When a small group of parishioners, drawn together by a devotion to St. Dominic, began a lay Dominican affiliate at St. Theresa Church in Trumbull in 2018, they could only hope that it would flourish. Now, more than five years later, that small group has become Our Lady of Fatima Affiliate under the St. Mary’s chapter in New Haven. Twenty members strong, it is currently involved in the canonical process of becoming its own chapter.
Eager to attract more of the faithful to a deeper understanding of Dominican spirituality, the group held their annual Inquiry Meeting and Open House on Thursday evening, September 14 in the St. Theresa School gym. Those interested had the chance to speak with some of the lay men and women as well as their religious assistant Fr. Brian Gannon and hear firsthand narratives of the Dominican mission and way of life.
“We are lay people living in the world and supporting the priests and nuns,” formation director Michelle Rowe said in her opening. “We’re a very supportive group who love to pray and study. Come and see what we’re about.”
Rooted in over 800 years of Dominican spirituality, this affiliate has seven fully professed members who have completed five and a half years of formation. Some, like vice president Ginny Silva, said they were looking to find a place of truth and authority, one which was missing in their secular life. What they found is a vocation comprised of four pillars – prayer, study, community, and apostolate.
These essential standards, said President Dave Andreotta, include praying the Liturgy of the Hours and Lectio Divina, among others, and studying the Word of God revealed through Scripture. “As a lay community,” he added, “we come together as a loyal fraternity which
strengthens the support we give to and receive from each other.” Through the apostolate, they serve others for Christ and the salvation of souls.
“We are teachers of the faith,” said Sheelah Brown who leads the group’s novice formation. “If you’re curious about following St. Dominic, you might want to consider the lay Dominicans.”
The Our Lady of Fatima Affiliate meets the third Thursday of each month for prayer and study, creating what Rowe calls “a very inviting and homey” atmosphere which welcomes visitors to further Christ’s evangelical mission and pray for priestly vocations. During the yearly inquiry sessions, a theological reflection traditionally follows the Open House. This year’s topic, presented by Fr. Gannon, was entitled “What Is True Conscience?”
Describing conscience as knowledge and action, Fr. Gannon shared doctrine from the Catechism of the Catholic Church which says, “conscience is a judgment of reason whereby the human person recognizes the moral quality of a concrete act that he is going to perform, is in the process of performing, or has already completed.” It is essential, he said, to apply that conscience and God’s teaching to our lives, for if we subscribe to God’s love, then we will realize our full potential.
“When we’re flying a plane, we rely on gauges,” he told the audience. “Our conscience is our inner gauge. It enables us to take responsibility for our actions. We are responsible for good and evil.”
“A well-formed conscience is what brings out the best in the human person and should help us better ourselves,” Fr. Gannon continued. “It encourages an inner dialogue – not with ourselves but with God.”
Many elements combine to form a true conscience, he said, including understanding church teaching, a knowledge of Christian life, and a personal examination of one’s own
conscience. Also important are daily prayer and the sacraments, which Fr. Gannon said bring us to a deeper relationship with God. “Conversations with God can always have a profound effect on our conscience,” he said.
Having a true and moral conscience leads to a greater spiritual life for those living in secular society and connects seamlessly to the life of a lay Dominican. Rowe said, “This is such an important topic and one so telling for what’s going on the world today.”
Anyone interested in learning more about the lay Dominicans and Our Lady of Fatima affiliate, please contact formation director Michelle Rowe at orapronobis20@gmail.com. “We have an open door,” she said. “Come visit our community.”
