Spiritual Formation

On the spiritual level, the Student Master oversees the process of spiritual formation for both the clerical and the cooperator student brother while the Master of Cooperator Brothers specifically oversees the ministerial formation of the cooperator brother and ensures that he develops his unique identity as a cooperator brother within the common brotherhood of all the friars. Besides the normal schedule of the Divine Office, Mass, meals and classes, the Student Master offers weekly “chapter” talks on religious life. He conducts private interviews with each student to mutually assess progress and note areas that need to be worked on. In addition to the Master of Cooperator Brothers, the Student Master is assisted by the “Formation Council” with whom he meets monthly. This council consists of the Assistant Student Master, the President of the Pontifical Faculty, the Dean of the Pontifical Faculty, the Director of Pastoral Ministry and the Prior of the House of Studies. When the three years of simple vows is completed, the student brother professes solemn vows for life or renews his temporary vows for another year. He can renew his vows a year at a time up to three more years after which he must make a final decision to stay or leave. Upon solemn profession, the clerical student brother prepares for ordination to the diaconate within the year and priestly ordination about 1.5 years later.

Intellectual Formation

The academic program for clerical student brothers comprises philosophical and theological studies over 6 years. Studies begin with two years of philosophy followed by three years of theology, at the end of which the clerical student will have completed requirements for both the pontifical degree (called the Bachelor in Sacred Theology or S.T.B.) and the Master of Divinity (M. Div.) degree. Dominican clerical student brothers are required to take 5 years of theology. After completing the three years of theology for the STB/M. Div, there is the possibility of doing a two-year program to obtain the Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL). A student is admitted to this degree program upon the approval of the Pontifical Faculty. Since priestly Ordination comes after the 4th year of theology, those who are on the “STL track” will remain at the Dominican House of Studies for another year beyond Ordination. Those not on the STL track will round out their 4th year of theology before Ordination with elective courses in theology and practicums for priestly ministry before receiving their first pastoral assignment somewhere in the Province. Their 5th year of theology then becomes a year of “complementary studies” which must be begun within 5 years of priestly ordination. The course of studies at the Dominican House of Studies places particular emphasis on acquiring a solid foundation in the theological method of St. Thomas Aquinas (whose approach has been highly recommended by popes through the centuries and who was the only theologian singled out by the Second Vatican Council in its decree on priestly ministry as a sure guide in theological studies). The students can avail themselves of courses and resources outside the House of Studies through our membership in the Consortium of Theological Schools.

Ministerial Formation

From the ministerial aspect, academic courses and various apostolates are arranged to give both clerical and cooperator students the opportunity to prepare for Orders and ministry respectively in a supervised setting. These programs help the individual discover his particular strengths and weaknesses. Courses in pastoral ministry aim to assist the student to reflect on and develop prudent ways to apply sound principles of theology to concrete pastoral situations. Apostolates vary from catechetical work, RCIA programs, helping in nursing homes, classroom teaching, parish and campus ministry, etc.. These apostolates are set up in the metropolitan area during the school year whereas summers allow students to take up apostolates in other locations where the Province has communities. Such placements afford student brothers a unique opportunity to experience life in another community of friars outside a house of formation.