Vocation Discernment
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Vocation Office
Western Dominican Province
5890 Birch Court
Oakland, CA 94618-1626
(510)-596-1821
Our Vocations require a great deal of support, from the first moment they begin their novitiate until the last moments of their retirement. Please do conside visiting our donation page and helping form and sustain the priests and brothers who will serve you in the future, serve you now and have served you in the past.
Saints and Blesseds
The Order of Friars Preachers,
The Dominican Order,
has a beautiful history of learning, service and holiness manifested in its saints and blesseds of every age since its foundation by St. Dominic de Guzman. Do enjoy the periodic postings of such stories as are available from various sources, especially our own archives.
Religious Retirement
Our elderly and infirm friars receive the best care we have available to us, as in any family. We rely heavily on the donations of others for our own existence and thus when one of our own becomes incapable of further ministry due to age or infirmity, those same donations help us support the sometimes necessary special care required by such members of our communities.
We prefer to care for our elderly and infirm in our own houses so that the life of a religious community can be a part of a friars life as long as possible. This is also the most economical in many ways. We strive to use donations wisely. But sometimes a care facility is essential. As we, as a Province, do not benefit from the national collection for retired religious, we ask that you assist us in caring for these friars who have prayed, taught, served and ministered for so many years amomg the people of the Western United States and beyond.
Please, in your kindness, consider assisting us in this work of brotherly love.
Many thanks in advance.
Catholicism
It's just the right thing
Br. Alphonsus Joseph Gustav Braun, OP
Many members of the Province and most visitors to St. Dominic's Church in San Francisco identify Br. Alphonsus with this church, the outstanding architectural edifice in the Western Province. For almost 20 years, he was the custodian of the church and responsible for the decoration of the altar, especially at Christmas and Easter, a work that brought him much happiness and gave a special grace and inspiration to the liturgical festivities.
A native of Berchtesgaden, Germany, Alphonsus was born on July 10, 1900, the son of Sebald Braun and Rose von Wenninger. In 1931, he became a naturalized citizen in Honolulu, Hawaii, married and pursued a successful business career. After the death of his wife, he joined the Order in 1957 as a Third Order donatus, and spent 13 years in that state. He requested and was granted first profession in 1970, and received special permission to make solemn profession in 1972 at St. Dominic's, San Francisco. There he was to have the rare distinction of serving his entire Dominican life in the assignment he treasured so highly, taking care of the sacristy and church. From early morning till the close of each day, he faithfully tended to the needs of both the Dominican community and the many visitors--famous or unknown, royal or forgotten--who came to St. Dominic's.
Being made an extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist and then receiving the minor ministries meant a great deal to him in his later years. Every detail pertaining to the care of the church and congregation came under his scrutiny. To an earlier generation, he was known as the gentleman who attended Mass regularly while he carried out his business profession. To younger Dominicans, Br. Alphonsus will be remembered as the good and faithful servant who was probably the most visible Dominican in San Francisco during those years while he watched over his beloved St. Dominic's Church.
He touched the lives of many during his years of quiet service to the church and community. Declining health and mobility led him to the care of the Dominican Sisters of Oakford at Villa Siena in Mountain View, and he died on January 24, 1981. He is buried in his family plot in St. Joseph's Cemetery in San Pablo, California (crypt DR-116/116D).
--Fr. Albert Buckley, O.P.
|
Date of Birth |
Date of Profession |
Date of Ordination |
Date of Death |
|
July 10, 1900 |
July 4, 1970 |
NA |
January 24, 1981 |
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