Sacred Study and the Dominican Charism

Sacred study is a core aspect of Dominican life, and this is especially true in the studentate, where study is the primary activity to which we are called. As the Constitutions of our Order state, "St. Dominic included study, ordained to the ministry of salvation, as an essential part of his plan for the Order."

• Study should be aimed primarily for the salvation of souls.


• Study should prepare us for "doctrinal service to the Church"


• Study is based upon Sacred Scripture and Tradition, which together constitute a single sacred deposit of Truth.


• "In all things the brethren should think with the Church and exhibit allegiance to the varied exercise of the Magisterium"


• A significant amount of study should be devoted to the Fathers of the Church and other "distinguished witnesses of Christian thought"


• In all these things, the brethren should imitate St. Thomas Aquinas, who is "the best teacher and model" of this type of study, and they should "develop a genuine familiarity with his writings and thought"

We invite you to explore below, some of the riches of the Dominican tradition of study.