St. Gertrude Church
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dominican Laity

bishop fenwick fraternity

“Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword; wear humility rather than fine clothes.”
— St. Dominic

Who We Are

The Bishop Fenwick Fraternity at St. Gertrude is a group of Lay Dominicans who are dedicated to Dominican spirituality and strive for the sanctification of themselves and those around them, reaching people the friars, nuns, and sisters cannot reach. We currently have around 30 members of all ages and professions, including teachers, professors, business people, stay-at-home parents, artists, and published writers.

What We Do

The Dominican charism consists of four pillars: prayer, study, community, and apostolate. ​As Lay Dominicans, we commit to living out these four pillars by:
  • Attending daily Mass (if possible) and praying a daily rosary and morning and evening Liturgy of the Hours ​
  • Reading Scripture for at least 15 minutes per day, reading and discussing chapter materials (papal documents, writings of saints, etc.) 
  • Participating in either chapter or individual apostolate
  • Taking part in chapter meetings and other occasional gatherings

When We Meet

We meet on the second Tuesday of the month, except during July. We typically begin in the St. Gertrude Church at 6:30 p.m. with Evening Prayer (Liturgy of the Hours), and then move to the Parish Center Lobby for social time, study, and our business meeting. ​​

Join Us

Anyone is always welcome to join our monthly meetings. This is a great way to learn what being a Lay Dominican is all about, as there is no obligation or cost*, and to begin discerning if you have a vocation to the Dominican life.

If you feel called to become a Lay Dominican and join the Bishop Fenwick Fraternity, you will engage in a 6-month postulancy, followed by a yearlong novitiate and a 3-year Temporary Promise (Profession). This extensive formation period provides you with the opportunity to better understand the four pillars of the Dominican charism, to attend our regular monthly meetings, and to have monthly sessions with our novice instructor. At any point during this process, up until you make your Final Promise (Life Profession), you and the chapter may discern that you do not have a vocation to the Dominican life.

​
*Members of the Bishop Fenwick Fraternity pay $85 in dues annually.

Contact Us

For more information about the Bishop Fenwick Fraternity at St. Gertrude or to join the chapter, please contact Mrs. Margaret Brecount, O.P., at [email protected], or come to a meeting. 

Additional Resources

To learn more about the Lay Dominicans of the Province of St. Joseph, sign up for the province's free e-Lumen newsletter, and access other resources, please visit laydominicans.org.
Picture
6543 Miami Ave Cincinnati, OH 45243
Phone: (513) 561-5954 | ​Fax: (513) 561-5184
Parish Office Hours: Mon.–Fri., 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
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GIVE
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • Register
    • Parish Staff
    • Parish History
    • Parish Boundaries
    • Church Architecture
    • Media
    • Give
    • Employment
    • Strategic Planning Process
  • Adults
    • Asking Life's Big Questions
    • Considering Becoming Catholic
    • Looking for a Prayer Group
    • Desiring Formation
    • Seeking to Serve
    • Needing Support
  • Children & Youth
    • Athletics >
      • Boys Basketball
      • Boys Volleyball
      • Cheerleading
      • Football
      • Girls Basketball
      • Girls Volleyball
      • K-2 Instructional Basketball
      • Track and Field
      • Wrestling
    • St. Gertrude School
    • Age 3 – Grade 3 (CGS) >
      • Sacramental Formation (Grade 2)
    • Grades 4 – 6 (Family Faith)
    • Grades 7 – 8 (Junior High) >
      • Confirmation Prep (Gr. 7-8)
    • Grades 9 – 12 (L'alto: High School)
    • Liturgical Ministries for Youth >
      • Choir: Schola Cantorum
      • Choir: Collegium
      • Choral Scholar Program
      • The Sons of St. Joseph
      • St. Anne and the Child Mary Guild
    • Cub Scouts
    • Boy Scouts
  • Sacraments & Worship
    • Lent 2025
    • Mass & Confessions >
      • Worship Programs
      • Mass Intentions
      • Dominican Rite
    • Infant Baptism
    • Confirmation
    • Matrimony
    • Anointing of the Sick
    • Funerals & Bereavement
    • Eucharistic Adoration
    • Music >
      • Sacred Music Series
  • Parish Portal
  • Sacred Music Series