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. Emmanuel Francis Taylor, OP
I entered the Dominican Order from Seattle but if you want to know how I entered from that beautiful city you have to follow me at least two steps.
My first step is Northern California where I was raised. During family summer camping trips I developed a love for the ocean. At that young age I would pray about my future vocation and it was exploring the Ocean. I wanted to praise God through that study. These plans were made difficult however as I found myself 1,000 miles from the ocean when my family moved to New Mexico.
Despite the loss of the Ocean I loved the culture in New Mexico: the food, the families and Catholic faith. I made very good friends there and was not in a hurry to leave. I went to University there and studied electrical engineering with the hope to go into Oceanography after.
After some job experience and many adventures I found the fulfillment of my greatest dream living aboard a research ship traveling the world’s Oceans and working on the submarine Alvin. We took scientists 10,000 feet deep to explore the hydrothermal vents on the seafloor.
I loved the experience traveling and meeting people from around the world. It showed me that I like to be on pilgrimage. While at sea for month long expeditions I tried to pray and share my faith but I realized I needed community for support.
I felt drawn to a community of faith at Blessed Sacrament Church in Seattle because of the Young Adult program that tried to integrate faith with lives of the people in the parish.
I realized my great love for teaching and felt called to share as a religious brother with the support of community continuing on the pilgrimage I have already set out on. I hope to learn to be a good teacher. I want to be able to integrate and share the science of nature and the love of God with others. [updated 7/11/2010]
Photos 2004 | 2006 300dpi | 2006 | 2010
