Our Formation Steps

Steps in Dominican Formation
in the Western Dominican Province

"... the Order of Friars Preachers, founded by St. Dominic, 'is known from the beginning to have been instituted especially for preaching and the salvation of souls.' Our brethren, therefore, according to the command of the founder 'must conduct themselves honorably and religiously as men who want to obtain their salvation and the salvation of others, following in the footsteps of the Savior as evangelical men speaking among themselves or their neighbors either with God or about God.'"

- from the Fundamental Constitution

Novitiate

The novitiate is the first stage of Dominican initial formation and it takes place at St. Dominic Priory in San Francisco, CA. The novitiate is a time of probation during which the novices may come to know more deeply their divine and, indeed, Dominican vocation, may experience the Order's way of life, may be formed in the Dominican spirit in mind and heart, and manifest their intention and suitability to the brethren. At the end of this one-year period of prayer, community life, work and study, the novice pronounces simple vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, usually for 3 years.

Simple Vows

With Simple Vows, Dominican clerical student brothers move to St. Albert Priory, Oakland, CA.  They normally begin a 3-year period of study: 2 years of philosophy and 1 year of theology, which concludes with a summer of clinical pastoral education (CPE). They study at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology (DSPT) in Berkeley, CA., which is part of the Graduate Theological Union, while living at St. Albert's Priory.

Cooperator student brothers also move to St. Albert Priory and begin their initial three years of religious and spiritual study.  They may also begin/continue studying other areas of expertise in preparation for future ministry.

Renewal of vows

After CPE, a renewal of simple vows for one year takes place, during which year the student brother goes on residency.  During the residency year, the student brother experiences the communal and apostolic life as it exists and is lived in the province. This experience is an essential element of the vocational discernment process prior to solemn vows.

Renewal of vows

After the clerical brothers complete their residency year, there is a further renewal of simple vows for one year after returning to the house of formation (St. Albert Priory) to begin the second year of theology.

Cooperators also renew for an additional year as they continue to pursue educational opportunities preparing them for future ministry.

Solemn Vows

Profession of Solemn vows, that is to vow until death, as either a Dominican cooperator brother or clerical brother, takes place at the end of the fifth year of simple vows.

After Solemn Vows, cooperator brothers begin their formal ministerial life in the Province.

Diaconate

For their third year of theological studies, clerical brothers continue their theological studies, at the end of which they receive their diaconate ordination.

Priesthood

After completing their fourth year of theology at the DSPT, clerical student brothers receive their priestly ordination and usually are sent out into the Province to begin their formal ministerial life.

Those friars who have shown promise and aptitude during their initial formation may be sent on to further studies after a period of time in pastoral ministry, determined by our legislation and the decision of those in charge of continuing formation, in consultation with the friar.

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