 First
Vows
by Br. John Evans, OP
I first met the Dominicans at the University of Utah Newman Center in Salt Lake City. I
didn't know when I first arrived that I too would be wearing the Dominican habit one day.
Its a funny thing how God works in our lives, how God's mystery unfolds for each of us.
For me, I gradually and patiently discerned my vocation. What was it that God was calling
me to do, or not to do? In the end, I knew that my discernment was complete, because I
knew that if God was calling me to be a Dominican, and to be a priest, that he would open
all the proper doors. Likewise, if God was not calling me to this vocation, then he would
shut those doors. Either way, I knew that I had to place my trust in God, and this is
where I found peace. Deciding to be a Dominican was a separate decision than being a
priest. Becoming a Dominican meant that I would become a religious living the common life.
I am praying, eating, and living with my community. I share in my brothers' joy, sadness,
faith, hope, and much more. We grow together as a family which is committed, in a common
way, to preaching the good news and follow Christ in the tradition of St. Dominic.
I am attracted to the Dominicans for many reasons. I enjoy the itinerant lifestyle, the
wide array of ministries, the western location of the province, the philosophical and
theological studies, the academic tradition, the coral Office, and much more. I also found
visiting St. Albert's, the House of Studies in
Oakland, CA was an extremely positive experience. I was able to see what it was like to
live there, and how I might fit into this community. I would have to say that what
attracts me the most, is the unique combination of the apostolic and monastic traditions.
The rich monastic tradition of prayer is wonderful, but I like taking the fruit of that
prayer out into the public by way of an apostolic ministry. The Dominicans really do enjoy
the best of both of these traditions.
I recently made my first profession, consecrating myself to God. This means, I commit
myself to living in charity as expressed in the three vows of poverty, chastity, and
obedience. To be a Dominican is to preach to all people the Word of God in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and to follow Christ at every moment. This is what I have committed
myself to doing, that I may grow closer to Christ, and better serve God and God's people.
First Vows |
