Categories: uncategorized
Date: 02 November 2005 20:25:33
So, why a wiblog?
Well, I'm (please do excuse pretentiousness) exploring a call to the Lay Dominicans and I thought that a wiblog might firstly help clarify my thoughts and feelings, and secondly reassure friends and relatives that no, I'm not joining a fascist cult.
So, the Dominicans - founded by St Dominic, their "proper" name is the Ordo Praedicatorum, the Order of Preachers. They gave their name to Blackfriars in London, and (shallow, me?!?) the initial attraction was because, in the muddiest field I have ever had the misfortune of standing in, the Dominicans were the only religious order present who had nice dry feet, because they were all wearing proper (and very shiny) shoes. Well, it was either the Dominicans or the Jesuits, and I don't think I'd do very well at growing a pointy beard.
And besides, could the granddaughter of a Methodist Minister join any order other than the Order of Preachers?
The main change that this calling has wrought so far has been attendance at daily Mass. If you know me well, I really hope you're sitting down at this point, because, for a variety of reasons, the most convenient Mass for me to attend is with a convent of enclosed Benedictine nuns near Marble Arch, and (sit down now, if you aren't already), my alarm goes off at 5:15am to get me there in time. yes, there are two 5:15s in a day, not just one...
Oh, and there's Opus Dei, of course.
No, not that Opus Dei, the other one, also known as the Divine Office, the daily prayer of the Church. If anyone's fed up with shoulder-surfers on public transport, can I suggest you get a copy of the Divine Office, and at least look like you're using it - people tend to leave you alone in case you turn round and enquire "and have you let the Lord into your life?" whilst staring fixedly at their left ear. Not that I would do that - at silly AM I'm rather more concerned with staying awake and not merrily snoring my way through Marble Arch.
Right, I must away and do something productive and probably laundry-related...