The Place of Study in the Ideal of St. Dominic

The Place of Study in the Ideal of St. Dominic

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by Rev. James A. Weisheipl OP

The purpose of the Dominican Order is stated clearly and simply in the Constitutions:  Our Order is known from the beginning to have been specially instituted for the sake of preaching and the salvation of souls. Consequently our study must aim principally at this, that we might be useful to the souls of others.

(...) How much, we may ask, should a Dominican study in order to fulfill his constitutional obligations? From what has already been said, no other answer can be given but: Always, according to the dictates of supernatural prudence. Just as we are told by Christ to "pray always and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1), so a Dominican is told by his constitutions to study always without interruption. The primitive constitutions use the expression "by day and night, at home or on a journey".

Albertus Magnus studying