Coming Home to Good Work: Spiritual Democracy
Beginning in 1959, the fifteen years of scholastic training and sacerdotal work in the Dominicans (known in Latin as Dominicanes and mischievously translated as ‘Dogs of the Lord’ because of their fierce dedication to learning and preaching) have been salutary and indeed sustaining for me throughout my work-life. These were years of learning in the Scholastic tradition, living in a monastic and democratic community, and working with freedom and a great sense of fulfillment and satisfaction in Trinidad and Tobago and subsequently as an unofficial “worker priest” in Ireland until I resigned in 1974 – becoming a “stray” Dog of the Lord. It was only after many years of working in some very undemocratic settings after leaving the Dominicans that I rediscovered their sense of community, work satisfaction, and enthusiastic zeal. It was when I came to work at The Working Centre a few years ago. It was like coming home again!
