The first, obvious answer is that a Dominican is a follower of St Dominic, a member of the Order of Preachers which he founded in the early 13th century to combat the evils of the age by preaching God's truth. The motto of the Order is VERITAS (Truth), the Truth that changes not. The purpose of the Order is to praise God, to bless Our Lord in prayer, adoration, meditation, and contemplation; and to preach His Truth (Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare).

Today, just as in 1216, the Order of Preachers is called to preach and defend the Faith throughout the world, to revitalize those of dormant faith, lax morality, and heretical wanderings. The First Order, the Dominican priests, preach Christ crucified (the Way for us all, the Truth, the Life) and teach theology to religious and lay, in missions, colleges, seminaries, and parish churches. The nuns of the Second Order study, continually praise God, and pray for us all: it was the Second Order that St. Dominic first extablished, before he sent forth the first two priests into the world to combat the heresies of the day. The sisters and the lay people of the Third Order live in, but are not of, the world, sanctifying their secular vocations by offering all to and for Our Lord, interspersing their daily work with prayer and praise, approaching others with love as they share the Truth which the fathers preach. We are all one family, we followers of the clear-thinking, humble, obedient, most loving Dominic.

The Blessed Margaret of Castello Chapter of the Lay Fraternity of St. Dominic (Order of Preachers) is dedicated to the Truth,  meets at St. Mark's Catholic Church, 7960 West Northview St., Boise, Idaho, 83704, 208.375.6651, on the third Saturday of each month at 10:00 o'clock a.m., to pursue study, to share ideas, and to praise God together. Many vocations are represented in the Chapter (journalism, information technology, legal, teaching, chaplaincy, nursing, military service, homemaking) and many ministries (pro-life action and legislation, business ethics, religious education).

To learn more about this chapter, contact a member or our prior, John Keenan at 208.375.2532.   Your are invited to attend.