Our Apostolate: Prayer for the Dead

Overview:

Each Dominican Community has a specific “Apostolate,” which is meant to further the goals of the Dominican Order and the Church. For example, some communities promote the rosary, others might promote certain doctrines or dogmas publicly, or even run their own publishing house.

Our fraternity’s primary apostolate is “Praying for the Dead.”

Our members live out this apostolate in three ways:

1. Private Individual Prayer, especially the recitation of Psalm 130 (“Our of the Depths I cry to Thee, O Lord”), which is a traditional Dominican Prayer for the dead.
2. As a Fraternity, especially in annual visits to cemeteries to pray the Office for the Dead and a Rosary each November
3. As part of the larger Church, in promoting and teaching others to pray the Office for the Dead and in explaining, defending, and promoting praying for the dead in local parishes and other groups.

What We Offer to Parishes:

1. A “Praying for the Dead” workshop (approximately 2 hours) covering the following topics:
   • Overview of the “Four Last Things” (Death, Judgement, Heaven, and Hell)
   • Overview of “Purgatory” and where it fits into these last four things
   • An explanation of the history and refinement of the Church’s teaching on Purgatory, Indulgences, and Praying for the Dead
   • An overview of the Church’s liturgical life in praying for the dead (“Last Rites,” funeral masses, and the Office for the Dead)
   • A brief overview of the Liturgy of the Hours, and specifically how to pray Morning and Evening Prayer of the Office for the Dead
   • Praying either Morning or Evening prayer of the Office for the Dead as a group
2. A quick (5 to 10 minute) presentation before or after mass to introduce a congregation to the following:
   • What is a “Third Order”?
     • This includes a description of common Third Orders (Franciscan, Dominican, Benedictine, etc.)
   • What is the Dominican Order and its mission?
   • What are the benefits and obligations of joining a Religious Order as a lay member?
   • Q&A, handouts, and an information stand after mass.
3. We can also provide other Dominican-related presentations on the following:
   • The Rosary
   • Dominican Saints and History
   • The Angelic Warfare Confraternity (dedicated to promoting purity and chastity)
   • The role of preaching for the laity

Contact Us:

1. If you are a pastor, we welcome an invitation to your parish
2. If you are not a pastor, but would like us to come, please make sure your pastor is on board (we are not controversial, but it’s good manners)
3. Email us at DominicanLaity@OLMC1.org and let us know the following:
   • Who you are and what parish or ministry you are associated with
   • What topic you would like us to speak on
   • What dates and times work for you
   • An estimate of how many people you expect at the event
4. Please note:
   • We currently operate in the Indianapolis and Lafayette Dioceses. If you are within driving distance, let us know and we can try to find a solution, though.
   • We currently don’t ask for a speaker’s fee or honorarium, but will have ways that attendees can support our ministry financially.