Who are we?
St. Dominic Priory is the home of twenty-three men who have decided to follow after St. Dominic of Guzman, who founded the Order of Preachers, commonly called the Dominicans, for Preaching and the Salvation of Souls. Dominic’s fledgling order was approved by Pope Honorius III on December 21, 1216. The Dominican Family is a world-wide order of the Catholic Church.
In the United States we have stated as our mission as to “communicate the Word of God through preaching, theological education, and the promotion of justice and peace. This mission in the Body of Christ demands a vowed community life, liturgical prayer, and life-long study.”
How Did We Get Here?
This community of Dominican men is a house of formation, or a sort of seminary, to use a word better known. It has a long and intimate association with Aquinas Institute of Theology, located near our priory. Both were founded as one in 1925 as a “House of Philosophy,” and later a “General Studium,” in River Forest, Illinois. Its purpose was the education and formation of young men into Dominican Priests and Cooperator Brothers. In 1950 this small school/formation house moved its theological component to Dubuque, Iowa. By the early 70’s the whole complex was located in Dubuque, Iowa. Gradually, though still under one roof, we became two entities: a school of theology and a formation community. As a school in Dubuque, Aquinas Institute was involved in an ecumenical venture. Desiring a more metropolitan environment and access to the advantages of a well-known Catholic university, we moved both the school and the formation community to Saint Louis in August of 1981. Until 2006, Aquinas Institute rented a building from Saint Louis University, with which is still maintains an academic agreement. In January of 2006, the school moved to its current location in a refurbished adding machine factory one block from the Saint Louis University campus.
Where Are We?
St. Dominic Priory rents two floors — the 5th and 6th — from the Jesuit Community of Jesuit Hall, and a chapel. The Jesuits and Dominicans share one dining room, but each has its own side so each can maintain its religious community.
Jesuit Hall was built as the Melbourne Hotel just before the 1929 stock market crash. It was a rather plush place for its time on upscale Grand Avenue. Over time, the neighborhood changed and the hotel declined. It was purchased by Saint Louis University and used as a residence for female students for several years. It was then purchased by the Jesuits to be used as a residence for the professors of Saint Louis University and a center for a number of Jesuit apostolates and interests. We Dominicans became one of those interests, moving here in 1981. Though we maintain our own distinct and individual religious communities, there is a very cordial relationship between us.
On the first floor are the dining facilities, reception desk and areas, one Jesuit Chapel and the Dominican Chapel. The second floor contains meeting rooms and Jesuit offices. The third and fourth floors are a fully staffed infirmary/nursing home for the Jesuits. We rent the 5th and 6th floors. Floors 8 – 15 (this old hotel has no 13th floor!) are home to about 75 Jesuits. Above the 15th floor, the loft is a delightful space used by all of us. It is a sort of den, solarium, open-air walk, and panoramic viewpoint for the city.
Who Is At St. Dominic Priory?
Presently there are twenty-three men who make up St. Dominic Priory. Though living together, we are divided roughly into two groups: the “Senior Community” composed of those who have completed their initial formation, and the “Formation Community,” comprised of those still being formed as Dominican Priests and Cooperator Brothers — the student brothers. There are nine members of the senior community. There are fourteen students. This house is a of the Order: the Central Province of St. Albert the Great, headquartered in Chicago.
What Are We Doing Here?
Our mission statement states that “We, the friars of St. Dominic Priory, St. Louis, Missouri, constitute a diverse interprovincial community committed to the initial formation of preachers in a spirit consistent with the mission statements of the Provinces of St. Albert the Great, focusing upon theological and ministerial education, vigorous liturgical life, discernment of Dominican vocation, mentoring preachers, service to the local Church, and exposure to issues of social justice.”
All of the students are being educated at Aquinas Institute of Theology. Of the senior community, we have two men working as an itinerant preachers, two are professors and administrators at Aquinas Institute, and two are professors and formation directors atKenrick-Glennon Seminary. One of our brothers is engaged full time in the direction and formation of our Dominican students, and one is the Promoter of the Dominican Laity of our province. All also work and minister in various apostolates and parishes of theArchdiocese
In the midst of feverish activity and study and ministry, we are a community devoted to common prayer. We gather in our chapel each morning for Morning Prayer and the Celebration of the Eucharist — always with preaching. We gather each evening to pray Evening Prayer, with preaching on Saturdays and Sundays. As much as our diverse schedules allow, we eat and play together! It is a vigorous, supportive, challenging and prayerful life we have together. You are invited to pray with us.
