Letter from the Prior Provincial
On June 10, I was elected Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Joseph at our quadrennial Provincial Chapter. I am very humbled to accept this office and know that I only fulfill it through God’s Grace and with the prayers and support of all those who are friends of our Province.
One of the sacred duties of the Prior Provincial is to receive the vows of men entering our Order on behalf of the Master of the Order. On August 15 in Cincinnati, Ohio, nine men made profession into my hands, becoming new members of our Province. These men had completed a year of formation as novices. After profession, they headed to the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC, to begin their academic studies. As they departed, we welcomed 12 new novices who were vested in the habit of the Order to begin their year as novices.
The Prior Provincial not only welcomes new members into the Order but also cares for those who have given lives of service in the Order. Shortly after receiving the vows of the new friars, I had the privilege to celebrate the Funeral Mass for Fr. Gregory Doherty, O.P., one of our friars who died at the age of 91. Fr. Gregory made his own profession over 70 years ago and served as a missionary in Pakistan and the Philippines for over 55 years.
We are very thankful for all our benefactors who make our lives possible, and to God who has continued to bless us with the gift of vocations. We pray that through His Grace, these vocations may bear fruit in His Church for many years to come.
Very Rev. Darren Pierre, O.P.
Prior Provincial