Philippine E-Journals

Lay Brotherhood in the Dominican Order

Cecilio Vladimir Magboo | Rolando V. De La Rosa

 

Abstract:

The Order of Preachers is clerical. Although clerical in nature, it has lay brothers who are considered an integral part of the Order. Its founder, St. Dominic, included lay brothers to be an essential element to fulfill its mission. However, the role of the lay brothers in the Order of Preachers has evolved. These changes were to a great extent an influence of changes within the Church and the social order as a whole.

The acceptance of native Filipino vocations to the Dominican Order in the early 20th century signaled the birth of Filipino Dominican cooperator-brothers. Since its foundation in 1971, the Dominican Province of the Philippines has continuously been at work to make the status of lay brotherhood relevant with the times. The Dominican Order in the Philippines is considered to be blessed. It had as its first native Filipino vocation to cooperator-brotherhood a holy and outstanding man, Gregorio Hontomin. He is presently being considered as a possible candidate for beatification.