Spiritual LifeDominican Spirituality
Dominican spiritual life retains characteristics exemplified by St. Dominic from the beginning of the Order. We, in turn, strive to embrace and to reflect these same aspects of spirituality in our way of living and praying.
Trinitarian God-centered, our life of praise rests on the Mystery of the Holy Trinity. Baptized in the name of the one True God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we pray with the whole Church: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Liturgical Dominic found strength and joy in celebrating daily Mass and Divine Office. For Dominicans, this heritage is essential to our contemplative life. The dual anchors of Mass and Office prepare us to go forward to "teach all nations".
Eucharistic The sacramental presence of Jesus in the Eucharist lifts our minds and hearts through the reception of Holy Communion and regular adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. We begin the Liturgy of the Hours in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament with this powerful prayer written by St. Thomas Aquinas:
O Sacrum Convivium, O Sacred Banquet
In quo Christus sumitur; In which Christ is received
Recolitur memoria pasionis eius In which the memory of His passion is renewed
Mens impletur gratia: In which the soul is filled with grace
Et futurae gloriae nobis pignus datur. And a pledge of future glory is given to us.
Scriptural and Christological -- Ongoing, ever-deepening familiarity with the Word of God revealed in Sacred Scripture and the Word of God revealed in the sacred humanity of Jesus Christ impelled Dominic to preach the Truth and to inspire others to do likewise. Through this inspiration – not by any single task – we seek to live in ongoing search to know and do the will of God as Jesus did. And we seek to do this together through study, prayer, community and service.
Doctrinal Dominic insisted that members of the Order have a solid foundation in Catholic doctrine because of its commission to preach the Truth. We uphold teachings of the Church and bring a solid theological foundation to our ministry of education. We firmly believe that all truth reflects God, the First Truth.
Marian Dominic’s devotion to Mary, Mother of God, continues in our heritage, as we have been founded under the patronage of Mary, Our Lady of the Springs. We pray the Rosary daily and we conclude Night Prayer with the Salve Regina asking Mary to intercede for us and guard us always under her mantle.