What's It Like?

So far, there have been many moments where I’ve had the opportunity to talk about religious life during the quarantine. Prior to the quarantine, I would travel to various parts of the southern United States visiting campus ministries, parishes, young adult groups and going to various events to promote religious life as a Dominican friar. I am still meeting with men that are interested in learning more, but these meetings have moved to video chats or phone calls or emails. Some have even written letters (you know who you are). One of the common questions I get is what is my life like in quarantine.

In the Dominican Province of Saint Martin de Porres, the Vocation Director is a full-time assignment. I am not a Pastor or Parochial Vicar nor assigned to a Parish or Campus Ministry, although I do help out as needed. Most of us know about priests, specifically diocesan priests and what they do, but what about religious priests and brothers - men living in religious communities.

Each religious house, convent, or priory will be different depending on the assignments of the men that live there. Some communities that have made the news recently are the Cistercian Monks in Irving, Texas, and the Dominican Friars serving in New York City. At Saint Anthony of Padua Priory in New Orleans, where I currently live, our community life is essentially the same. We pray together the liturgy of the hours, celebrate Mass (currently live-streamed), have meals together, and hold community meetings. (The Priory Chapel is pictured above before a Mass in the evening.) Our community life is a witness and a way of life.

What has changed is how our ministries operate. Our brothers who are professors have been teaching online, those who are assigned to the parish work to bring Christ to the people as best they can, those who are campus ministers connect with their students through video conferencing and social media. For the community, we have brothers assigned to do the shopping and other tasks around the house. This same thing is happening in Dominican communities around the world. At the beginning and end of each day though, we all come together to pray and eat. This is unchanged. Shared community life is an integral part of our consecrated life together. In professing the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and living within community, we witness to a life of communion with Christ, the Church, and one another.
 

Take the next step in your discernment. Contact Fr. Francis, O.P. for more information or with questions.