Dominican Laity Menlo Park

WHO WE ARE

We are lay individuals who have professed to live a life according to the Rule of the Dominican Order. As people living in the world, we have chosen a way of life that seeks holiness for the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls. We strive for Christian perfection, according to our state in life, following in the footsteps of our holy father, St. Dominic by living the elements of our Dominican Life: Study, Prayer, Community Life and Apostolic Works.

We do this by attending daily Mass whenever possible, frequenting the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a month, making a yearly retreat and serving in an apostolate or a ministry in our parish. As Dominicans, we pursue the Truth through study of Sacred Scripture, theology and catechesis in order to preach God's Word by our lives. We also pray the Liturgy of the Hours and the Rosary, participating whenever possible with our Dominican family (friars, nuns and sisters) as well as making a holy hour of Eucharistic adoration weekly or whenever possible. We are loyal to the Pope as the Vicar of Christ and the Magisterium of the Holy Roman Catholic Church.

Our chapter of Corpus Christi meets once a month, on the third Sunday at the Corpus Christi Monastery in Menlo Park, California. We join the nuns for midday prayer and the Rosary, after which we gather in our chapter room to enjoy fellowship over lunch. We then continue with ongoing formation with the spiritual guidance of our chaplain and proceed with our regular meeting. The council meets after the regular meeting.

Chapter Council

Gloria Serpa, Prioress

Maria Rosario (Charo) Aguirre, Formation Director

Finola Glassmoyer, Secretary

Araceli Antonio, Treasurer and Lay Provincial Council Representative

Very Rev. James Disney Thompson, O.P. , Religious Assistant

Steps to Membership

Aspirancy : The Aspirant contacts the Prior/Prioress and meets with the chapter council. Upon approval by the council, the aspirant begins to attend the monthly meetings without obligation. The Aspirant must be a baptized and a practicing Roman Catholic for at least 2 years.

Postulancy : The Aspirant becomes a Postulant when he/she makes a commitment to one year of formation classes to learn the fundamentals of the Dominican way of life. The Postulant and the community evaluate one another.

Novitiate : The Postulant becomes a Novice when he/she completes the first year of formation, is ready to commit to the second year of formation and is formally received into the Order. It is a year of continuous study and full observance of the practices of the Dominican Laity. At Reception, the novice selects a special patron and receives the Scapular of the Order.

Profession : Upon acceptance by the community and successfully completing two years of formation, the novice becomes a professed member after making promises to live the Dominican life according to the Rule and Statutes of the Dominican Laity.