The Catholic intellectual tradition has long benefited from the work of the Order of Preachers, beginning with their founder, Saint Dominic, and the Angelic Doctor, Saint Thomas Aquinas. One feature of the Dominican contribution throughout the centuries has been the ability to apply the Truth of Jesus Christ and the teachings of His Church to the current day. Dominicana continues in this tradition by offering interesting and timely examinations of theology, philosophy, and culture. This is a great service to the New Evangelization and I heartily commend the ongoing efforts of the Dominican Studium.
In 1916, the brothers of the Dominican Province of Saint Joseph began to publish a student-run journal out of the basement of the House of Studies in Washington, D.C. They called the journal Dominicana, as it offered a wide variety of articles on matters theological and Dominican and contained news about the Province. The challenge of writing and editing the journal provided an opportunity for them to grow in zeal for the Dominican charism.
Publication of Dominicana ceased in 1968 but was revived in the spring of 2011. From fiction to theology, interviews to book reviews, debates to poetry, each issue of the journal strives to offer its readers a uniquely contemplative and Dominican perspective on an expansive array of topics. The relaunch set Dominicana on a bold new course, as the journal expanded into the digital world. In addition to the annual print edition of the journal, the Dominicana website publishes short weekly posts and in-depth essays.
Our Order’s Fundamental Constitution says that “the Order of Friars Preachers, founded by St. Dominic, is known to have been established, from the beginning, for preaching and the salvation of souls.” We strive to speak always “to God or about God” and to imitate the Apostles’ own way of life, as did our father St. Dominic. Our preaching is shaped and impelled by our daily celebration of the Mass and the Divine Office. This then is our singular aim: the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, whose name we labor to spread to the ends of the earth. With the help of God’s grace, we pray that our work in Dominicana will make us more zealous preachers of the Gospel and serve in some way to draw our readers closer to the Lord Jesus Christ.
The work of Dominicana Journal is a sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of the American Church today. These young Dominicans are contributing mightily to the work of evangelizing the academy.
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From academic articles to contemplative musings, Dominicana has something for everyone.
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