Dominican Spirituality and the Laity in the Third Christian Millenium

The Charism of our Holy Father Dominic --

To anyone wishing to open self to the influence of the Holy Spirit in the Dominican way, we say: "Be loving of God and neighbor, live together in peace and harmony, proclaim the Word of God, be apostolic, be poor, be chaste, be obedient, pray liturgically and privately, study God's Word, seek truth, contemplate and give the fruits of contemplation to others, be faithful to all the elements of this way of life."

To all the Lay faithful of the Third Christian Millenium --

"Duc in altum" : "Launch out into the deep!" - Luke 5:4

Peace be upon you, O beloved of our Lord, and salutations of peace and goodwill to all Christian souls:

Let us prepare ourselves, my dear brothers and sisters, and together in God, our Father, even as good children of our Holy Mother Church, in the unity of the Holy Spirit and in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord, to launch out and penetrate deeply into this world we live in.

Vatican II and the Social Mission of the Laity --

1. Articulate the faith of the Roman Catholic Church:

To strive ceaselessly to hear ever more clearly God's Word, the Gospel of Jesus Christ,taking that Word to heart and shaping one's life according to it.

To speak about the faith and even instruct, strengthen, and motivate others, not only non-believers, but fellow Christians as well and to manifest Christ's message by words and deeds and to communicate His grace to the world.

To lead others - not only non-believers but fellow Christians - to a deeper faith, not simply by our words but also by our deeds, making the Gospel known and more holy through the witness of an exemplary life.

2. Be appreciative of all God's creation:

To learn the deepest meaning and value of all creation, and how to relate it to the praise of God.

To be appreciative of our own humanity and the mysteries of being human: the body, feeling, emotion, love, sex, work, play, community celebration, art, science, the aspirations of the human mind and the longings of the human heart.

To work to see that created goods are more fittingly distributed among men and women and in our own way lead to general progress in human and Christian liberty.

To establish firmly in our hearts the kingdom of God wherein all creation itself will be delivered out of the slavery to corruption and into the freedom of the sons and daughters of God.

3. Be zealous in building a better world for all men, women, and children:

To struggle to free ourselves from the value system of our society - whatever it may be - in order to judge and act by the justice of God and the norms of the Gospel.

To bear witness to the power and glory of Christian love for the inspiration of others.

To promote the unity of all Christians and dialogue with non-Christians and non-believers.

To be dedicated in a special way, with authentic mercy, to the defense of freedom, to social justice and peace, and above all the defense of human dignity, to remedying the different forms of suffering, to relieving the misery of those suffering injustice, working assiduously to change the institutions of society that generate suffering, whether it be economic, psychic, social, moral, or spiritual.

To pursue a social order marked by justice, peace, and freedom for each human being, regardless of race, sex, age, or other distinction and to imbue culture and human activities with moral value.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Holy Father Dominic, pray for us.

Veritas!