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Br. David's
Thank You
Reflections on Solemn Vows |
The
Profession of Solemn Vows
of Br. David Orique, O.P.
June 17, 1999
Br. David Thomas Orique, a second
generation Portuguese-American, is from Kingsburg California. After graduating from
California State University of Fresno with a B.S. in Business Administration and a minor
in Spanish, he worked for 12 years in the business world before entering the Dominican
Order in 1992. He is currently completing a M.Div/M.A. in theology with special emphasis
in Luso-Hispanic historical and economic studies. As part of his formation toward service
in the Church, he will spend a year studying in Europe with Dominicans from Portugal,
Spain & France beginning the summer of 1999. He will be ordained to the diaconate
while engaged in studies in Salamanca Spain and to the priesthood in Oakland California in
2001. Upon ordination to the priesthood, Brother David hopes to begin his ministry at one
of the Western Province's university campus ministry sites on the West Coast while
initiating postgraduate work in Latin American studies. Brother David dreams of working
half of the year in Latin American with the balance of the time ministering here on the
west to Portuguese and Spanish speaking communities.
Below is a copy of Br. David's letter to
the Provincial requesting vows.
December 22, 1998
Fr. Daniel Syverstad, Prior Provincial
Western Dominican Province
Provincial Office
Oakland, CA
Dear Fr. Daniel:
During the past five and a half years I have given my status as a Dominican a great
deal of prayerful thought and discernment. I believe in my heart I am called to this life
and sense that I can best serve God and the Church as a Dominican friar of the Province of
the Most Holy Name of Jesus. I especially look forward to the approaching possibility of
ordination to the diaconate and the priesthood; this would complete a deep and enduring
desire that I have carried for many years to minister sacramentally in the Church. For the
above mentioned reasons, I ask you to accept my request for final vows.
Recognizing a number of areas in my life needing growth, I desire to remain open to
God's spirit so that I may continue to mature as a follower of Jesus Christ. I see the
wisdom and the challenge of the Order's communal life of prayer, study and discernment.
With God's grace, I will continue to openly dispose myself to hear the Lord's word
speaking through the community so that I may grow toward a greater degree of Christian
charity.
I am very thankful to God, you and the province for the blessings of this life in the
Order. Should my request for final vows be accepted, I will seek God's mercy and yours to
fulfill my vocation through this permanent vowed relationship with God, the Church and the
Order.
Sincerely in Christ,
Br. David Thomas Orique, O.P. |
