US Dominican Province attracts largest group of novices in decades - highlighting necessity for full-time vocations promoters.

The Dominican Province of Saint Joseph in the United States (http://www.op-stjoseph.org/) has in recent weeks accepted 21 novices to begin their canonical novitiate. This news has circulated all around the world, and particularly in Dominican circles. The Dominicans of Saint Joseph province "had suffered through 'chaotic period' from 1993 to 2002, where the province transitioned between three or four different vocations directors and novitiate numbers were about five per year." Then in 2003, the brethren of that province decided to appoint a full-time vocations director. Over the past number of years, there has been a significant increase in new vocations culminating in this year's bumper intake.

In a revealing and telling comment, the outgoing vocations director for the Saint Joseph province, Fr Bill Garrot OP said, "Stability in a vocation program does matter. I was appointed as a full-time vocations director, but not many diocese or religious orders seem to have the luxury of appointing a man to do full-time recruitment work."

As is evidenced in this part of the world, other factors drawing men to the Dominican Order include the theological tradition of the Order, maintaining the traditional liturgical practice of the Order and the strong emphasis on community. For a full report on this historic event for the Saint Joseph Province, read their blog entry: http://www.op-stjoseph.org/blog/us_dominican_province_welcomes_its_biggest_class_of_novices_in_decades

Irish Dominican Vocations wishes the Saint Joseph Province USA and their novitiate class of 2010-11 every blessing in the year ahead.