TRUMBULL—A new affiliation of the Lay Dominicans of St. Dominic (Third Order) has found a home in Fairfield County at St. Theresa’s Church in Trumbull. The new affiliation formed one year ago and has been thriving since then. The affiliation has been named: “Our Lady of Fatima,” and is currently under the St. Mary’s, New Haven chapter for its spiritual guidance.
Members of the Lay Dominicans are lay men and women who are fully incorporated members of the Order of Preachers, but live out their Dominican vocation in the world. The newly formed affiliation has nine newly received members and one member entering his final profession phase. On Thursday April 11 and Thursday May 16, the members of the newly formed affiliation went through their Rite of Reception into the Lay Dominican Order. The Rite of Reception was a beautiful ceremony, led by the Lay Dominican region president Kathy Kendrek, immediately following a Mass offered by St. Theresa Church pastor, Father Brian Gannon.
The life of a Lay Dominican is based on the Dominican four pillars: prayer, study, community and apostolate. A daily life of prayer revolves around the liturgy, both daily Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office), which helps to sanctify the entire day. The Liturgy of the Hours is the prayer that all the Church’s religious pray daily, in union together. Study is a life-long endeavor for Dominicans as well. Scripture study, the study of Dominican Saints and the Dominican Rule, as well as the study of Catholic teaching, are central to Dominican life and assist in their charge to “Go out to the world and proclaim the Good News to all creation.” Lay Dominicans come together a minimum of one time a month with their chapter, for prayer and study. This is key to the spiritual life of each member and apostolate— each affiliation or chapter discerns a community apostolate to serve the body of Christ and to further His evangelical mission. Lay Dominicans are called to do apostolate with those whom we come in contact with in their daily lives.
Some of the notable Dominicans are: St. Thomas Aquinas, Pope St. Pius V, St. Vincent Ferrer and some Lay Dominicans are: St. Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church; Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati and Bl. Margaret of Castello.
There will be an Open House on Thursday, August 26, from 7-8 pm at St. Theresa School Gym. There you will be able to obtain additional information about becoming a Lay Dominican.
(For more information, call, text or email: Michelle Rowe: orapronobis20@gmail.com or email at: 203.218.6882, Michael Miller at: Michaelmiller_910@hotmail.com or 203.526.7655 or Joan Cuomo at: richardcuomo939@comcast.net or 203.215.0438.)
By Mr. Michael Miller, OP
