The Lay Dominican’s Obligations
Prayer…
In addition to private prayer, all Lay Dominicans pray daily the Morning (Lauds) and Evening (Vespers) Prayers from the Liturgy of the Hours, an ancient form of Christian prayer which dedicates the whole day to the Lord by reciting certain psalms and prayers at specific points throughout the day. This common form of prayer helps build our sense of community with the rest of the Order as well as the Universal Church.
The Dominican Order also has a special devotion to the Rosary, which is prayed daily. It was Saint Dominic’s Order that popularized the practice of praying the Rosary throughout Christendom. It is no coincidence that our fraternity is named for the Holy Rosary!
A sacramental life is an essential component in growing in holiness; therefore, the practices of daily Mass and monthly Confession (as far as one is able to) are also part of the Rule. On a yearly basis, there is the obligation to fast on the vigils of the Feasts of St. Dominic, St. Catherine of Siena, and Our Lady of the Rosary and to go on retreat.
Study…
All Lay Dominicans must spend a minimum of 15 minutes reading and reflecting on Sacred Scripture each day.
Additionally, in the beginning of one's journey as a Lay Dominican, about four and a half years’ worth of enriching formation modules covering Dominican spirituality, Dominican saints, and church teachings are required. After this time of formation, members continue to study church teachings of their own selection by reading the teachings of the Church Fathers, Doctors of the Church and other great saints, the writings produced by Ecumenical Councils, and other theological works which elucidate and enumerate the truths of the Catholic Faith.
The Laity also stay up to date with what is going on in the world in order to better anticipate needs that must be served by their various apostolates. Both prayer and study help us to know and love God more, preparing the Lay Dominican to be able to speak more readily about Him.
Community…
To live out the pillar of community, members wear a form of the white Dominican scapular daily beneath their clothing, attend monthly fraternity meetings, support the work of the Order, and pray regularly for the deceased members of the entire Order.
Monthly fraternity meetings offer the opportunity to pray in community (often the Rosary and part of the Liturgy of the Hours), to learn about truths of the Faith, and to get to know other members.
Another central element of community life is praying for one another. Members of Lay Dominican fraternities frequently request other members to pray for particular intentions and are assiduous in praying for the needs of others. Praying for our members is one of the ways our Order is united eternally as every member prays an Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, and Psalm 130 (De Profundis) for the deceased members daily.
Each member celebrates 3 masses a year for Dominicans, and prays the Office for the Dead yearly for all deceased parents of Dominicans, deceased friends and benefactors of Dominicans and all deceased Dominicans. And upon the death of a member of the fraternity we all pray the Rosary, say the Office of the Dead, attend the funeral Mass or participate in a Mass with the intention for the soul of the deceased. This community of both deceased and living members of the Dominican order provides a powerful network of support on the journey to holiness.
Apostolate…
Each individual Lay Dominican must serve in an apostolate in a regular capacity—for example, on a monthly or weekly basis—and all Lay Dominicans also participate in the particular communal apostolate undertaken by their fraternity.
Individual apostolates center around the spiritual and corporal works of mercy and may include volunteering to teach in religious formation classes, tending to the needy, or preaching and proclaiming the Word of God to those who do not believe or hold false beliefs, whether in-person, through writing books, or creating online content meant to glorify God and instruct His children.
Individuals may choose their apostolates based on personal interests, abilities, and the demands of their state of life. Fraternity-wide apostolates vary.
The Holy Rosary Fraternity’s particular apostolate is to assist the nuns at the Dominican Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary in Summit, New Jersey with their annual Rosary Pilgrimage event.