One of my friends (Br. James Brent, O.P.), who is a novice with the Eastern Province Dominicans, passed this along to me:


There are exciting things happening in the Dominican
Province of St. Joseph (Eastern Province of the United
States).

First, we have some great young guys entering. My Novice
class is all twenty-somethings. We all love the Pope, love
the Church's teachings, and love her devotional traditions
-- especially her Eucharistic and Marian devotions.

Second, most of the fellows entering our province already
have degrees in Philosophy, and a great many of them already
have advanced research degrees (Ph.D., M.A.) in every area
from Bio to Theo.

Third, our formation is solid. The Dominican House of
Studies in D.C. is the place to be to study theology in the
Thomistic tradition, if you think it makes sense to form a
priest by making him sit at the feet of St. Thomas Aquinas
for several years (while also engaging thinkers from the
Fathers of the Church to the Fathers of the Second Vatican
Council), then our formation makes perfect sense.

Fourth, our friars are on fire for the new evangelization.
We are assisting lots of people in finding their way into
the Church, helping out with lots of RCIA programs, Campus
Ministries, and outreach.

Fifth, the areas of our life that need rejuvenation are
being rejuvenated. Our Provincial is young, 39 years old,
and leading the way.

One anecdotal example. At the House of Studies in D.C. the
brothers decided to host a Vigil for the feast of All Saints
Day. The Vigil is complete with readings from lives of the
Saints and the Chanted Litany. The young parents of the area
so much appreciate the alternative to Halloween, that the
eventis growing out of proportion to the House itself.
Hundreds of people are now participating in the event.

In fact, plans and fundraising is underway to massively
expand both the building and the programs offered at the
House of Studies.

Go to: http://www.op-stjoseph.org/

http://www.dhs.edu

praise God!!

Dominicans rock!

We had the novices from the St. Gertrude novitiate at my church some weeks ago. What amazing men of faith! When i told them that I was looking into the Nashville Dominicans they were like "awsome, good for you!" It was nice to hear that. So, YAY for Dominicans!

I just had mass and dinner at the DHS last week. I have decided to move to DC and go to the CUA in part because of the DHS. As a former Dominican, I still love the life and would love to live close to the DHS. I love the Basilica there and there are so many other cool things. There is good reason that it is called Little Rome!
I must say though, that the quality of Dominicans varies widely in the US. The young Dominicans of the East are the class act of the country.