The question was posed at last night's chapter meeting of what distinguishes a vocation to the Dominican laity from the common vocation of all baptised Christians to seek holiness and perfection.
In answer let me quote Fr. Joret in Dominican Life (Blackfriars, 1958)
Two things would certainly place him [the Tertiary] in a more favourable position for striving after Christian perfection. In the first instance, his condition on entering the Third Order would receive a new direction which would regulate his duties and extend them. Then he would be under a stricter obligation to fulfill those duties and would be less liable to omit them. His profession would consequently give him a twofold aim towards the acquisition of greater merits ...
In view of the perfection which he is bound, like any other Christian, to strive for amid the duties of his secular life, the Tertiary has at his disposal special means which are well proved and which have been long since canonized by the Church. They are the Rule and way of life required by the Third Order of which he forms part. Besides the accomplishment of the ordinary precepts and the duties proper to his state, there are definite observances prescribed for him, especially assiduous prayer, as far as possible liturgical prayer, the practice of mortification, and apostolic and charitable works for the Faith and the Church, according to his particular state or condition in life.
The ordinary Christian may, of course, in a moment of fervour make lie resolutions, impose upon himself similar penances, perform identical religious exercises, and devote himself to the same apostolic or charitable works. But in his case the acts will be more or less spasmodic, at the mercy of chance and the impulse of the passing moment: sooner or later circumstances or instability of character are likely to lead to their being dropped altogether. The Tertiary, on the other hand, by a choice long considered and really personal, by a decision taken when he was completely master of himself, has made profession to lead this life until his death.
Far be it to liken the simple Christian who is concerned with his perfection to a man who is a law to himself or who plays fast and loose with the spiritual life. But the Tertiary is undoubtedly admitted into a training school of spirituality and make a profession of Christian perfection. If he is fully conscious of his Profession, if he takes seriously its emblems which he wears, he will continue unremittingly to strive after perfection according to the principles and practice of his school.
In answer let me quote Fr. Joret in Dominican Life (Blackfriars, 1958)
Two things would certainly place him [the Tertiary] in a more favourable position for striving after Christian perfection. In the first instance, his condition on entering the Third Order would receive a new direction which would regulate his duties and extend them. Then he would be under a stricter obligation to fulfill those duties and would be less liable to omit them. His profession would consequently give him a twofold aim towards the acquisition of greater merits ...
In view of the perfection which he is bound, like any other Christian, to strive for amid the duties of his secular life, the Tertiary has at his disposal special means which are well proved and which have been long since canonized by the Church. They are the Rule and way of life required by the Third Order of which he forms part. Besides the accomplishment of the ordinary precepts and the duties proper to his state, there are definite observances prescribed for him, especially assiduous prayer, as far as possible liturgical prayer, the practice of mortification, and apostolic and charitable works for the Faith and the Church, according to his particular state or condition in life.
The ordinary Christian may, of course, in a moment of fervour make lie resolutions, impose upon himself similar penances, perform identical religious exercises, and devote himself to the same apostolic or charitable works. But in his case the acts will be more or less spasmodic, at the mercy of chance and the impulse of the passing moment: sooner or later circumstances or instability of character are likely to lead to their being dropped altogether. The Tertiary, on the other hand, by a choice long considered and really personal, by a decision taken when he was completely master of himself, has made profession to lead this life until his death.
Far be it to liken the simple Christian who is concerned with his perfection to a man who is a law to himself or who plays fast and loose with the spiritual life. But the Tertiary is undoubtedly admitted into a training school of spirituality and make a profession of Christian perfection. If he is fully conscious of his Profession, if he takes seriously its emblems which he wears, he will continue unremittingly to strive after perfection according to the principles and practice of his school.
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12:03 PM
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