Today, Brother Neal Salan, OPA, prior of All Saints Priory, had the privilege of witnessing the Novice Promises of the newest member of the Anglican Order of Preachers (Anglican Dominicans), Brother Christopher Douglas-Huriwai, from Christchurch, New Zealand.
Brother Chris is a Māori seminarian studying in Auckland, New Zealand. He is a member of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand, and Polynesia. He is married and blogs at He Whakaaro Noa Iho…
As I pointed out when I received the Promises of Brother Erich Junger last June, we Anglican Dominicans are guided by three hallmarks or mottoes. The first is (in Latin) "Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare," or "To praise, to bless, to preach." We praise God in all that we say and do. Each of our actions is dedicated to the work and glory of God. Likewise, we bless by our words and deeds, always trying to show those around us the love and mercy of Our Lord. Finally, preaching is our primary charism. We are to preach, regardless of our status as lay or ordained, whether in a pulpit or street corner. These three charges are interwoven: by preaching, we praise God and bless our brothers and sisters.
The second hallmark is "Veritas" - the Latin word for "truth." Dominic felt his call to preach and teach when he found himself in a region that had strayed from orthodox understandings of the Bible and the teachings of and about Jesus. His commitment to explaining, teaching, and preaching the truth animated him from that day forward. He set that as a one-word challenge to every Dominican since: to be wholely committed to the truth, at all times, in all places, and at any cost.
The last hallmark is simple in the original Latin (Contemplare et Contemplata Aliis Tradere), but rather difficult to render into English. Essentially, it means "I will study, and I will use the fruits of my study to teach others." Dominicans are dedicated to life-long learning. We read, write, study, debate, discuss, teach, preach, and even email, blog, and tweet, so that we may fulfill this desire and charge to use what we learn for the benefit of those around us.
Brother Chris' journey in faith as an Anglican Dominican has just begun. I pray that he will be faithful to the Promises that he made today, and I pledge that I will support him with my prayers, counsel, and friendship as he continues that journey.
I ask that you all pray for him, for the other new Novices who make Promises this summer, and for the entire Anglican Order of Preachers, throughout the world.
Thank you.
Brother Tom Hudson, OPA
Provincial, Province of the Transfiguration
Anglican Order of Preachers
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