Dominican Brothers: Conversi, Lay, and Cooperator Friars

by Augustine Thompson

Dominican Conversi, Lay, and Cooperator Friars by the noted Dominican author and historian, Fr. Augustine Thompson, O.P., captures the rich and elaborative history of the vocation and ministry of Dominican brothers since the very foundation of the Dominican Order in 1216.Through exhaustive and ground-breaking research, Fr. Thompson has uncovered a legion of little known facts and about the history, vitality, permanence, and presence of the vocation and ministry of the Dominican brother (including saints, blesseds, and martyrs) in promoting Dominican fraternal life and the mission of the Order in service to the Church universal. Thompson's work is not limited to a dry historical review of the past; rather, he brings the richness of the past into the present day so that it will promote vocations to the Dominican brotherhood, whose life and ministry are indispensable in the process of renewing and sustaining the fraternal life and ministry of the Order and the preaching and the salvation of souls.This prophetic document also needs to be studied by other religious orders and read in tandem with the Vatican Document, "Identity and Mission of the Religious Brother in the Church," issued by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies for Apostolic Life.

Genres: Theology

360 pages, Paperback

Published December 11, 2017

About the author

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Reviews

[Brandon Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fr. Augustine Thompson, O.P. has truly created a masterpiece with this study! As the Order reflects upon its 800 year history and the innumerable impacts of the non-ordained brethren (terminology is used only to create a simple distinction for the review), we Dominicans must ask: what does it mean to be a cooperator brother today?

I think Thompson raises phenomenal points but most importantly realizes that so often we hear the brothers' story through the words of clerical brothers. Even today, the Order is re-evaluating the term used; see as we have used conversus and lay brother in the past as well.

Augustine Thompson, my dear brother in Dominic, has been abundantly fair to the history presented and has raised questions that really help enlighten our discussions and thoughts on the subject.

And I was blessed to attend a week long course in which he expounded upon the research done for this book. He was incredible! This is a MUST READ!