Spirituality
Dominican Spirituality
“Dominican spirituality is a living reality today… It is handed on (or distorted) by Dominicans living now, who reshape the Dominican family story here and now with an eye to the situation in the world and the church, the cultural historical situation of the moment…”
“…without a living relationship to the present, any talk about Dominican spirituality remains a purely historical preoccupation with the part of the Order (often an excuse for neglecting tasks which are urgent now).”
“Dominican spirituality is a living reality which is to be realized among us now. Otherwise we simply repeat stories which others have told for a long time, as though we ourselves did not have to write our own chapter in what is of course a story which had already begun before us.”
Edward Schillebeeckx OP
Dominican Spirituality - Edward Schillebeeckx OP
“Seeking the Truth is another way in which Dominicans would describe our spirituality. We are seekers of light, insight and an ever deepening understanding of other people, the world around us and the action of God. The Dominican torch is a frequent symbol of that light. We might say that our vocation is rooted in a fearless search for truth. We are the flame of that truth (Veritas).”
“The Dominican Story is only valid if it takes up the thread of an earlier story, that of Jesus of Nazareth, and brings it up to date in its own way”.
Edward Schillebeeckx OP
“Many Dominicans would say that Dominican spirituality is hard to define, because we are always seeking new ways to express God’s touch in our lives. Fundamentally, the Order is defined by its preaching mission.”
“What we proclaim cannot be separated from the lives we live. Do we live what we say we believe?”
Edward Schillebeeckx OP
Image: Mary Southward