Becoming a Friar

Welcome!
Thank you for visiting our site and for discerning God's call in your life. I hope that this site and resources are helpful to you.

First some basic criteria: applicants must be between the ages of 20-40. Men desiring to enter must have a bachelor's degree in any field at the time of admission and be capable of graduate-level academic study. If you are currently in college or younger, we can begin talking and discerning together if Jesus is calling you to be a Dominican Friar (priest or brother). Men must be free of personal (non-educational) financial debt, be in good mental and physical health, and possess emotional maturity.

Candidates must be living a virtuous Christian life, free from scandal. They must possess the discipline of a sound prayer life along with a deep desire to be of service to Jesus Christ and His Church.

After reading the information below, contact the Director of Vocations, Fr. Francis Orozco, O.P.

The suggestions below will help in your discernment and ultimately help you grow in virtue and in your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Attend a Come & See Weekend

Your time at the Come & See weekend at St. Dominic Priory and Studium will give you the chance to enter into the daily schedule and rhythm of a Dominican priory,  to grow in your knowledge of the history and tradition of St. Dominic and the Order of Preachers, opportunities to meet and talk with the friars, both priests and student brothers, and the time to grow closer to our Lord in the Mass, the Divine Office, and adoration.

(click here for more information about the Come & See Weekend)

Get to Know Us

In addition to attending a Come & See Weekend, aspirants are encouraged to visit other priories and communities in the Province of St. Martin de Porres through the Director of Vocations. It is very important that you begin to get a sense of who we are and what we do throughout our Province to best discern if our Lord is calling you to a life in the Dominican Province of St. Martin de Porres.

Grow in Prayer and in Your Spiritual Life

• In addition to Sunday Mass, attend Daily Mass
• Frequent the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a month
• Begin spiritual direction with a priest, preferably a Dominican priest if possible
• Develop a regular schedule of daily prayer
  • The Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office), especially Lauds (Morning Prayer) and Vespers (Evening Prayer)
  • Pray the Rosary daily
  • Scripture (Bible) reading which could include Lectio Divina
  • Spiritual reading (click here for some suggested reading)
  • Eucharistic adoration
• Strengthen your spiritual life by joining one of the Confraternities below:
  • The Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary
  • The Angelic Warfare Confraternity

 
A man discerning a call to Dominican life conducts himself in such a way that is becoming of one aspiring to religious life.

• If you’re in college, be involved in the campus ministry and the liturgical life on your campus.
• If you’re out of college, register at a parish, contribute to the collection, and volunteer in the parish community.
• Prudently moderate your use of the internet, television, etc.
• Practice a healthy pattern of living: good diet, regular exercise, proper hygiene, etc.

Debt

It is the policy of the Province of St. Martin de Porres not to admit men with any personal financial debt. Educational debt is reviewed on a case by case basis. Particular circumstances need to be discussed with the Director of Vocations.


There are a number of organizations dedicated to helping relieve the debt of men and women applying to the priesthood and religious life. Both The Laboure Society and The Mater Eccelsiae Fund for Vocations have helped men pay off their debt and enter the novitiate.

Stay Connected

Get in touch with the Director of Vocations, Fr. Francis Orozco, O.P.
Get in touch with the Province of St. Martin de Porres' Vocations Office