Eleven young men took a significant next step in their journey toward the Dominican priesthood as they received the habit of the Order of Friars Preachers Aug. 8, the Solemnity of St. Dominic. They have formally begun their novitiate year and are now ensconced at St. Gertrude's Priory in Cincinnati, sharing quarters for one week with nine candidates who will wrap up their novitiate Aug. 15, Feast of the Assumption, when they will make their First Profession before relocating to the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. For first-person introductions to the new novices, please click here.

The Province of St. Joseph is celebrating its bounty of vocations right as a new study shows the preference for traditional orders on the part of young men and women contemplating entering a religious congregation. The executive director of the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate summarized the key findings as follows: "They're more attracted to a traditional style of religious life, where there is community living, common prayer, having Mass together, praying the Liturgy of the Hours together. They are much more likely to say fidelity to the church is important to them. And they really are looking for communities where members wear habits." For a report on the study, please click here.