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The Dominican friar’s preaching, coupled with his sacramental ministry of reconciliation, constitutes a major part of his path to holiness. His whole life, the whole structure of his religious life and of the Order of Preachers, the fraternal life, the life of prayer – both liturgical and personal, his study, is entirely directed to preaching God’s Word and to restoring, or indeed to initiating, communion with God within the Body of Christ. This does not mean that a Dominican who never preaches a homily or never once hears a sacramental confession is entirely lost. No. There are some who spend their time and their energy supporting others in doing the traditional work of preaching and hearing confessions and this is the role the Order has legitimately given them. Teaching young Dominicans, forming them, administering our communities, material goods and finances are among some of the roles which prevent a Dominican friar from engaging directly in preaching. Without them, Dominican preaching would not be possible. Neither are the other aspects of Dominican life to be denigrated if we say they take time and energy away from preaching. All aspects of Dominican life – fraternal life, prayer and study – are essential to ensuring Dominican preaching remains precisely that: Dominican. It is in being true to our calling as Dominican preachers that we remain in our path to holiness, to communion with God.
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