The International Dominican Foundation (IDF) is an organization founded at the beginning of the 21st century in order to further the rapidly expanding global mission of preaching and teaching the Word of God by the Dominicans, the Order of Preachers. The organization consist of lay people, religious brothers and sisters, and priests from North America inspired by the evangelical zeal of St. Dominic to preach, bless and praise Jesus Christ in our lives and we accept our Lord’s mission to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth.
The vision of IDF is the Dominican vision, a world where the Catholic faith can be lived, believed and shared with others in freedom and in truth so that more people may come to know the good news of Jesus Christ in freedom because good news is accepted with joy not imposed by force and in truth because it is the only way to be genuinely free
Founded in 2002, the IDF is a 501 (c) (3) organization which provides crucial monetary support to Dominican educational programs in Jerusalem, Rome, Cairo and other world centers. Without this support, the teachings of Christ in these regions would be diminished. Today, the IDF continues its mission to spread the Gospel of Christ and the charism of St. Dominic through stewardship of worthy projects that meet strict cultural, educational and religious guidelines.
At its Annual Meeting held in Atlanta June 12, 2012, the IDF Board began a new phase for the organization. The Board welcomed its new Chairman, H.E. Edward Cardinal Egan, (Cardinal Emeritus of New York City) and its new President, Fr. Michael Demkovich, OP. The IDF Board is a collaborative project bringing together bishops, Dominican provincials, friars & sisters, clergy and laity, to financially support the Order’s special projects.
The Projects of IDF
The Dominican Institute of Oriental Studies (IDEO) was founded in Cairo in 1953 at the request of the Holy See to open a dialogue, without proselytism, between Muslim and Christian scholars. It is home to one of the most extensive collections of works on Arabic culture and Islam and is recognized as a preeminent research institution by international scholars. The IDEO is comprised of a team of approximately twelve scholars, mainly Dominicans. Approximately ten of the scholars live in Cairo, where they devote themselves to the IDEO’s library and welcome visitors and readers. Those who live outside of Egypt lecture in universities or work in research centers such as the CNRS in France. Some twelve other scholars are supporting them. IDEO works toward better knowledge and understanding of the Arab-Muslim cultural heritage and toward the improvement of Islamic and Christian relations. (www.ideo-cairo.org)
The Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, (Angelicum). The Angelicum is one of the principle centres for intellectual life in the Order of Preachers. A House of Studies where St. Thomas Aquinas once taught, it sought and was granted pontifical status under the mastership of Blessed Hyacinth Cormier OP. Today it offers pontifical degrees up to the level of the doctorate in theology, philosophy, canon law and the social sciences. Each year it welcomes over 1200 seminarians, religious and laypeople from almost 100 different countries. The administration and teaching staff are mainly Dominicans, supported by a 70-strong convent of friars, which makes it one of the largest communities in the Order. The Angelicum is also the accrediting body for 15 higher learning institutes spread across the world (including Blackfriars Studium in Oxford). (www.pust.it)
The Ecole Biblique and French School of Archaeology. This world renowned centre of biblical study and archaeology produced the Jerusalem Bible and edits the Revue Biblique. Founded by the Dominican Marie-Joseph Lagrange in 1890, the Ecole continues to offer scholars of the Bible and the archaeology of the Holy Land a unique venue to study, teach and publish. There are twenty Dominican friars assigned to the Ecole and approximately forty postgraduates from different parts of the world in residence. Situated in East Jerusalem, the Ecole’s students and staff witness the inter-religious context of the modern world not as a subject of study only but as a real life experience. This sensitivity to different cultural and religious contexts has inspired the community to begin a new bible project called the Bible en ses traditions (‘BEST’). BEST will not be yet another Catholic bible, but one that can be read ‘catholically,’ that is with equal attention given to the Scriptural text and the Traditions of reception, including Jewish, Protestant and Orthodox readings. (www.ebaf.info)
As a follow-up, IDF plans regular pilgrimages to these Projects, with educational offerings by the friars and professors, updates on the status of the projects, excursions to other places of interest in the nearby areas. To Cairo where we can visit the Institute of Oriental Studies and travel up the Nile to the ancient temple sites. At the Ecole Biblique in Jerusalem, where we can visit the holy sites and travel to Galilee and the Dead Sea to learn more about the Dead Sea Scrolls. At the Angelicum in Rome, where we can have short courses taught by world renowned instructors on the Church today, the art to be found in Rome, the Vatican museum, Santa Sabina and other wonderful Dominican sites.
IDF Associates
In June of 2008, the IDF Board under the direction of Fr. Carlos Aspiroz Costa O.P., Master of the Order, gave approval for the foundation of the IDF Associates, a select group of supporters, both lay and religious, formed to assist with Dominican projects around the world, and to help the Dominicans bring the good news of Jesus Christ to new peoples and new places.
As members, associates will be:
- Remembered always in a special way in the prayers and Masses of the Dominican friars.
- Invited to the festivities leading up to the special 800th anniversary celebrations in Rome in 2016.
- Given information about opportunities to attend annual pilgrimages visiting the IDF projects.
- Enrolled automatically for timely newsletters with reports on and photos of the IDF projects.
Right now, the goal of IDF is to enroll 800 Associates to commemorate the 800 years since St. Dominic founded the Order of Preachers in 1216. Associates are asked to give $100 or more annually to the IDF.
This past year the International Dominican Foundation was able to make grants of approximately $270,000.00 because of support from generous people from all over the world. A major part of this disbursement went to our school in Rome, the Angelicum, according to the established policies of three funds, the William E. Simon Scholarship, the McCadden-McQuirk Foundation, and the Réginald de Rocquois Foundation. These funds support the theological study of lay and religious students for service in the Church from around the world. In addition, grants were made to the École Biblique for its exciting project to bring together the various traditions of biblical interpretation— Catholic, Christian and non-Christian. Funds were also given to IDEO, our project in Cairo, to develop its library and information technology. In the midst of a changing Egypt, IDEO provides a resource for religious and cultural traditions.
Apart from being an associate, there are two other ways to contribute to the projects of IDF;
- you can send a check to us, via the address and PDF form below.
- you can donate through PayPal. PayPal is a safe secure service used by IDF for receiving online donations. To donate through Paypal, please click here to be taken to the online donation section.
If you wish to mail in your contribution, please fill out the downloadable form by clicking here: IDF Donation Form.
Mail in your form and check to:
International Dominican Foundation
1 Galleria Blvd., Suite 710-B
Metairie, LA 70001
USA