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. Joseph Patrick Mitchell, OP
Br. Joseph was a jolly, good fellow who did even the menial tasks with joy. His formation shows a who's who of the Western Dominican Province. He received the habit from Fr. Sadoc Vilarrasa, OP, the first Prior Provincial of the Order in both Californias. He was in the novitiate under Fr. Thomas Dyson, OP as Prior. He made his simple profession with Fr. Vincent Vinyes, who was the first Vicar General of the Order in California in 1889 and solemnly professed under the second Vicar General, Fr. Pius Murphy, OP.
After a couple of years in Benicia, California, he went off as a missionary to Holy Rosary in Portland, Oregon, staying for three years. He was assigned to St. Dominic's in San Francisco for four years, but returned to Portland for another eight. After a very brief time in Seattle, he went to San Francisco to stay.
He was a Dominican for nearly 50 years, and most people in the world would say that he did not accomplish very much. He did the laundry for the brethren, singing while he hung the clothes out to dry. He also baked bread. Most people remember his saying: "We must pray for final perseverance." Through his perseverance, Br. Joseph led and preached with the example of his life. He accomplished much more than some might think, and it came through his example of humility and joy. What words and deeds will we be remembered for?
|
Date of Birth |
Date of Profession |
Date of Ordination |
Date of Death |
|
March 1858 |
April 21, 1889 |
NA |
February 22, 1939 |
XII: 65