Page 1 Formation Guidelines

The intent of these guidelines is to provide Topics of Instruction in Year One: a general framework for formation programs by identifying the essential elements for • Liturgical Prayer instruction. These guidelines are not intended • Loyalty to the Church to impose burdensome requirements, but • Contemplative Prayer rather to aid chapters in forming members to • Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary the Dominican way of life. and The Rosary • Devotion to St. Dominic and St. It is crucial to acknowledge that the call to the Dominican Order is a call to a vocation for • Study the purpose of sanctification of its members. • Community Life Union with and personal holiness are the • Familiarity with the Rule and Particular goals for every Dominican. Directory • History of / Dominican As followers of St. Dominic, it is important Order to instruct our newest members in the • Mission of the Order twofold aspect of the Order’s charism; the • Four Pillars: Study, Prayer, Community, contemplative life and the active life. To bear Preaching good fruit in the active life, we must first begin with the contemplative life. Accordingly, Required Materials for Year One: the greatest emphasis must be placed on developing a deep and rich contemplative life, • Holy Bible so we may thereby attain our goal in the active • Catechism of the life, which consists in the salvation of souls. • Liturgy of the Hours (4 volume set) (You may want to buy one book at a A good Dominican formation program provides time or go to iBreviary website for the detailed instruction (which can be tailored daily hours.) to the needs of each chapter), that helps us • Dominicana: A Guidebook for integrate The Rule, The Particular Directory Inquirers, Second Edition and the promises we make, into our daily by Robert Curtis, OPL lives. The guidelines presented here list the and Karen Woods, OPL standard aspects for proper formation. Also • Saint Dominic provided is a list of basic and recommended by Sister Mary Jean Dorcy, OP materials for each year. (Tan Books and Publishers) • Rule and Directory of the Lay I. YEAR ONE Dominicans (access on website)

The year of Inquiry (Postulancy), is the year in Recommended Materials for Year One: which new members seek to discern whether they are, in fact, called to Dominican life. • St. Dominic’s Family During this year, the study is centered on what by Sister MaryJean Dorcy, OP it means to be a Dominican, familiarity with • Dominican Saints by Dominican Dominican history and saints, as well as the Novices (TAN Books and Publishers) role of the Laity in the Church today. • My Way of Life pocket edition by Walter Farrell, O.P., S.T.M. and Martine J. Healy, S.T.D. Page 2 II YEAR TWO III YEAR I, II, and II Temporary Professed

During this year of Candidacy (Novitiate), Temporary profession is a promise to live the new members continue to discern their according to the Rule of the Fraternities vocations and continue to practice the daily of St. Dominic for a period of three years. obligations. They also become more involved Formation in Dominican life and spirituality in chapter life and continue to commit to the continues during this time. At the end of this Dominican life of study. The focus of study is period, the candidate and the Order decide from Jordan Aumann’s Spiritual Theology. if the candidate is prepared to make final or permanent profession. Topics of Instruction in Year Two:

• The Virtues and the Beatitudes Topics of Instruction in Year I: • The Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit • Sanctifying Grace and Actual Grace • The External and Internal Senses • Schools of Spirituality • The Intellect and the Will • The Sacraments • The Sacraments • Christ the Way, the Truth, and the Life • The Theological Virtues • The Mystical • The Moral Virtues • Mary, Mother and Mediatrix • Prayer: Vocal, Affective Meditation, Contemplative, Silence Required Materials for Year Two: • Examination of Conscience • Desire for Perfection • The Holy Bible • The Catechism of The Catholic Church Required Materials for Year I: • Liturgy of the Hours • The Rule and the Particular Directory • The Holy Bible • Spiritual Theology • The Catechism of The Catholic Church by Jordan Aumann, O.P. • Liturgy of the Hours • The Rule and the Particular Directory Recommended Materials for Year Two: • Spiritual Theology by Jordan Aumann, O.P. • Dominican Penitent Women (The Classics of Western Spirituality) • Total Consecration Topics of Instruction in Years II and III: by St. Louis DeMontfort • True Devotion to Mary • Sixteen Documents of Vatican II by St. Louis DeMontfort • Four Pillars of the Catechism of the • Dominican Spirituality, Principles and Catholic Church Practices • Precepts of the Catholic Church by Fr. William Hinnebusch, OP • Dominican Saints • Papal Encyclicals • Papal Encyclicals • Vatican II Documents • Local Parish Evangelization • Dialogue of St. Catherine of Sienna • Prayer • Devotion to Mary

Required Materials for Year Two:

• The Holy Bible • The Catechism of The Catholic Church • Liturgy of the Hours • The Rule and the Particular Directory Page 3 • Spiritual Theology IV Final Professed by Jordan Aumann, O.P. • A Concise Guide to the Documents of The Final Professed member makes a promise Vatican II by Edward P. Hahnenberg to live according to the Rule of the Fraternities • Forming Intentional Disciples: The of St. Dominic for the rest of his or her life. Path to Knowing and Following The members agree to the text(s) they will by Sherry A. Weddell study each year. • Dominican Saints by Dominican Novices Required Materials for Final Professed:

Recommended Materials for Years I, II, • The Holy Bible and III Temporary Professed: • The Catechism of The Catholic Church • Liturgy of the Hours • Vatican Council II Documents • The Rule and the Particular Directory by Austin Flannery, O.P. • Spiritual Theology • Christi Fideles Laici by Jordan Aumann, O.P. by John Paul II • Other Papal Encylicals Additional Recommended Ongoing Formation Materials:

• Praying with the Dominicans by John Vidmar, O.P. • by Thomas Kempis • Taming the Restless Heart by Fr. Gerald Vann, O.P. • He Dwells in Your Soul by Fr. Bede Jarrett, O.P. • Summa Theologica by St. Thomas Aquinas • Ascent of Mount Carmel by Saint • Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Frances de Sales • Interior Castle by Saint Teresa of Avila