DOMINICAN VOCATIONS PROVINCE OF THE ASSUMPTION

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Home News -------------------------- Welcome Benedict XVI Master -------------------------- History Introduction St Dominic's gift Australia --------------------------- Order Discernment Formation Dominican habit Novitiate Studentate --------------------------- Life Introduction Four pillars Apostolate --------------------------- People Dominican saints Our brethren --------------------------- Resources Lectio Divina Links Prayer Reading --------------------------- Site dedication	This site is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Help of Christians and Queen of Preachers. The consistent theme which runs through the Dominican Marian legends and practices is the relationship between Mary and the ministry of preaching. Mary’s prayers for the world initiate the Order, which she protects in a personal way. If the friars are expeditious in celebrating Mass and the sacraments, saying the Office, reciting her most holy Rosary, it is only that they might study and better preach her Son and herself. The Dominican convictions of their relationship with Mary can be summed up in the words of Blessed Humbert of Romans, fifth Master of the Order:    From these incidents, therefore, and from many others written in the Lives of the Brethren, it is seen, that she is the special mother of that Order which exists to praise, bless, and preach her Son, developing, advancing and defending the Order. - Super Constitutiones, XLII, in De Vita Regulari, 136. The Order of Preachers has a distinctive Marian devotion, as can be seen in our practices.  Just as in the thirteenth century, our vows are professed not only to God but also to Mary.  In our priories, the Salve continues to be sung after Vespers or Compline, at funerals, and at the deathbeds of the friars and nuns.  The full Dominican habit includes the Rosary, a sixteenth-century addition to the habit.   The daily Rosary is prescribed by the Constitutions and is recited in common in many houses.  Each year on 8 May, there is a liturgical celebration of the Patronage of our Lady for the Order.