Praying with the Dominicans: To Praise, to Bless, to Preach

by John Vidmar, Maureen Sullivan (Foreword)

Ever since St. Dominic de Guzmán founded the Order of Preachers 800 years ago, Dominican men and women have continued to shape Catholic spirituality, challenging the faithful to know God in their minds and to love God in their hearts. Praying with the Dominicans is a wellspring of Dominican prayer from the thirteenth to the twentieth centuries. Dominican spirituality emphasizes the goodness of the created world as the handiwork of a loving God. Author John Vidmar, OP, presents a generous sampling of this rich spiritual tradition in the form prayers, meditations, poems, hymns, devotions, and reflections. Within this book the reader will find an account of St. Dominic's nine ways of prayer, along with the Eucharistic writings of Thomas Aquinas. St. Catherine of Siena is prominently featured, as are contemporary English Dominicans Timothy Radcliffe and Bede Jarrett, Dominican theologian Mary Catherine Hilkert, Dominican inspirational poet Maryanna Childs, and many others. Also included are selections representing the vibrant tradition of Dominican Marian devotion. Illustrations and musical samples accompany the text. No comparable single-volume source offers such a diverse collection of Dominican prayer and thought. This book will guide, enlighten, and inspire anyone who wishes to experience the dynamic charism of the Order of Preachers.

78 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2008

About the author

Rev. John C. Vidmar, O.P. is an associate professor of theology at Providence College, Rhode Island where he also serves as provincial archivist and teaches history.

Prior to his work at Providence, he served as associate professor, academic dean, acting president and prior teaching history for 15 years at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington DC. He also taught history at Ohio Dominican University.

Vidmar holds a Doctorate in Sacred Theology (S.T.D.) from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome, Italy, and a Master of Philosophy degree from the University of Edinburgh (Scotland) in Ecclesiastical History.

Reviews

[Robert Heckner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful compendium of Dominican spirituality.

[Richard Grebenc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful little book filled with profound quotes, short excerpts, prayers, poetry, and song. A volume that can be turned to again and again for inspiration.