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Vocation Discernment


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Vocation Office
Western Dominican Province
5890 Birch Court
Oakland, CA 94618-1626

(510)-596-1821

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Student Blog

The Student brothers at St. Albert Priory have had an Internet blog presence for some time.  Please do consider following their reflections and observations.  You will find them insightful and respectful of the living tradition they are choosing to embrace.

Our House of Studies

In addition to the Provincial Office available on these pages, you should also be aware that our St. Albert Priory and the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology have a web presence also.  Visit their sites to discover the beauty and wonder of Religious life and the depth and beauty of the theological and philosophical studies of our students offered at a primier Thgeological School at the GTU in Berkeley.

Vestition Slides

Vestition - 2001

The habits for the new novices of 2001 were neatly folded on a table in the Sanctuary of the St. Albert Priory main chapel.

Vestition - 2001

The ceremony happened during the celebration of Compline. Following the short reading Fr. Anthony Rosevear, OP, Fr. Daniel Syverstad, OP (then - Provincial), Fr. Paul Scanlon, OP, and Fr. Paul Tran, OP (Superior of the Vietnamese Vicariat) address the postulants.

Vestition - 2001

The postulants prostrate before the altar in silent prayer as the Vestition Ceremony begins.

Vestition - 2001

The Provincial concludes with a prayer before asking the postulants to rise and return to their seats.

Vestition - 2001

The postulants are questioned about their intentions before they are clothed.

Vestition - 2001

First they strip off the shirts they are wearing. One of the signs they are leaving one life and beginning another.

Vestition - 2001

One by one they approach the Provincial, Fr. Daniel Syverstad, OP, who clothes them in the Dominican Habit.

Vestition - 2001

The clothing takes some time, thus the waiting sometimes seems to take forever!

Vestition - 2001

While the postulants are being clothed, the hymn Veni Creator is sung by the other friars present.

Vestition - 2001

After they have been clothed in their habit, the new novices kneel with the capuce (hood) of their habit covering their heads.

Vestition - 2001

It is a powerful moment! One wonders what prayers and thoughts run through each head.

Vestition - 2001

The new novices each seem to be deep in prayer.

Vestition - 2001

After all the novices have been clothed, they return to the provincial, one by one, to receive a religious name, if one has been chosen. Then the capuce is lowered and they return to their places.

Vestition - 2001

Fr. Paul Tran receives the new novice for the Vietnamese Vicariat.

Vestition - 2001

As each is received, he is given the sign of peace by the Provincial. Then all have their scapulars blessed - the only part of the habit that is blessed.

Vestition - 2001

After the kiss of peace from the Provincial, the rest of the friars line the chapel to extend a sign of peace to each novice.

Vestition - 2001

Young and old, hale, hearty and infirm, all the friars rejoice in the new novices.

Vestition - 2001

There is a long line .. thank goodness no one tests to see if the novices remember everyone's name. (and the other way as well!)

Vestition - 2001

It is indeed a time to rejoice in the blessings of new vocations, young men eager to give their lives to the Lord and in service to his people.

Vestition - 2001

The Compline service then resumes. Two of the new novices took up candles and led the traditional Salve Procession out to the shrine to Our Lady on the cloister walk.

Vestition - 2001

Salve Regina, mater misericordiae ... Hail holy queen, mother of mercies ...

Vestition - 2001

vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. our life, our sweetness, and our hope, we hail you.

Vestition - 2001

ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle. tou you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vally of tears.

Vestition - 2001

During the singing of the Salve Regina the Provincial sprinkled the gathered community with holy water.

Vestition - 2001

et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende. And after this, our exile, show to us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Vestition - 2001

At the end of the Salve Regina a short prayer was offered asking for Mary's continued intercession with her Son for the lives of the brethren.

Vestition - 2001

The 70+ Dominican friars present then continued to process to the center of the cloister garden and the statue of St. Dominic.

Vestition - 2001

While processing, the brethren sang the O Lumen in honor of St. Dominic.

Vestition - 2001

At the conclusion of the O Lumen Fr. Anthony Rosevear offered a prayer invoking the intercession of St. Dominic. All ceremonies concluded, the community retired to a small reception party for the newest members of the Western Dominican Province and the Dominican Order.
  • The habits for the new novices of 2001 were neatly folded on a table in the Sanctuary of the St. Albert Priory main chapel.
  • The ceremony happened during the celebration of Compline. Following the short reading Fr. Anthony Rosevear, OP, Fr. Daniel Syverstad, OP (then - Provincial), Fr. Paul Scanlon, OP, and Fr. Paul Tran, OP (Superior of the Vietnamese Vicariat) address the postulants.
  • The postulants prostrate before the altar in silent prayer as the Vestition Ceremony begins.
  • The Provincial concludes with a prayer before asking the postulants to rise and return to their seats.
  • The postulants are questioned about their intentions before they are clothed.
  • First they strip off the shirts they are wearing. One of the signs they are leaving one life and beginning another.
  • One by one they approach the Provincial, Fr. Daniel Syverstad, OP, who clothes them in the Dominican Habit.
  • The clothing takes some time, thus the waiting sometimes seems to take forever!
  • While the postulants are being clothed, the hymn Veni Creator is sung by the other friars present.
  • After they have been clothed in their habit, the new novices kneel with the capuce (hood) of their habit covering their heads.
  • It is a powerful moment! One wonders what prayers and thoughts run through each head.
  • The new novices each seem to be deep in prayer.
  • After all the novices have been clothed, they return to the provincial, one by one, to receive a religious name, if one has been chosen. Then the capuce is lowered and they return to their places.
  • Fr. Paul Tran receives the new novice for the Vietnamese Vicariat.
  • As each is received, he is given the sign of peace by the Provincial. Then all have their scapulars blessed - the only part of the habit that is blessed.
  • After the kiss of peace from the Provincial, the rest of the friars line the chapel to extend a sign of peace to each novice.
  • Young and old, hale, hearty and infirm, all the friars rejoice in the new novices.
  • There is a long line .. thank goodness no one tests to see if the novices remember everyone's name. (and the other way as well!)
  • It is indeed a time to rejoice in the blessings of new vocations, young men eager to give their lives to the Lord and in service to his people.
  • The Compline service then resumes. Two of the new novices took up candles and led the traditional Salve Procession out to the shrine to Our Lady on the cloister walk.
  • Salve Regina, mater misericordiae ... Hail holy queen, mother of mercies ...
  • vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve. our life, our sweetness, and our hope, we hail you.
  • ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes in hac lacrimarum valle. tou you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vally of tears.
  • During the singing of the Salve Regina the Provincial sprinkled the gathered community with holy water.
  • et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exsilium ostende. And after this, our exile, show to us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus.
  • At the end of the Salve Regina a short prayer was offered asking for Mary's continued intercession with her Son for the lives of the brethren.
  • The 70+ Dominican friars present then continued to process to the center of the cloister garden and the statue of St. Dominic.
  • While processing, the brethren sang the O Lumen in honor of St. Dominic.
  • At the conclusion of the O Lumen Fr. Anthony Rosevear offered a prayer invoking the intercession of St. Dominic. All ceremonies concluded, the community retired to a small reception party for the newest members of the Western Dominican Province and the Dominican Order.

Vestition 2001
===============================================

Habits Neatly Folded

The habit consists of a tunic, scapular, capuce, belt and rosary, a black cape and black capuce.

Vestition Book

The book contains an agreement written in the individual's own hand which he will sign after vestition, along with witnesses.

Table prepared

The habits are ready in the sanctuary of St. Dominic Church, San Francisco, before the main altar.

The friars gather

Friars from all over the province gather for the ceremony.

Postulants

Cody, Andrew, Bryan and Andrew, who will become novices through this ceremony are seated in the front choir forms.

Postulants

Steffano, Carl, Trent, John and Colin, who will become novices through this ceremony are seated in the front choir forms.

Called forward

The Postulants are called into the nave of the church

Prostration

As they lie prostrate before the Lord in prayerful submission to His will, the community prays in song.

Instruction

Our provincial, the Very Rev. Mark Padrez, OP, preaches on the meaning of consecrated life and the process the new members have begun.

Postulants listen attentively

Again in the nave

One by one they are clothed

Colin, who will be Br. Thomas Aquinas

Stripping away the old

Cody, who will be Br. Cody

A Life of Prayer and Study

Clothed in the Holy Habit

John, who will be Br. David

The Beginning of a New Life

Andrew, who will be Br. Andrew

Surrender to Christ

Trent, who will be Br. Albert

Immersed in God's Love

Andrew, who will be Br. Andrew

Aware of God's Calling

Carl, who will be Br. Carl Clothed by the Very Rev. Christopher Eggleton, OP, Provincial for the Province of St. Martin de Porres, assisted by Fr. Scott O'Brien, OP, Novice Master for the Southern Dominican Province.

Seeking God's Mercy

Brian, who will be Br. Brian Clothed by the Very Rev. Chris Eggleton, OP, with assistance from Fr. Scott O'Brien, OP, Southern Dominican Novice Master, and Fr. Anthony Rosevear, OP, Western Dominican Novice Master

Welcomed into Community

Steffano, who will be Br. Steffano
  • The habit consists of a tunic, scapular, capuce, belt and rosary, a black cape and black capuce.
  • The book contains an agreement written in the individual's own hand which he will sign after vestition, along with witnesses.
  • The habits are ready in the sanctuary of St. Dominic Church, San Francisco, before the main altar.
  • Friars from all over the province gather for the ceremony.
  • Cody, Andrew, Bryan and Andrew, who will become novices through this ceremony are seated in the front choir forms.
  • Steffano, Carl, Trent, John and Colin, who will become novices through this ceremony are seated in the front choir forms.
  • The Postulants are called into the nave of the church
  • As they lie prostrate before the Lord in prayerful submission to His will, the community prays in song.
  • Our provincial, the Very Rev. Mark Padrez, OP, preaches on the meaning of consecrated life and the process the new members have begun.
  • Colin, who will be Br. Thomas Aquinas
  • Cody, who will be Br. Cody
  • John, who will be Br. David
  • Andrew, who will be Br. Andrew
  • Trent, who will be Br. Albert
  • Andrew, who will be Br. Andrew
  • Carl, who will be Br. Carl Clothed by the Very Rev. Christopher Eggleton, OP, Provincial for the Province of St. Martin de Porres, assisted by Fr. Scott O'Brien, OP, Novice Master for the Southern Dominican Province.
  • Brian, who will be Br. Brian Clothed by the Very Rev. Chris Eggleton, OP, with assistance from Fr. Scott O'Brien, OP, Southern Dominican Novice Master, and Fr. Anthony Rosevear, OP, Western Dominican Novice Master
  • Steffano, who will be Br. Steffano

Vestition 2011

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