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
Fr. Bernhard Thomas Blankenhorn, OP
Fr. Bernhard Blankenhorn was born in Germany in 1973. He immigrated to the United States in 1984, and lived in the Los Angeles area until entering the Dominican novitiate in 1998. He earned a B.A. majoring in political science from the California State Polytechnic University in Pomona in 1997. He fell away from the Church during his early college years, but returned in 1995. He began to discern a call to religious life shortly after graduating from college, and was drawn to the Order of Preachers by the balance of contemplation and action, and by its preaching and teaching apostolates.
He made his first vows on September 4, 1999 and his solemn vows on January 31, 2004. He completed his M.A. in philosophy in 2002, as well as M.A. and M.Div. degrees in theology in 2006. He was ordained a priest on June, 29 2006. His interests are in systematic theology, especially St. Thomas Aquinas, the sacraments and the doctrine of God. He hopes to teach at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkeley (DSPT), at a university, or at a seminary, to publish books and articles, and to continue to teach adult catechesis. [updated Aug 21, 2006]
Photo 2008"The Claims of the Gospel of Judas," Catholic World Report , June 2006, pp. 32-36.
June 29, 2006, Priestly Ordination Slideshow
![Fr. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP celebrates his first solemn Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Albert Priory in Oakland CA<br>
[photo: Julie Mosajta]](http://www.opwest.org/uploads/images/2006/JuneOrdination/30_firstMass.jpg "First Mass 2006")
![Deacons Rev. Bro. Jerome Cudden, OP and Rev. Bro. John Mellein, OP assist Fr. Blankenhorn at his First Mass.<br>
[photo credit: Julie Mosajta]](http://www.opwest.org/uploads/images/2006/JuneOrdination/31_offeratory.JPG "First Mass 2006")
![Many priests concelebrated at Fr. Blankenhorn's First Mass.<br>
[photo credit: Julie Mosajta]](http://www.opwest.org/uploads/images/2006/JuneOrdination/32_EucharisticPrayer.JPG "First Mass 2006")
"The Instrumental Causality of the Sacraments: Thomas Aquinas and Louis-Marie Chauvet," Nova et Vetera, English Edition,Vol. 4, No. 2 (2006): 255–94. Bibliography. PDF format, May 1, 2006
June 2005. Deacon Ordination Slide Show
Ordination in France - 2005
Bro. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP was ordained in a Dominican Church located in Toulouse France with five others.Ordination in France - 2005
Archbishop Emile Marcus, PSS, calls forth the candidates to the diaconate.Ordination in France - 2005
The candidates lie prostrate before the altar during the invocation of the Saints.Ordination in France - 2005
Only the bishop lays hands on those ordained to the Diaconate.Ordination in France - 2005
The new deacons are vested in stole and dalmatic.Ordination in France - 2005
Once vested, the deacons, one by one, approach the archbishop.Ordination in France - 2005
Archbishop Emile presents the Book of the Gospels to Rev. Bro. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP.Ordination in France - 2005
The new deacons watch as the Archbishop begins priestly ordinations during the same liturgy.Ordination in France - 2005
The priestly candidates, after the archbishop has laid hands on them, kneel as those priests present also lay hands on them.Ordination in France - 2005
After the new priests are vested, Rev. Brother Bernhard assists the archbishop with the continued liturgy.Ordination in France - 2005
During the Eucharist, Bro. Bernhard prays quietly from his place to one side.Ordination in France - 2005
The Deacons in the procession out of the Church at the end of the ceremony.Ordination in France - 2005
Rainer Blankenhorn (father), Msgr. Emile Marcus, Archbishop of Toulouse, Rev. Bro. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP, Hedi Blankenhorn (mother), and Elisabeth Blankenhorn (sister)Ordination in France - 2005
Another picture of Rev. Bro. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP with members of his family.
Solemn Vows, January 31, 2004, Slide Show
Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
Entrance Procession to the Solemn Vows Mass with Br. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP (left) and Br. Robert King, OP (right), in cappas, following the acolytes in the procession.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
As Br. John Evans, OP, Fr. Michael Monshau, OP (Prior), Very Rev. Roberto Corral, OP (Provincial-seated) and Br. Francis Le, OP (far right) look on, Fr. Christopher Renz, OP (Student Master) calls the candidates forward.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
The candidates, Br. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP (L.)and Br. Robert King, OP (R.), stand before the Provincial with acolytes behind.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
Rev. Bro. John Evans, OP prepares to proclaim the Gospel.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
Very Rev. Michael Monshau, OP (Prior of St. Albert Priory) preaches at the ceremony.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
During the singing of the Veni Creator the brothers prostrate before the altar.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
May the Holy Spirit, whom we invoke in this hymn, so fill our brothers that they eagerly and joyfully follow in the footsteps of St. Dominic!Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
There is a long time to meditate on what is about to happen while down on the floor.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
While holding the book of Constitutions within the hands of the Provincial, Bro. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP makes profession of obedience to God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Dominic and the Master of the Order according to those same Constitutions until death.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
Another view of the profession made by Bro. BernhardSolemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
A third view of the profession made by Bro. Bernhard.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
While holding the book of Constitutions within the hands of the Provincial, Bro. Robert King, OP makes profession of obedience to God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Dominic and the Master of the Order according to those same Constitutions until death.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
A close-up of the hands of Bro. Robert King, OP while he is making his solemn profession.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
The brethren share a sign of peace with the newly solemnly professed.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
They joyfully congratulate each other while sharing a sign of Christ's peace.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
Br. Jesson Mata, OP, Br. Peter Do, OP, Br. Stephen Lopez, OP, Fr. Chris Renz, OP, Br. John Bingham, OP and Br. Zechariah Foreman, OP formed the schola which sang and led others in song during the liturgy.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
The mothers of the newly professed, Heidi Blankenhorn (L.) and Virginia King (R.) bring up the gifts of wine and bread to be used in the Mass.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
Our Provincial, the Very Rev. Roberto Corral, OP, receives the gifts from the mothers of the newly professed.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
Br. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP (L.) and Br. Robert King, OP (R.) prepare to exit the chapel at the end of Mass.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
Br. Robert King, OP, follows Br. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP in signing the Register of Solemn Professions while Fr. Chris Renz, OP (foreground) and the Very Rev. Roberto Corral, OP (background) look on.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
Many friends from our parishes and local community attended the Mass of Profession and the reception after.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
Parishioners from Benicia were particularly happy to share this happy time.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
Br. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP and friends from Benicia.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
Br. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP and friends from Benicia.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
Br. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP and friends from Benicia.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
Br. Bernhard Blankenhorn with family and friends.Solemn Vows - Jan 31, 2004
Benedikt Blankenhorn (younger brother), Hedi Blankenhorn (mother), Br. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP, and Rainer Blankenhorn (father).
Divine Suffering in Hans Urs von Balthasar: Theological Method and Pastoral Implications
A presentation in Celebration of the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas at St. Albert Priory, Oakland, CA.
January 28th, 2004, 7:30 PM
"Balthasar's Method of Divine Naming," Nova et Vetera, English Edition, Vol. 1, No. 2 (2003) 245-68.
"The Good as Self-Diffusive in Thomas Aquinas," Angelicum, English Edition, Vol. 79 (2002) 803-837.
Reflections on the First Profession of Vows by Br. Bernhard, September 4, 1999
Novices Class 1998
Ordination 2006
Rev. Bro. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP (standing-left) is presented to the bishop for ordination to the priesthood.Ordination 2006
Rev. Bro. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP promises obedience to his ordinary.Ordination 2006
Fran Shoup proclaims the first reading.Ordination 2006
Rev. Bro. Michael Hurley, OP incenses the Book of the Gospels before proclaiming the Good News.Ordination 2006
Rev. Bro. Bernhard Blankenhorn prostrates before the altar as the Litany of the Saints is sung by the cantors and people.Ordination 2006
The litany contains all the traditional Saints plus a selection of Dominican Saints, including ones of special devotion of Rev. Bro. Bernhard.Ordination 2006
The prostration before the locus of God's action in the Eucharist is not only a submission to God's will in accepting ordination to the priesthood, but also a pleading for God's mercy to be the best priest possible.Ordination 2006
In an ancient symbolic action, Bishop Cummins lays hands on Rev. Bro. Bernhard just as the Apostles did when creating new leaders for the Church.Ordination 2006
All the priests present then laid hands on Rev. Bro Bernhard, beginning with the Very Rev. Emmerich Vogt, OP, Provincial of the Western Dominican Province.Ordination 2006
As Fr. Anthony Rosevear, OP laid hands, Rev. Bro. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP surely thought back to the days when Fr. Anthony was his Novicemaster.Ordination 2006
After the last priest, Fr. John Paul Forte, OP laid hands, Bishop Cummins invoked the Holy Spirit in a consecration prayer and the ordination was complete.Ordination 2006
The new priest, Fr. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP, is vested by his mother and a friend from the Franciscan Order.Ordination 2006
The Stole, symbol of the office of priest, is placed around his neck.Ordination 2006
The Chasuable, symbol of the presider at the Eucharist, is place by his mother.Ordination 2006
The newly ordained shares a sign of peace with Bishop Cummins.Ordination 2006
The hands of the new priest are consecrated with Holy Chrism.Ordination 2006
Bound with a white cloth, Fr. Bernhard is reminded that he is dedicated to the offering of prayer and sacrifice for the people of God.Ordination 2006
The newly ordained is given the chalice and paten with the bread and wine to be used in the Eucharist and reminded again of his calling to offer the one, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ.Ordination 2006
Bishop Cummins, Fr. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP and Rev. Bro. Dismas Sayer, OP await the preparation of the gifts.Ordination 2006
Fr. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP, prays a portion of the Eucharistic Prayer.Ordination 2006
With obvious joy, Fr. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP distributes communion.Ordination 2006
Bishop Cummins joins the joyful friar in helping to distribute communion.Ordination 2006
The people line up to receive the new priest's blessing.Ordination 2006
Fr. Blankenhorn continues to offer his first priestly blessings.Ordination 2006
Each person receives the complete and special attention of the new priest.First Mass 2006
Fr. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP celebrates his first solemn Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Albert Priory in Oakland CA[photo: Julie Mosajta]
First Mass 2006
Deacons Rev. Bro. Jerome Cudden, OP and Rev. Bro. John Mellein, OP assist Fr. Blankenhorn at his First Mass.[photo credit: Julie Mosajta]
First Mass 2006
Many priests concelebrated at Fr. Blankenhorn's First Mass.[photo credit: Julie Mosajta]
Family Photo - 2006
Fr. Bernhard Blankenhorn's family gathered with him to celebrate.Mass at Cristo Rey Carmelite Monastery
Fr. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP blesses the nuns.Mass at Benicia, CA
Fr. Bernhard Blankenhorn, OP also celebrated a First Mass at his deaconate ministry site, St. Dominic Church in Benicia, CA