 Br. John
Ruiz-Martin, OP
I was born in Central America and immigrated to the United States when I was seventeen
years old. God's providence brought me to New England where I attended college in
New Hampshire. During my first two years in college, I was not really interested in
becoming a priest. I was more interested in sports, friends and socializing.
However, by the time I had finished my degree in Political Science, I realized that I was
truly more interested in Theology than in anything else. So after college, I went
looking for a good school to study Theology. I intended to study Theology to enrich
my knowledge of the Catholic faith and to discern my vocation in life. A friend of
mine advised me to look at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC. I had
never heard of Dominicans before but I decided to follow my friend's advise.
Eventually, I applied and was admitted to a program in Theology at the House of Studies in
Washington. While studying and interacting with the Order of Preachers, I soon
discovered that the Dominican way of life offered a great balance between the active and
the contemplative. I was captivated by the Dominican emphasis on grace and
virtue. While studying with the Dominican friars, I was very impressed with
joyfulness. It was exciting for me to see so many young men give up everything in
life to go and preach Jesus Christ resurrected for the salvation of souls.During my
years in Washington, DC., God's grace guided and encouraged me to apply to the Dominican
Order. I entered the novitiate on August 1, 2002 and received the habit on August 8,
2002. After a year of novitiate filled with many graces, I made simple profession of vows
on August 15th, 2003. I am grateful to God for having granted me this immense grace.
It is a great joy to be a Dominican. Our order is under the special patronage
of Mary the Mother of God, our mother. I am grateful to my Dominican brothers for
the Mercy they show me everyday and for their fidelity to the Church and to the preaching
mission we have inherited from our father St. Dominic.
[Updated 9/10/03]
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