DOMINICANS TODAY

Today, as in times past, the whole Dominican Family shares actively in the charism of Dominic, particularly in his love for the Word of God: The Dominican vocation is marked by its timelessness, its universality, and its diversified forms.

The branches of the Order

From the very beginning of Dominican life the charism of Dominic was realized in different groups. The first group to be called into existence by Dominic's preaching was the nuns (cloistered reverend sisters). They were deeply rooted in Dominic's work of preaching by their totally contemplative way of life. Their style of life is monastic, hidden in prayer and solitude, giving credence to the necessity of having the Word pondered in the heart before being vocalized by the lips.

In 1216 Dominic founded his Order of Preaching Friars, whose purpose was summed up by Pope Honorius III: "God has inspired you to embrace a life of poverty and regular observance and to devote yourselves to preaching the Word of God, making known the name of our Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world." The friars comprise priests and brothers, forming a branch of the Dominican Family under the Master of the Order in Rome. Dominican friars have been working in Nigeria since 1951, and celebrated their 50th anniversary here in 2001.

Also, from the beginning groups of lay people associated themselves with the Order, not only through devotion, but by committing themselves to the life-style of the Dominican Family. Thus preaching, prayer, study, simplicity of life would mark the followers of the charism of Dominic among the Dominican Laity. Today a good number of Nigerian lay men and women belong to this group.

Over a period of time, especially in the 19th century, congregations of Dominican sisters were formed. As Dominicans, they make profession of poverty, chastity and obedience and share in the Order's charism of preaching. Their work includes teaching, medical and social work, and direct evangelization. Nigeria is fortunate in having two congregations of Dominican Sisters, one based in Gusau, Zamfara State, the other based at St. Jude's, Mafoluku, Lagos. These congregations also have other houses throughout Nigeria. (Interested women should write to the Director of Vocations, Dominican Sisters, Box 62, Gusau, Sokoto State, or to Dominican Sisters, P.O. Box 4458, Oshodi, Lagos State.)

Dominicans: Present statistics

The Dominican Order is found throughout the world in all five continents. The Order, as a microcosm of the entire Church, reflects the universality and the particularity of each continent: contemplative high-tech Asia, joyous South America, hard-working reflective Europe, the emerging volcano of talent that is Africa. Today there are approximately 6,300 Dominican brothers throughout the world, 4,700 of them priests. The Dominican cloistered nuns number 4,775 in 225 monasteries, and Dominican Sisters 40,816 in 140 congregations. The Dominican Laity and Dominican secular institutes number about 70,000.

Dominicans in Africa

Dominicans have had a long presence in Africa. They had a centre for dialogue with Muslims in North Africa in the 13th century. They first came to tropical Africa in the 15th century, following in the wake of Portugese explorers. There were African Dominicans in Mozambique in the 17th and 18th centuries. Dominican presence in Africa is now extensive and diversified. These are 5 monasteries of cloistered nuns, two in Cameroon, one each in Kenya, Burundi and Angola. Dominican Sisters are in Togo, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya and Sudan. In North Africa, Dominican priests and brothers and sisters are in found in Cairo. The only full Province of Dominicans is that of St. Joseph the Worker in Nigeria and Ghana. Under the Province of Frances are houses in Dakar, Abidjan, Cotonou, Yaounde and Brazzaville. The General Vicariates of Congo (Kinshasa) and of Southern Africa are directly under the Master of the Order. Burundi/Rwanda are still under the Province of Canada.

Dominicans in Nigeria

The Dominicans in Nigeria are bringing God's Word to his people through preaching and other works of their apostolate. Dominican Fathers run 8 parishes, and give retreats to priests, sisters and brothers of various dioceses, as well as lectures, renewals and retreats to the laity. Many have been involved with the Charismatic movement. They have written and published many books and pamphlets, as well as contributed to newspapers and magazines, and are involved in radio and TV work, and in movements for social justice.

In lbadan the Dominican have their novitiate and house of formation for students studying at the Dominican Institute, which awards B.A. (philosophy) from the University of Ibadan, and M.A. (Theology) from the University of Duquesne, U.S.A. At present in lbadan there are Dominicans from Nigeria, U.S.A., Ghana, Congo, Ivory Coast, Kenya and Burundi.

Dominicans also have taught at SS. Peter and Paul Major seminary and the University of Ibadan. Dominicans also teach and do chaplaincy work at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and the University of Lagos, as well as teaching part time in various secondary schools.

Co-operator brothers (once called "lay brothers") are non-ordained, full members of the Dominican Order. They have an important part to play in the Order and the Church. They help with the maintenance and financial management of our houses, and also by teaching catechism and counselling. A brother manages the Dominican Liturgical Arts in Lagos, makers of eucharistic vestments. Another brother is the director of the St. Jude Apostolate and St. Dominic's Book Centre, Yaba, and the Yaba Community Centre, a venue for various educational, social and medical services.

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I, Brother_______________________,
make profession and promise obedience to God,
to blessed Mary and Blessed Dominic,
and to you, Brother _____________________,
Master of the Order of Friars Preachers and to your successors
according to the Rule of Saint Augustine
and the Constitutions of the Friars Preachers,
that I will be obedient to you and your successors until death.

(The solemn vow taken by Dominicans)