Lay Dominicans at St. Catherine of Sienna celebrate their Chapter's 20th anniversary

Friday, Nov. 06, 2015

SALT LAKE CITY — St. Catherine of Sienna Newman Center celebrated a very special Mass on Nov. 1.

The 20th anniversary of the Lay Dominican St. Catherine of Sienna Chapter, which is a full chapter in the Dominican Western Province, was honored with a Profession Mass followed by a reception that also served to mark the 800th Jubilee Year of the Order of Preachers.

Dominican Fr. Peter Hannah, the parish’s associate pastor who also is the chaplain for the lay Dominicans, celebrated the Mass, during which Barbara Bannon renewed her temporary profession as a lay Dominican.

The lay Dominican chapter at St. Catherine of Siena was officially formed 20 years ago, said Paul White, the chapter moderator.

“It was in place before that, but you have to go through a number of years till you become [formally] recognized,” he explained.

The Lay Dominicans are “lay members of the Catholic Church who have decided to live and follow the charisms of the Dominican orders just like the priests, the brothers, the nuns, the sisters. … We live the four pillars of prayer, community, study, and preaching and apostolic works,” said White. “This is not a book group; it is not a prayer group; it’s a way of life. We are Dominicans.”

The Lay Dominicans Chapter at Saint Catherine of Sienna Newman Center meet every month and go through a year of study on one specific topic; this year, the topic is  Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si.’

“But our members also bring in a news article, a poem or a reading that they think connects to us, to daily life, since we are living in this world,” said White.

To become a lay Dominican, a person must be at least 18 years of age, have been a practicing Catholic for at least two years, and cannot be consecrated to another order.

“This is a call,” said White.

During the first year with the order, the person goes through a period of discernment and studying.

“After this first year you can be received into the chapter, but once you have been received into the chapter you go on a second year of formation, attending the chapter meetings, learning the four pillars, the Beatitudes and about Catholic social justice,” said White.

After that period of time the person can make their temporary profession as a lay Dominican. 

”That goes on for up to six years; after those years then the person can decide if they have their heart invested in this way of life,” said White.

In Utah there are about 17  women and men who are lay Dominicans; the only chapter is at Saint Catherine of Sienna-Newman Center. 

For information, about the Lay Dominicans, contact Danny Schoenfeld, 801-557-6260 or dnnschoenf@aol.com, or email the Chapter at scoslayop@gmail.com.

Dominic’s Way Today:On Monday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. Fr. Serge Propst, OP, a member of the Dominican Preaching band, will speak at St. Catherine of Sienna Newman Center, 170 University St., SLC, on how the Dominicans’ charism and spirituality can come alive in the hearts of any layperson seeking to draw nearer to Christ and serve God with their whole hearts.