Dominican friars live together in communities that are known as priories and houses. In these communities, we live what is called the common life, sharing our resources and gathering together for prayer, meals, and fellowship. These communities are the fundamental grounding for our ministry and religious life.
Dwelling together in unity
According to the Rule of St. Augustine, the primary reason why we are gathered together is that we may dwell together in unity, and that there may be in us one mind and one heart in God. This unity, moreover, achieves its fullness beyond the limits of a convent in communion with a province and with the whole Order. Rooted in the love of God, the unanimity of our life should provide an example of the universal reconciliation in Christ, which by word we preach.
Communion in the Spirit
As in the Church of the Apostles, so also among us communion is founded, established, and strengthened in the same Spirit in whom we receive the Word from God the Father with one faith, contemplate with one heart, and praise with one voice; in whom we who share one bread are made one body, in whom we hold all things in common and are committed to the same work of evangelization.
The Church of God
The brethren should first establish in their own convent the Church of God for spreading their works in the world: united through obedience, joined in a higher love through the discipline of chastity, dependent more closely on one another through poverty.