Following the life of St. Dominic

On February 26, 2020, we received an important letter from Bishop McGrattan granting permission for a group of us in formation as Lay Dominicans to officially form a Lay Fraternity.  In the letter he recognized the work of the Holy Spirit in our formation as a group for those seeking the path of greater holiness. This was confirmation that the work, prayer, and discernment we had put in over the last few years was what God had been calling us to do. We were then officially welcomed into the order and became, alongside another chapter in Edmonton, the first Lay Dominican groups in the Prairies under the Canadian Province.

My wife, Karen, and I learned about the Dominican religious order at World Youth Day in Krakow, 2016.  The Dominicans were hosting the remains of Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, who we have a strong devotion to as mountaineers. We visited the Dominican church, learned about his life, and experienced the warm hospitality of the Friars. This experience, and the guidance of the Holy spirit, inspired us explore how we could share in the Dominican life.  

During formation we learned about the charisms of the order, the life of St. Dominic, and how being a member of the Order of Preachers could help us live our vocation as lay people to the fullest. We were joined by people we didn’t know, through connections too perfect to be coincidental, who were also contemplating life as Lay Dominicans. 

We meet monthly to pray, study, contemplate scripture, and determine how we can serve within the Diocese of Calgary. We welcome new people!  

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Written by Ryan and Karen Fox, Administrators with Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools, and parishioners of St. James Parish in Okotoks.

To learn more about the Lay Dominicans, visit facebook.com/LayDominicansYYC | or contact Ryan Fox - On September 12 we are going on a hike and invite you to join us in the spirit of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati!

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St. Dominic

I joined the Lay Dominicans because I was looking for an intentional faith community to help form me on my spiritual journey. I was seeking an intentional faith community to help me to grow deeper in my love for God and to help me find creative new ways to express my love of neighbour. I learned of the Dominicans while studying at the Toronto School of Theology/ University of Toronto. I was attracted to their unique spirituality through prayer, study, community, and preaching. As a Lay Dominican at St. Mary’s University, my vocation to preaching the Gospel is expressed through helping to coordinate spiritual activities on campus, studying the Catholic tradition and sharing the fruits of my research, and volunteering with different outreach programs that work with marginalized populations across the diocese. Striving to imitate the Dominican saints, I engage each of these activities with a sense of joy, simplicity, and generosity.
~ Dr. Peter Baltutis