There are vocations...

... which manifest themselves. They must be fostered.

... which are not conscious of themselves. They must be awakened.

... which do not dare manifest themselves. They must be found and encouraged.

... which are in fear of being lost. They must be reassured.

... which meet with opposition. They must be strengthened.

... which are paralyzed by poverty. They must be helped financially.

How many men and women in your parishes are caring and compassionate individuals who are good listeners, articulate speakers, and loving enthusiastic Catholics?

How many of these special, gifted people have ever been invited to consider becoming a priest, sister, or a brother?

The 10-year process of becoming a Dominican priest or brother (known as “friars”) is called “formation”. The first step of formation in the Nigerian Province is to live and study at the Novitiate in Ibadan, Oyo State for one year as a “novice” under the supervision of a Dominican priest known as the Novice Master. During this first year of study and discernment, the novice experiences the Dominican way of life by living in community with the Dominican friars at St. Thomas Aquinas Priory, Ibadan. Novices engage in prayer, study, and various ministries in Ibadan.

The Dominican formation process is both rigorous and balanced to ensure that candidates are well-adjusted and suited to this special calling. By offering a unique combination of tradition and contemplative life (wearing a “habit”, engaging in common daily prayer) balanced against preaching, teaching, and ministry in the greater community, the Order seeks to produce well-rounded, spiritually mature men who will provide outstanding leadership and genuine pastoral care to the People of God.

The second step of formation occurs after the novice completes his year-long process of study, discernment and ministry in Ibadan. After taking first vows at the Community Chapel in a ceremony called “Profession of Vows,” the novice becomes a professed student brother and moves to the next stage. The student brother engages in philosophical and theological graduate studies at Dominican Institute of Philosophy and Theology for approximately seven more years before his ordination to the diaconate and priesthood.

Currently, there are about 63 student brothers and 9 novice brothers and 8 postulants in Ibadan.

SUPPORT OUR MISSION

You can support our mission by attending our events and participating in the following donor programs:

• Outright Gift Now (donate cash, securities, personal property);

• Monthly or Yearly Donations;

• Living Trust (revocable gift during your lifetime by naming us beneficiary of assets in a living trust);

• Bequest in Will (name us in your will or codicil);

• Life Insurance Gift (name us as owner and beneficiary of a policy);

• Real Estate Gift (donate the property to us during or after your lifetime);

• Retirement Plan Gift (name us as beneficiary of the remainder of the assets after your lifetime);

• Charitable Trusts/Annuities (create a trust or annuity program to meet your financial goals);

You need to know that:

The training of a student till ordination is at a minimum cost of N350,000.00 annually which is broken down as follows: 

This may be a huge sum of money for some, but we appreciate whatever any man or woman of good will has to offer. So we have created further opportunities for any one who wishes to help subsidize the training of our Dominican students. The rates are as follows: