Lay
Dominicans Profess Vows
ST. LOUIS, MO February 6, 2009 --
Queen of the
Holy Rosary Chapter of Lay Dominicans in Saint Louis in the presence
of the Dominican friars of St. Dominican Priory and guests witnessed
the final promises of three of its members on Sunday, February
first. Michael Porterfield, O.P., Moderator of the Chapter,
received promises from Donna Chesanek, O.P., Robert Hughes, O.P,
and Kimberly Naegele, O.P. made to the Master General of the Order
of Preachers to live the Dominican charisms of prayer, study, community
and ministry for the rest of their lives. A fourth member,
Eleonore Stump, O.P., will make her final promise within the next
several months. At the same time Sebastian Mahfood was formally
received into candidacy.
Donna is a mother and grandmother involved in caring for her extended
family and in an internet ministry of prayer. Robert is a
physical therapist helping others in physical and spiritual rehabilitation. Kimberly
is completing her Master’s degree at Aquinas Institute and
an internship in social work as part of that degree. Eleonore
is a professor of philosophy at St. Louis University recognized
internationally for her expertise in medieval philosophy. Sebastian
teaches inter-cultural studies at Kenrick Seminary and assists
the seminary faculty with the use of contemporary technology in
theological education.
Lay Dominicans seek to live the charisms of the Dominican Order
in their lives as lay Catholics. Preparation for the final
promise involves a four to five year program of living the four
Dominican charisms or “pillars” that includes studying
the teachings of the contemporary Roman Catholic Church about the
lay vocation and the history and the present-day Order of Preachers,
and in particular of its lay branch. |