The Dominican Friars of the Southern Province

Pope Benedict Remarks on the Life of Saint Dominic

In his February 3, 2010 general audience, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about the life and work of St. Dominic de Guzman, the founder of the Order of Preachers. The text of his talk follows below.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Last week I presented the luminous figure of Francis of Assisi; today I would like to speak to you of another saint who, in the same period, made an essential contribution to the renewal of the Church of his time. It is St. Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers, known also as the Dominican Friars.

Pope Benedict’s Address on the Mendicant Orders

On the Mendicant Orders
Shown below is a translation of the January 13, 2010 address Benedict XVI delivered during the general audience in Paul VI Hall. His topic of the mendicant religious orders speaks directly to our Dominican charism and life.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
At the beginning of the new year, we look at the history of Christianity, to see how a history develops and how it can be renewed.

Spring Vocation Discernment Weekend

When you first come to realize God may be calling you to serve Him as a priest or brother, it sometimes feels as though you’re the only person in the world with a vocation. The Dominican Experience Weekend (DEW) provides an opportunity for you to join with other men discerning a vocation and explore religious and Dominican life. Our Spring 2009 Vocation Weekend is scheduled for February 26 - 28, 2010.

Australian Dominican Appointed Bishop

Bishop Anthony C. Fisher was appointed on Friday by Pope Benedict XVI as bishop of Parramatta, Australia. Bishop Fisher, 49, who currently serves as auxiliary bishop of Sydney, was Coordinator of the 2008 World Youth Day and is credited for his extensive work in helping organize it. “It is a very great privilege to be entrusted with this role of leadership and service in the vibrant young diocese of Parramatta,” Bishop Fisher said on Friday.

A Christmas Message from the Prior Provincial

Dear Brothers,
The Word was the real light
that gives light to everyone;
he was coming into the world.
He was in the world
that had come into being through him,
and the world did not recognize him.

Anniversary of the Approval of the Order of Preachers

Seven hundred ninety-three years ago today, Pope Honorius III gave official ecclesiastical approval to the Order of Preachers. Hundreds of years later, we the followers of St. Dominic continue his legacy of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the salvation of souls. Please join us in thanking God for His many blessings on the Order and pray that he continue to send us vocations dedicated to following in the footsteps of our Holy Father Dominic.

Below is an excerpt from the Bull of Approval:
Honorius, bishop, servant of the servants of God, to the beloved sons Dominic, prior of St. Romanus in Toulouse, and his brethren, both present and future, professed in the regular life. In perpetuum.

Fr. Tom Reviews “The Blind Side”

It’s hard to be totally objective about a movie based on a true story that occurred in the city where I live. A few days after it opened, a parishioner told me that I had to see The Blind Side because it “does Memphis proud.” That’s a pretty good recommendation for a much maligned city.

Happily, there are many good things to be said about this true story of a wealthy suburban Memphis family, Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy, their daughter Collins, and son S.J. (Sean, Jr.). 

Fr. Tom Reviews - Fantastic Mr. Fox

Based on the children’s book by Roald Dahl (who also wrote Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Fantastic Mr. Fox tells the story of a fox who promises to turn from his crafty ways of stealing chickens from local farmers. But, hey, he’s a fox! And foxes are, by nature, crafty. So needless to say, Mr. Fox is soon reverts back to his old ways, driving the local farmers Boggis, Bunce, and Bean to distraction. Wonderfully voiced by George Clooney, Mr. Fox is as smooth and charming as Clooney’s character in Ocean’s 11.

Fr. Tom Reviews “Precious”

The actual title of this fine new movie is one of the most awkward I’ve ever heard: Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire. Apparently a forgettable movie named Push opened earlier this year and stole the novel’s title. Despite the awkwardness of the title, Precious is anything but forgettable. I imagine anyone who sees it will remember this tough, but ultimately hopeful film, for a long time. It’s certainly one of the bright spots in a mediocre movie year.

Three Brothers Ordained Deacons

On Saturday, December 12, 2009, our brothers Dominic Colangelo, O.P., Eduardo Logiste O.P, and Jorge Rativa, O.P. were ordained to the Order of Deacons. The Mass of Ordination began at 10:00am at Saint Dominic Parish Church in New Orleans Louisiana with the Most Rev. Gregory Aymond, Archbishop of New Orleans presiding.  After the ordination ceremony