Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Friends in Christ,
At this year’s Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage, Fr. James Sullivan, O.P., our principal preacher for the day, began his preaching with an image from a sign he saw this past summer in New Hampshire, which read, “The goal of life is living in agreement with nature.” Fr. James explained that to live in agreement with our human nature is to live as God intended us to live. God intends us to live, and we were made to live, in the direction that leads to him—Godward.
The Blessed Virgin Mary leads us Godward through her shining example and powerful intercession. As Dominican Friars we lead others to Mary, so that she can show us all the Way—her son, Jesus Christ. During the annual Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage eloquent preaching and fervent prayer bring many souls to Jesus through Mary. Over 3,000 pilgrims from all over the country joined us in person in Washington, DC this year along with thousands more who participated via the event livestream and the televised Mass.
Dominicans preach the gospel at all times and in all places, from the high pulpit at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to highways, byways, halls, stages, and fields throughout the country. The Hillbilly Thomists, a band of 8 friars, took their musical gifts and their fourth album, Marigold, on tour this summer. Through their theologically insightful lyrics and catchy melodies, they preached to packed audiences for the glory of God and the salvation of souls!
As the Apostles were aided by the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, so our work as Dominican Friars would not be possible without the prayers of the Dominican nuns, who ceaselessly pray for us friars and the people we serve. St. Dominic knew this when he founded the Order of Preachers, and so he founded the first monastery of Dominican nuns even before assembling the first friars. Our friars continue to serve as chaplains for the cloistered Dominican nuns whose prayers have sustained the work of the Order of Preachers for over 800 years.
I know, also, that our work would not be possible without your prayers and support. If you have not yet made an annual gift to support our young men in formation for the priesthood, please consider giving to our annual Matching Challenge for Vocations. Between now and December 31, your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $350,000 to ensure a high quality formation for the next generation of Dominican preachers. I am so thankful for your partnership in our Dominican mission of preaching for the salvation of souls.
May you and your family have a blessed Advent and a Merry Christmas! Let us continue to pray for one another, asking for Our Lady’s intercession, as we gather around the manger to adore our newborn King of Kings and, through him, go Godward together.
In Christ and St. Dominic,
Fr. John Paul Kern, O.P.
Executive Director
Dominican Friars Foundation
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Photo Credit: Jeffrey Bruno
The Dominican Foundation of Dominican Friars Province of St. Joseph, Inc. is a NY State tax-exempt corporation under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, with
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