Lay Dominicans

St. Peter Chapter, Lay Dominicans

Laity were associated with St. Dominic when he began his work of preaching by word and example in 1205 when lay converts and others helped him. The first Rule of the Third Order of Saint Dominic was promulgated in 1285.

Many canonized saints as well as martyrs, venerables and blesseds were members of the Third Order of Saint Dominic, including St. Catherine of Siena, a Doctor of the Church; St. Martin de Porres, and  St. Rose of Lima. In the twentieth century, the name was changed from Third Order to Lay Fraternities of Saint Dominic or Lay Dominicans.

As part of the Dominican Family, lay members strive to follow Jesus in the way that all Dominican friars, nuns or sisters do, but make promises, not vows, as they live and work in the usual roles of wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, single people, young and old.  As such, they adapt the four pillars of Dominican spirituality to their way of being in the world: Prayer (public and private), Study, Community, and Preaching (apostolate).

The local group known as the St Peter Chapter meets at 2:00 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month except June and August. Members build community, then have a time of study and group prayer. We plan our common ministry primarily with the Memphis Dorothy Day House and conclude with a short discussion/business meeting.

Each chapter in the Southern province is self governing, electing officers every three years by secret ballot and officers are limited to serving for two consecutive terms. A voting member and other representatives from all of the chapters meet once every three years at the provincial level to elect officers for the Southern Province and to discuss and vote on proposed amendments to the Rule and Directory.

For more information about Lay Dominicans contact:

Mr. Ted Krausser, O.P. at [email protected] or Mr. Bill Robinson, O.P. at [email protected].