Become a Friar
Are you called to preach for the Salvation of Souls?
God has made each of us to know and love him according to a particular vocation in this life. That vocation is our path to know and love him for eternity. Jesus Christ calls some men to follow him in the priesthood and in religious life. Consecrated to the word of God, Dominican friars live a fraternal life of prayer and study, having one heart and one mind seeking God, and preach the saving truth of Jesus Christ for the salvation of souls.
Getting Started
Initial Inquiry
If a man believes that the Lord might be calling him to be a Dominican friar, he should pursue this desire through regular prayer, frequent reception of the sacraments, and learning about the Order of Preachers. During the inquiry phase, he should explore our websites, visit Dominican ministries and attend events hosted by the friars, consider attending a vocation weekend, and contact the Director of Vocations.
Aspirancy
After initial Inquiry, a man considers more seriously what entering religious life will entail and deepens his routine of prayer, study, frequent confession, and daily Mass. During this time, the aspirant will be in regular communication with the Director of Vocations and will be invited to get to know the Dominican friars better through further visits to different communities.
Application
If both the aspirant and the Director of Vocations agree, the man may request an application. Ultimately it is the Vocations Council and the Prior Provincial who permit a man to apply to the novitiate.
Sound Formation
Novitiate
ST. GERTRUDE PRIORY • CINCINNATI, OHIO
Having been admitted to the Province, the man begins his Dominican formation by entering the novitiate at St. Gertrude’s Priory in Cincinnati, OH. On the Feast of St. Dominic (August 8), he is clothed with the habit of the Order of Preachers, receives his religious name, and begins to live the life of a Dominican friar as a novice.
Philosophy
DOMINICAN HOUSE OF STUDIES • WASHINGTON, D.C.
After completing the novitiate year and professing the Order’s vow of obedience, the newly professed friar moves to the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. Formation in the studium focuses on four areas: human formation, spiritual formation, intellectual formation, and pastoral formation. Friars begin their studies with two years of philosophy.
Theology
DOMINICAN HOUSE OF STUDIES • WASHINGTON, D.C.
Dominican friars typically study four years of theology (principally guided by the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas), participate in a regular life of liturgical prayer, and are assigned to various part-time ministries. During a brother’s fifth year in the studium he may profess Solemn Vows and be ordained to the diaconate. In the final year before ordination to the priesthood, friars serve as deacons in local parishes and live at St. Dominic Priory in Washington, D.C., while completing theological studies at the Dominican House of Studies.
Priesthood
PROVINCE OF ST. JOSEPH
After ordination to the priesthood, a Dominican friar is prepared to preach the saving truth of Jesus Christ and reconcile men and women to God through the sacraments. Dominican friars are assigned to serve in a variety of ministries, including parishes, campus ministries, universities, seminaries, hospital chaplaincies, media apostolates, and itinerant preaching.
JOIN US
Upcoming Vocations Events
June 5, 2025
Priesthood Ordination
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Washington, DC
September 19-21, 2025
Vocation Weekend
Dominican House of Studies
Washington, DC
September 27, 2025
Rosary Pilgrimage
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Washington, DC
