We are the Dominican Laity in Houston, TX, part of the worldwide Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic. As Lay Dominicans, we are single or married Catholic men and women who are called by God to be full members of the Order of Preachers but who live out our vocation in the world. We make a lifetime promise to live according to the Rule of the Dominican Laity approved by the Order and by the Holy See.

Historically known as ‘Third Order’ or ‘Tertiary’ Dominicans (although the term is no longer officially used), our global organization and structure is almost as old as the Order itself; the development of the Rule of the Dominican Laity traces back to the end of the 13th century. We are connected directly to the Master of the Order and are represented in the Curia by the Promoter General for the Laity, fr. Rui Lopes, OP. In former times, members of the Third Order would have included men and women living in community as well as secular priests (St. Louis de Montfort and Pope Pius XII are examples). Today, secular priests may join the associated Priestly Fraternities of St. Dominic.

Note: Members of the Dominican Laity should not be confused with the “Dominican Family of Houston“, which is a relatively new organization of lay men and women (Catholic and non-Catholic) who seek to live out aspects of Dominican Spirituality in their apostolates with the mentorship of the Dominican Sisters of Houston. Member of this group are not full members of the Order of Preachers and do not promise to live according to the Rule of the Dominican Laity. However, because of their Dominican charism, they constitute part of the broader family of St. Dominic, as do other groups such as the International Dominican Youth Movement.

Anyone who is interested in discerning a vocation to the Lay Dominicans or in learning more is welcome to visit.   The requirements to become an Inquirer in to the Dominican Laity are:

• Be at least 18 years of age .
• Be Catholic for 2 years and have received the Sacrament of Confirmation.
• Have a strong commitment to faith.
• Have a stable and moral character.
• Be active in spreading the Gospel through apostolic work and by the example of their lives.
• Be willing to join other lay men and women in prayer and study.

Chapter History

Although there had been Lay Dominicans in Houston in the past, the groups had become inactive in the early 2000s. The Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Chapter was founded in 2008 by a Lay Dominican who left New Orleans because of Hurricane Katrina.  The group began meeting at the Holy Rosary parish served by the Dominican Friars and has been growing steadily ever since.