have discovered this: each of us is gifted, but not all in the same way, and ft is only when we collaborate with our Dominican brothers and sisters that our common mission is more fully realized," said Fr. Jerry Stookey, OP, Promoter General of the Dominican Laity and member of the International Organizing Committee 2000.
He continued, "We cordially invite you to commit yourself from October, 1999 until October, 2000 to a year that we will call New Voices for the Millennium: The Dominican Family in Mission Together...Our desire is that in the course of this year we may advance in mutual understanding, in common prayer and study, and in forms of collaboration which will extend further our Dominican mission. Following in the footsteps of Saint Dominic, we will thus be more able to proclaim the Gospel to the people of our time."
(99/184) As we observe this Dominican Family year, one might ask how many members are in the Dominican Family and where are they? The following statistics, taken from the reports at the friars' General Chapter in Bologna, 1998, help answer those question. How many New Voices for the Millennium will the Dominicans be? And exactly where will be as Dominican Family in Mission Together?
(Fr. Jerry Stookey OP, Promoter General for the Dominican Laity)
| NUNS | SISTERS | LAY | FRIARS | TOTAL | |
| AFRICA | 121 | 1,501 | 105 | 231 | 1,958 |
| ASIA/PACIFIC | 175 | 3,690 | 54,490 | 823 | 59,178 |
| EUROPE | 2,029 | 13,005 | 10,661 | 3,591 | 29,286 |
| LATIN AMERICA &
CARIBBEAN |
809 | 6,218 | 4,735 | 809 | 12,571 |
| USA & CANADA | 368 | 7,872 | 4,394 | 1,056 | 13,690 |
| TOTAL | 3,502 | 32,286 | 74,385 | 6,510 | 116,683 |
| BACK |
Mary Lee Odders OP Editor
P O Box 85451
Racine WI 53408-5451
E-mail: mailto:oplaity@mac.domcentral.org