Discern Becoming a Dominican Priest
Novitiate
The Novitiate year can be one of the best years of a Dominican priest’s or brother’s life! During this year, young men live in community with priests and brothers, both young and old, who help them explore their vocations. While there may be some ministry involved, a novice learns 1) about the prayer life of Dominicans, 2) what it’s like to live in a community, 3) the history of the Dominican Order – its heritage, good works, and current missions.
During this year, a novice is free to leave if this is not the right fit for him. He also discerns whether he wants to make temporary vows (i.e., to make the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, with the understanding that he is not yet bound for life). After the Novitiate, the newly-vowed Dominican goes on for study.
Studium
Dominicans call their seminarians “student brothers,” that is, brothers preparing for ordination to the priesthood and full-time ministry. The place where our student brothers live is called the “Studium.” In the Studium, student brothers continue to build on what they learned in the Novitiate, but focus heavily on studying philosophy and theology. They may also pick up a few languages, like Latin, Greek, or Spanish. Some student brothers even find a topic of study so interesting that they focus more in that area with the hopes of going on for a doctorate and being an expert in their field.
Student brothers also participate in various ministries. This helps them prepare for priesthood with a greater understanding of where they may want to work after ordination…or where they absolutely don’t want to work. The Studium is a perfect place to learn more about your goals as a priest.
Towards the end of the time in the Studium, a student brother decides with his community whether he wants to profess solemn vows, which are lifelong.
Ordination
Some Dominicans choose to work as brothers their whole lives, without seeking ordination to the priesthood. But most of them seek to serve the Church as priests. Before doing so, a student brother who makes solemn vows will be ordained a deacon. He normally serves in this role for about a year, allowing him to preach at Mass, preside at exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and benediction, celebrate baptisms and maybe even weddings and funerals. This time in ordained ministry better prepares him for the work he will do as a priest.
As a student brother performs his duties as a deacon, he also finishes studies. At the end of his final year in the Studium, he is ordained a priest. From there he goes out into fulltime ministry.