The Dominican order is very inclusive with brothers and sisters from a wide variety of backgrounds. One of the friars who lives in Oxford , Br Ursus, describes what day to day life is like for a Dominican bear."I get up at 7.43 every morning for Lauds. This is always a great challenge, especially in winter. Before joining the order, I used to hibernate for 6 months of the year, so it has taken me quite a while to adapt to getting up every day. It’s one of the sacrifices I have to make, but I receive many consolations. As it says in psalm 118 ‘Your promise is sweeter to my taste than honey in the mouth.’ As someone who very much loves honey, I find this imagery delightful, and it’s also very true.
"I’m currently studying philosophy and theology and I’m enjoying it very much. It’s really giving me the confidence to preach the Gospel. I’ve still got a lot to learn. In preaching classes, I’m constantly being reminded to speak up, but I find this very difficult without sounding like I'm growling. Still, the brothers are very encouraging.
"It’s taken a little while getting use to the Dominican habit, but it’s actually very comfortable. I do tend to get a few stares when I wander around Oxford , and occasionally I get people shouting out comments like ‘Super Ted.’ But the Dominican habit has become an important part of my identity and I think it’s an important eschatological sign.
"I’ve no idea what I’ll end up doing in the Order once I’m ordained - I’ll go where I’m told. Still, I miss living in the forest, so if I was given a choice, I’d love to be the chaplain for the Dominican sisters who are located in the New Forest ."
Honestly!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen fr Ursus in choir for the office. Is he dispensed, or does he just need a higher stool to see over the kneeling desks ?
ReplyDeleteNice April fool! Cute bear-who actually spent time making the habit though? They need help!
ReplyDeleteIs it permissible to bearhug the ursine Dominican? 'Cause I sure would like to.
ReplyDeleteWhy not in the Bavarian forest. Then St. Corbianus might guide you to a realy honey of a job in Rome.
ReplyDeleteBrother! The Ursuline sisters have been waiting for such a chaplain for years!
ReplyDeleteCan you make a wallpaper out of one of those picturers? Please? Pleeeease? Three rosaries for your intentions?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure St. Catherine of Siena would like a holiday from my screen.
Oh, and I'm sure Fr. Richard wouldn't mind an assistant. If the future Fr. Ursus can keep the growling down retreatants might find him very comfortable as a confessor... Hm, should I be e-mailing Sr. Prioress?
ReplyDeleteI'm tipping Fr. Ursus for a certain archbishop's throne that's due to become vacant shortly! :-)
ReplyDeleteShouldn't Br. Ursus be a be a Franciscan? I seem to remember St. Francis mentioning him somewhere . . .
ReplyDeleteCan we now expect a regular preaching input from Br Ursus? I await this with baited (sic) breath.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous;
ReplyDeletepreaching appears on Torch - better contact the editor !
Was Paddington an aspirant OP from Peru, who got lost at the station and missed his connection to Oxford? His fondness for marmalade is surely a clue...
ReplyDeleteTim C
eschatological sign - sign of the last or latest things?
ReplyDeleteHe's so cute. If you ever decide to produce copies and sell them I want one.
ReplyDeleteNow that is a good fundraising idea...
ReplyDeleteI suggest proposing Domenican life to a potentially good candidate. Did you watch "Kung Fu Panda"? I think the protagonist has a future within the Order. He comes from a background similar to Br. Ursus (both are plantigrades, I suppose), he already wears a white and black habit, and his first name is almost a "nomen-omen", as the Romans said (you need very little to transform a PO into an OP).
ReplyDeleteThink about him, brothers!
Out of curiosity, what is your horarium like?
ReplyDeleteI just want to get a picture of the Dominican rule of life.