Cleric or Non-Cleric?
In founding the Order of Preachers, St. Dominic founded a group of Friars whose mission was essentially tied to liturgical preaching, celebration of the Eucharist, and the hearing of Confessions. This explains what is meant when the Order of Preaching is described as a Clerical Order.
Dominic, however, did not conceive of an order of exclusively priests. Indeed, throughout Dominican history, about one out of every five Dominican Friars have embraced an expression of Dominican life that participates in the friarly mission as a non-ordained friar. This vocation is not less Dominican than that of the priests, nor is it only incidental to the mission of the Order.
Truly, as the former Master of the Order, Bruno Cadore has said, '(The ordained brother and the non-ordained brother) are two expressions of the same vocation.' The non-ordained Dominican Brother is compelled to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ without the same sacramental responsibilities as the Dominican Clerical Brother. This means the non-ordained Brother has a greater freedom than a Clerical Brother to engage non-ecclesial ministries, activities, and leadership.
Dominican preaching cannot be done without Dominican Priests, and the preaching of Dominican Priests would be impoverished and less effective if not complimented by the preaching proper to non-ordained Brothers.
Dominic, however, did not conceive of an order of exclusively priests. Indeed, throughout Dominican history, about one out of every five Dominican Friars have embraced an expression of Dominican life that participates in the friarly mission as a non-ordained friar. This vocation is not less Dominican than that of the priests, nor is it only incidental to the mission of the Order.
Truly, as the former Master of the Order, Bruno Cadore has said, '(The ordained brother and the non-ordained brother) are two expressions of the same vocation.' The non-ordained Dominican Brother is compelled to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ without the same sacramental responsibilities as the Dominican Clerical Brother. This means the non-ordained Brother has a greater freedom than a Clerical Brother to engage non-ecclesial ministries, activities, and leadership.
Dominican preaching cannot be done without Dominican Priests, and the preaching of Dominican Priests would be impoverished and less effective if not complimented by the preaching proper to non-ordained Brothers.
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