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Domicans celebrating 800th anniversary of founding
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
The Order of Preachers traces its founding to the medieval era. The Dominicans, as they are known, at St. Dominic Church will highlight that heritage with three special Masses in celebration of the order’s 800th anniversary this year.
The Dominicans treasure and salute their history. They do so by preserving the Dominican liturgical tradition by showcasing it on special occasions and continuing their mission, charism, of preaching the faith; wearing a white habit that can be credited to founder, St. Dominic; and using the term friar, brother.
Recently, the Revs. Bernard Timothy and Peter Totleben discussed the anniversary, the Dominican order and the Masses.
Father Timothy said Dominicans’ charism, its gift, is “preaching the word of God, preaching the faith.” They do this in their work as pastors, teachers, missionaries, chaplains and theologians.
That work began in Ohio when the first Dominican in the United States, the Rev. Edward Fenwick, who was educated at a European seminary, asked to return to America as a missionary. In 1808, he arrived in America, coming to Somerset, Ohio, his base for missionary work. In 1817, he said the first Catholic Mass in a log cabin in Dungannon in Columbiana County.
In 1923, the Diocese of Cleveland (before the Diocese of Youngstown was established) invited the Dominicans to Youngstown and St. Dominic Church. St. Dominic friars are in the Eastern Province of St. Joseph, where some 300 serve. Worldwide, there are about 5,770 Dominicans. “We are the fastest growing religious community in the United States,” Father Timothy said, noting 70 men are in the seminary, and 11 were recently ordained. “Priests are from all over the world,” Father Timothy said. He is from Indonesia; Father Totleben is from Erie, Pa. “We’re here at the service of the bishop of the diocese,” Father Timothy said. “But our assignments are made by our provincial.”
Father Timothy said while the parish has changed over the decades, it “never has lost the traditional feeling.” “I think this is a great comfort to people,” he said.
Father Totleben, who recently arrived at St. Dominic, said the 800th anniversary celebration will feature low, sung and solemn high Masses and are distinguished by different elements. Music, ceremony and prayers, unique to Dominicans, will be included.
A low Mass is “more like a daily Mass and in the venacular, English,” he said, adding there is some singing. It will be Friday.
A sung Mass, planned July 22, involves “more ceremony,” he said, and the choir will sing. Gregorian chants in Latin, recalling tradition, will be featured.
A solemn high Mass on Aug. 19 features a main celebrant, who will be the Rev. Raymund Snyder; deacon will be the Rev. Charles Shonk; and Father Totleben, subdeacon, along with servers.
People will recognize familiar elements in the Masses.
All the Masses will be at 7:15 p.m. preceded by lessons at 6:30 p.m.
Father Totleben explained the lessons will offer explanations of the different Masses, history and symbolism. “The lessons will make the worship experience more meaningful,” Father Totleben said.
“For example, after the Eucharist is consecrated, the priest stretches out his arms ... it’s meant to look like the cross,” he said.
At each of the Masses, there will be programs available with English and Latin texts. “The programs will make the Masses easy to follow,” Father Timothy said.
“We have a treasure in the liturgy,” Father Timothy said. “The truth is beautiful ... not just in what we say but the beauty of preaching,” he said. “Mass is a source and summit of Christian life.” He added that Dominican preaching is meant to lead people to the Mass, where they come in “contact and connection” with Jesus. “Mass is the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and brings people in union with Christ,” Father Timothy said.
Father Totleben said the practice of worshipping together is meaningful.
He continued that worship reflects the beauty of God, the beauty of our identity as Christians and the beautiful things God has done for us including the Eucharist.