Dominican Altarboys' Manual (1945)

I am pleased to announce that, through the kindness of Fr. Paul Keller, O.P., we now have available on our sidebar under "Dominican Rite--Texts" a scan of the

Dominican Altarboys' Manual according to the Rite of the Order of Preachers: Compiled from the Dominican Ceremonial (New York: Province of St. Joseph, 1945).

This booklet presents very complete instructions and photos on how to serve the Dominican Rite Mass in the Low Mass, Missa Cantata, and Solemn Mass forms. Although there have been some accomodations to Roman practice (e.g., the manual gives the Roman, not the Dominican, order for lighting the altar candles), these do seem to represent the customs in force in the Eastern Dominican Province before the Council.

This text may be downloaded in PDF format, for printing or consultation on your computer, either on the sidebar to your left or here. This text will be especially helpful for communities where the Extraordinary Use of the Roman Rite is celebrated and a Dominican comes to fill in and prefers to celebrate in his own Rite--as, with his provincial's permission, he has the right to do. This resource now allows all servers to be properly prepared for such a necessity.

"Visit" Our Sisters, the Dominican Nuns of Summit NJ

Over the years I have been blessed to have spent time with the Dominican Cloistered Nuns of Summit, New Jersey, giving them talks on various subjects in Church History and theology. On all those occasions I have also had the spiritual enjoyment of their lovely monastery (see photo to the right) and their beautiful chanting of the Mass and Office.

Sr. Mary Catherine, their novicemistress, who has responsibility for their five (right?) aspirants, has often posted comments here and at New Liturgical Movement. As a gesture of Dominican Solidarity with the oldest branch of the Order (the nuns predate the friars by several years), I would urge our readers to stop over and visit there website. And while you are their you can read about their Capital Campaign to begin renovations of their monastery and you might even order some of their famous Seignadou Soaps! Below is a picture of Sister with the women she is helping form in Dominican Contemplative life. They have just completed a baking project -- yum!