About us

We have been known since the 13^th century as Third Order Dominicans or Dominican tertiaries, but are now usually referred to simply as Lay Dominicans. Men and women, singles and couples; Catholic lay faithful (as well as some secular priests and permanent deacons) organized in fraternities to constitute a "secular" branch of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans).

"They have as their vocation to radiate the presence of Christ in the midst of the peoples so that the divine message of salvation be known and accepted everywhere by the whole of mankind".

"Some among them are moved by the Holy Spirit to live according to the spirit and charism of Saint Dominic, and are incorporated into the Order by special commitment according to statutes of their own."

"As members of the Order, they share its apostolic mission, by study, prayer and preaching in keeping with their state as members of the laity."

"The Master of the Order, as successor to St Dominic and head of the whole Dominican Family, presides over all fraternities of the world. It is his task to maintain intact in them the spirit of the Order, to establish practical rules according to the demands of time, and place, and to promote the spiritual good and the apostolic zeal of members."

~ The Rule of the Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic

The youngest lay Dominicans are 18 years of age and many remain as active members their whole life. Going through different stages in life - changing (or losing) one's job, moving to another place, getting married, widowed, divorced perhaps, raising children, retiring - a lay Dominican's capacity or availability for participation in various Dominican apostolates will change over the years. Above all, many of us have chosen to live the sacrament of marriage and joyfully accept the gift of parenthood; this would then be our first and most important apostolate, to be given priority before all other tasks.

"Words are empty unless they are supported by the witness of life, both individually and as a community."

~ fr. Damian Byrne, O.P., former Master of the Order