Veritas - From the APRIM

Veritas - From the APRIM

The Dominican charism rings loud through my contribution to this issue. As much as we adore St Dominic and all things Dominican, we cannot lose sight of the fact that St Dominic followed Christ in simplicity, the preferential option for the poor and the love of His Father and the Holy Spirit. It was St Dominic’s mission to bring souls to God through Christ. This issue is a testament to the legacy of St Dominic’s way of spreading the Gospel.

On Common Ground

During the recent school holidays, I had the pleasure of taking four Year 11 students to the biennial Dominican Education Australia Conference – On Common Ground. The conference was held at Nunyara Conference Centre, Belair over three days and two nights and followed the theme Preaching the Gospel in Our Times. There were a variety of engaging talks from two American lay Dominican preachers, Michael Petro and Patrick Spedale, as well as several Sisters. The Americans evangelised and provided all present with a tangible message on St Dominic and the Four Pillars. The Sisters shared stories of their work and that of their peers in the most difficult of places around the world, including Iraq and North Vietnam. In her presentation, one Sister acknowledged St Dominic but emphasised Christ as the centre and opened up scripture for those present.

There were also a variety of workshops and opportunities for students to meet each other and forge relationships. The conference was attended by several Dominican schools from the eastern states as well as St Dominic’s Auckland. South Australia’s four Dominican schools (St Mary’s, St Dominic’s, Cabra and Blackfriars) also attended. I found the conference to be educational, energetic and engaging. Our students represented Blackfriars with pride and enjoyed themselves. Their following testimonies are the best indication of that:

The 2018 On Common Ground Camp was something to revel in. It was an experience like no other; laughter, knowledge, insight, a new dawn. For what was to come from the mouths of all the guest speakers that came from both the backyard and on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, was something to marvel in. It provided a new, different perspective on what a Dominican is. It turns out we all are, in our own little way. If we seek truth through the four pillars of Prayer, Study, Community and Service, we find Veritas. If we fill our weaknesses with other people’s strengths, then we can be anything. If we can listen to ourselves from deep within, like Dadirri (deep listening to deep), let our minds wander, then we can think of anything and be anything. It gives us a fresh perspective on our life. In combination with other Dominican schools from around the country and New Zealand, we could all bond and connect under the same common denominator. Great food, great accommodation, great new friends: a trip that leaves us sounding the mighty Dominic’s praises indeed.

- Francesco Freda

On Common Ground 2018 was a breathtaking experience. It gave me the opportunity to meet new people and make new memories with them. My time there was a memory that I’ll cherish forever. The people that attended this event brought a positive vibe to the venue thus lightening the overall mood. Having attended the On Common Ground Conference 2018 presented a great opportunity to collaborate with interstate and international schools.

– Mathews Giji Manchappillil

The On Common Ground Dominican Conference was an eye-opening, inspiring experience I will never forget. The collaboration between international and interstate schools allowed us all to contribute innovative ideas to fulfil the pillars of service and prayer.

- Declan Fitch-Woolford

The On Common Ground camp was an amazing and enlightening experience where I was able to deepen my understanding of the Dominican tradition in ways I hadn’t previously thought of. It was incredible to see so many other people my age from Australia and New Zealand that wanted to grow their own faith in the Dominican tradition. Being there was the experience of a lifetime and I will never forget it.

- Philip Clark

Visiting American Lay Dominican Preachers

The two American speakers who presented at the On Common Ground Conference were available to visit schools, so we were fortunate enough to have them deliver presentations to Year 11s and Year 9s. Michael Petro spoke evangelistically of the Four Pillars and made their application more tangible for our students. Patrick Spedale gave an excellent impersonation of St Dominic and described his life. He is pictured above in his role as St Dominic.

Blessed Jana of Aza

“Mother of Saint Dominic and Blessed Mannes, Blessed Jane was born of the prominent d’Aza family and married Felix de Guzman. Three of their children spent their lives in the service of the Church: Anthony, Mannes and Dominic. An early source describes her as “virtuous, chaste, prudent, and full of compassion for the poor and the afflicted; among all the women of the region she was outstanding for her good reputation.”

According to tradition, Jane had a dream before her son’s conception in which she saw a hound racing through the world igniting everything with a flaming torch. Troubled by this dream, she went to pray at the Benedictine abbey of San Domingo de Silos, located in a pleasant valley about 20 miles north of Caleruega. This dream was indeed prophetic. Dominic did ignite the world with sacred truth through preaching and teaching born from a life of dedicated prayer, love for the Word of God, and a burning desire to gain souls for Christ. It is widely believed that Dominic’s keen sensitivity to the sufferings of others, which he displayed from childhood on, was acquired from his mother, who, although from a noble family, was known for her compassion toward the poor and needy. From her Dominic also acquired the habit of prayer.” – Dominican Friars Foundation, https://dominicanfriars.org/blessed-jane-of-aza/

When one considers the dream of this 12th century noble woman, and extrapolates it through all the impact of St Dominic and the Order of Preachers to events such as On Common Ground and the impact it has on the youth of today, one can only ponder in awe the good and mysterious works of God!

St Dominic’s Day – Feast Day 8 August 

St Dominic is indeed someone worth celebrating with a feast! He was born in Caleruega, Spain in 1170 to nobility. He was named Dominic through the combination of two Latin words – ‘Domini’ meaning God and ‘canis’ meaning dog – the Lords Dog. This is related to the dream of his mother, Blessed Jane of Aza mentioned above. Dominic studied theology extensively and lived the teachings of Christ through his simplicity and generosity to the poor, through selling possessions to raise money to help them. He even tried to sell himself to slavery to help them.

He became a Benedictine priest, then his travels in service of the functions of the Church led him to discover the heresies of Albigensians or Cathars, and through his preaching led many of the heretics back to the true faith. In 1206 he facilitated the foundation of the first order of nuns under his advice at the Notre-Dame-de-Prouille Monastery which remains to this day.

His persistent and unique work as an itinerant preacher was unusual at the time and he sought permission for the foundation of his own order that would follow the way of the Four Pillars. The Order of Preachers was formed in 1216 and rapidly expanded through Europe and ultimately the world.

Much more could be written about the traditions he set and his work until his death in 1221. The Catholic Church, and indeed the whole human race was indeed blessed to receive St Dominic as a gift from God, and he certainly did set the world ablaze through his dedication to Christ’s teachings of love.

Here at Blackfriars we will celebrate St Dominic’s Day on Wednesday 8 August with a variety of activities. It will begin with Mass at 10:00am, followed by an extended recess. Students will participate in novel curriculum-based activities before a variety of lunch stalls and fun activities open and run until 2:00pm. For each purchase at a food stall or activity students receive a raffle ticket. At 2:00pm, students will assemble for a raffle draw in which a multitude of prizes can be won, before being dismissed early at 2:30pm. Funds raised go to Dominican Charitable Works.

St Mary of the Cross Mackillop – Feast Day 8 August

St Mary MacKillop (1842-1909) was canonised on 17 October 2010 making her the first Australian saint. 

She was a remarkable woman during a difficult time of our fledgling country. She faced challenges throughout her life but was steadfast in her resolve to educate Australian children, particularly the poor. She founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart – an order that expanded internationally. I, along with millions of Australians, was educated at a Josephite primary school.

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