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August 13, 2021Last week we talked about the differences between diocesan priests and order priests. There are many different orders, but because the priests who celebrated Mass with us while Fr. Ron was on vacation belong to the Dominican and Franciscan orders, we will focus on those two this week.
DOMINICANS
The "Four Pillars" of the Dominican order are: prayer and contemplation; study; community; and preaching or ministry.
Prayer — Each friar sets aside time each day for personal prayer and contemplation based on the Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic. St. Dominic knew that the gestures of the body could powerfully dispose the soul to prayer.
Study — Student brothers spend at least five years in graduate theological studies preparing for full-time ministry. A friar’s commitment to study and his ongoing formation will continue throughout his Dominican life.
Community — The community continually shapes, supports, and challenges each friar. More than just residences, a Dominican community (priory) is a home – a place where the friar lives, prays, and recreates.
Preaching — Preaching the Word is a priority of the Dominicans and is seen as an honor and responsibility.
FRANCISCANS
The Franciscan Friars are not devoted to one ministry or one type of work. In addition to the friars (who can be priests or brothers) there are also Secular Franciscans (formerly known as the Third Order of St. Francis.) Secular Franciscans are lay people who incorporate the Franciscan way of life into their daily life.
The friars are to live in this world as promoters of justice and as messengers and agents of peace, overcoming evil and doing good. The friars shall proclaim peace by word and cherish it so deep in their hearts that no one is stirred to anger or scandal, but rather that everyone is called back to peace, meekness, and kindness through them.
Following closely in the footsteps of Saint Francis, the friars are to maintain a reverent attitude towards nature, threatened from all sides today, in such a way that they may restore it completely to its condition of brother and to its role of usefulness to all mankind for the glory of God the Creator.
