Lesson 3

Module Overview

• The Order of Friars Preachers (Dominicans) was founded by St. Dominic out of a love for truth and the mission to combat ignorance through preaching.

• The Dominicans remain relevant today as they were at their foundation, emphasizing the importance of truth for salvation.

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the life of St. Dominic and the beginnings of the Order of Preachers.

• Rationalize the relevance of Dominican Spirituality in today's world.

• Explain the Four Pillars of Dominican Life.

• Justify the relationship between Truth and Charity, alongside identifying some Dominican Saints.

• Manifest appreciation for prayer, truth, and the Order's motto in personal life.

Opening Prayer (Page 2)

• A prayer invoking light, wisdom, and clarity from God for understanding and articulation of thoughts, ending with a request for St. Thomas Aquinas to intercede.

Pretest (Page 3)

• A quiz to assess knowledge on the teachings of St. Dominic and the Dominican Order. Sample questions include:

  • True statements about St. Dominic.

  • Reasons for heretical preachers' efficiency.

  • Core values and pillars associated with the Dominican Order.

Reflection on Dominican Identity and Charism (Page 4)

• Understanding one's identity as part of a Dominican institution involves living according to Dominican values and answering questions about what it means to be a Dominican and the charism involved.

• Activity: "FACTS or FAKES" to analyze misinformation in contemporary life.

Importance of Truth (Page 5)

• Questions on the significance of truth in one's life and community, reflecting on actions concerning truthfulness historically and contemporarily.

• Activity: Caption famous Dominican members through their contributions to the Church.

St. Dominic de Guzman (Page 8)

• Born in 1170 in Spain to noble parents; known for his charity and education.

• Had a vision before birth involving a dog with a burning torch, indicating his future mission.

• Significant early education, characterized by austerity and compassion towards the poor.

• Joined and later led a reformed chapter of Canons Regular, emphasizing community life and preaching.

Foundation of the Order of Preachers (Page 10)

• Established in the early 13th century, inspired by a needs-driven mission to counter heresy and promote authentic Christian preaching.

• St. Dominic's experience in Denmark with Albigenses illustrated the necessity for a dedicated religious order focused on preaching.

• Adopted the Rule of St. Augustine to formalize the structure of the newly founded order.

Dominican Spirituality and Core Values (Page 13)

• Core Value: Veritas (Truth) is central to Dominican spirituality, embodied by the notion of preaching for salvation and the study of truth.

• Motto: Contemplari et Contemplata Aliis Tradere emphasizes the importance of contemplation in internalizing truth before sharing it.

Four Pillars of Dominican Life (Page 14-15)

• 1. Prayer: Centering lives on Jesus through prayer and Eucharist.

• 2. Community: Living in shared purpose, embodying the unity of faith.

• 3. Study: Understanding and analyzing Scripture as a form of worship.

• 4. Preaching: Engaging in various forms of preaching that serve both spiritual and physical needs of the community.

Three-Fold Mission of the Order (Page 16)

• Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare (to praise, to bless, to preach): Reflects the interconnectedness of Dominican values and actions in service to God.

Final Reflections (Page 20)

• Self-assessment ratings on understanding key components such as the mission, values, and continued relevance of the Dominican Order today.

Closing Prayer (Page 21)

• A prayer asking for blessing, healing, enlightenment, and guidance to live out the mission of salvation and truth in all aspects of life.