DOMINICAN VOCATIONS
PROVINCE OF THE ASSUMPTION
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DOMINICAN VOCATIONS PROVINCE OF THE ASSUMPTION |
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Br
Paul Rowse, O.P. |
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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 |
On that first Easter Sunday when
the disciples found the tomb empty, the Gospels record that they were
both excited and confused: excited that their friend and Lord had in
fact risen as he said, but also confused as to how or when this had
happened. My entry into the Dominican Novitiate held something of
both of these. The main question in my discernment was: "Do I become a secular (diocesan) or religious priest?" Many a parishoner in Manly will tell you that I moved frequently between the two! This was the major dilemma for me. I spent three years studying Theology to assist that process, as well as six months in a pre-seminary programme with the Diocese of Broken Bay and eighteen months as an E.S.L. teacher and flatting with a mate. Looking back, that time of preparation, prayer and experience was important. It helped Lord's will for me to become clear in my mind. It's a great blessing for me to be with the Order: "Lord, it is good for us to be here.." (Mt 17:4). One of our priests recently celebrated his Golden Jubilee of Ordination (quite a milestone!). He said something which struck me, and I'll share it with you now: "Our life has all the means of sanctity." We aren't saints (most of us are pretty far from it!), but religious life, Dominican religious life, provides us with the right stuff to grow in holiness: the Mass - at once universal and personal in joining us to the risen Lord; the Divine Office - the great canticle and sacrifice of praise to the God who made us; the Rosary - a contemplative and petitionary prayer to Our Lady who is any good Dominican's refuge and strength. There is excitement and enthusiasm in me about being a part of a fine community of men who share a common love for the Lord Jesus and zeal for proclaiming his Good News wherever we may be. When I entered, I concede that there was also some anxiety as to what lay ahead. This anxiety is being worn down by the love I share for the Divine Master together with Blessed Dominic's poor preachers. Br Paul Rowse, O.P. is a student for the Province of the Assumption. He has taught English to international students preparing for university and was a sacristan at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney. Br Paul received the habit from the 85th successor of St Dominic, Fr Carlos Azpiroz Costa, O.P., on 14 June, 2003 and made first profession on 30 June, 2004. |
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