BlackFriars Spring 2014

TheTrumpet Spring 2014 Dominican Foundation • Dominican Friars • Province of Saint Joseph Fr. Justin Brophy, O.P., celebrating his Iron Chef victory with undergraduates at the Providence College cafeteria. Photo Credit: Providence College  rovidence College Alum Credits Friars P for Authentic Catholic Witness on Campus By John J. Dwyer I firmly believe that the friars are the life-blood of Providence College. As a long-time donor to the alumni fund, I was unaware of the Dominican Foundation and the role it played in the continuity of the College until about five years ago. It never occurred to me “where” the friars came from. I always knew the Dominican friars were extraordinarily well trained, but the process of “who” provided that training, and how it was accomplished were simply assumed. For me, the simple reality is that the Providence College is a Catholic liberal arts school founded in 1917 by Dominican friars of the Province of St. Joseph. Providence College graduate, John J. Dwyer, “Class of ’58,” hopes that more people will support Dominican vocations that are bearing fruit at his alma mater and numerous other college campuses. Province and the House of Studies identify and train the student brothers through the novitiate, ordination, and ultimately to their assignments. Without that long, difficult, and expensive journey, the individual friar never gets to Providence College or any of the other colleges where they serve. And it is the Dominican priest who is the source of the college’s Catholic identity. I look at photos of this group of men, young guys joining an 800 year-old order, and marvel at how they are faithful to St. Dominic's mission. John J. Dwyer with his wife, Susan. When I think about our country I worry that, in many respects, it is in real trouble and suffers from an obvious lack of leadership. People in control want to tear down the important things in our society, and (Cont'd on page 4) dominicanfriars.org facebook.com/dominican.friars youtube.com/DHSpriory BlackFriars Media App  | 1