What denomination is the OPD?

We belive in the Love that is God.

Because the faith in Christ and the Gospel guides us, the OPD has chosen to be an Ecumenical group. We have no denomination. Anyone who believes that the love of God can be avalable to all who seek it is welcomed into our community.

The fact that we have not chosen to attach ourselves to any “official” denomination is perplexing to many who believe that a community like ours should fall under the authority of some church leader. The fact of the matter is, we do fall under the authority of a church leader in that each member of the community does individually. If a member is Roman Catholic, that member is bound by his obligations as a Roman Catholic. If a member is Lutheran, the same goes for him. If a member chooses to practice a spirituality that does not involve an institutional religion, we support that personal choice as well. Our association of believers is a voluntary community of the faithful. We come together to live the spirituality of the God's Love and do the work of Christ in a way that is not limited by denominational boundaries. Most churches embrace this idea of ecumenism.

The OPD does not teach doctrine, nor does it ask it members to profess belief in any doctrine as a condition of membership. We only require a willingness to work in the Love of God for the good of others. The fact that our association has its roots in the Catholic tradition, and specifically the spirituality of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), has no doctrinal effect on the nature of our association today. Though some of our members are Lay Dominicans, the association itself is not an entity of the Roman Catholic Dominican Order. Even still, many of our members who are not Catholic have found that the spirituality of the Dominican tradition is very conducive to their own belief in the Gospel! It's beautiful to see members share traditions with such love and acceptance.

How you practice your “institutional religion” has no effect on the OPD or on your membership in the association. As a matter of fact, the diversity of disciplines in our community has given us a beautiful momentum toward the Gospel. We have had the opportunity to share each others practices and have seen the light of God in each others churches. It’s really a wonderful thing! Belonging to the OPD does not violate the beliefs you profess as a member of any particular church. Actually, our members are very active in their particular denominations and are faithful to the doctrines of their denominations.

The fact that ministers and faithful from diverse Christian churches can put aside denominational beliefs to come together and serve the children of God through Love is great gift from God!

We are careful not to impose the requirements of our individual disciplines and practices on those who are not part of our denomination. The beliefs that draw us together are beliefs in God's Love, Word, and Truth.

So, the answer to the question, “what denomination is the OPD?” We are a group of men and women who believe in the Love of God and who came together to do the work of the Gospel as a community...no denomination required!

I am always available to anyone who wishes to discuss this article in more detail. Reach me by e-mail at dominicanvocations@hotmail.com


With hope for the future,
I am your brother in Christ,

+Tomas-Martin, OPD

About the OPD

The purpose of the Association is to renew the lifestyle of the First Rule of the Third Order of St. Dominic of 1285, in our own lives and our modern world (following modern Statutes) for the love of God and as a public witness to the Gospel in the world, so as to fulfill our Mission, and save souls. Members are called to live the Gospel in a more radical and consecrated way for modern times, with the goal of personal sanctity and eternal life.


Today the community exists as a true catholic community that serves the Gospel. The community has ties to the Traditional Roman Catholic, Old Roman Catholic, Independent Catholic, Orthodox churches, as well as to communities that embrace a variety of non-Christian spiritualities. The Gospel message can be preached to all mankind regardless of one’s association. Keeping that fact in mind, the OPD will minister to all those who seek the Gospel. Branch chapters of the OPD will normally fall under the protection of a local bishop of the Church.

Members are authorized to use the letters OPD after their name as a public witness of their conversion to community life and the salutation “brother” for male members or “sister” for female members in conversation or correspondence. The use of the public habit of the community is optional for all professed members who have requested vesting in the habit.

The vision of the Association is to promote the renewed practice of Gospel Life in the Church among the faithful consistent with the Gospel itself and the traditions of the Church, the spirit of the First Rule of the Third Order of St. Dominic of 1285, and Statutes of the Association, which were written in 2006 and amended in 2010; and to work to win souls for God

The spirituality of the Association is that of the Gospel itself, which endorses lives of mercy, and love in the world for all people. Membership in the Association both causes and is the fruit of each individual’s personal conversion and desire to live the Gospel more perfectly in his or her own life.

Professed members live a lifestyle of spiritual obedience, poverty, and mission. Even though we take our name from the example of the first community of laity who came together in the preaching mission of the Gospel (as connected to the Dominican Order), we strive to live our lives with peace and joy. The term "penance" in our name should not lead anyone to think that our community advocates any form of personal suffering. On the contrary, our first members came together out of love for God, each other, and community. We are people of joy who desire that others find the joy in their lives that God, family, and community can bring.

Spirit of Obedience
The member strives to live according to the Gospel which advocates following one’s personal conscience by listening to the Word of God in one’s heart. The purpose of the idea of obedience is to strive to live God's will in one’s life through joy. Members are encouraged to remember that God calls us to a life of happiness. Our association does not advocate any practice that causes suffering or hardship to any member. Our “penance” is turned now to joy in God’s love. Our association is one that focuses on being a witness in the world. We believe that Love and Peace represent God more than any personal suffering.

Spirit of Poverty
The member advocates a humble lifestyle and makes an effort to lend financial support the mission of the Order of Penance of Saint Dominic when able. No member of the Association will be required to relinquish any resources in his personal possession. A life of “poverty” is not to be considered a life of destitution. It is to be a lifestyle that turns away from greed and becomes a lifestyle of sharing of resources for the good of others. Members should enjoy the benefit of a comfortable lifestyle free from financial worries so as to more fully devote themselves to the apostolic works of the Community. All members will receive the blessing of God in their respective financial situation.

Spirit of Mission
The member strives to engage in some apostolic work for the good of others.

Members should find a program of spirituality that brings them closer to God's love. We do not mandate any specific rituals or practices in this area. We advocate a spiritual life that is opened to experience a variety of perspectives.

Some of the practices embraced by our members…

• Morning and Evening Prayer, using the Divine Office
• Pray for all members of the Association and the Order of Preachers
• Pray for the Church and the Pope
• Spiritual Reading/Study
• Contemplative meditation
• Energy work and spiritual healing
• Scripture Reading in addition to Spiritual Reading
• Native American Spirituality
• Eastern Religious Studies
• Hebrew Studies
• Weekly attendance at the Traditional Rite Liturgy
• Non-denominational worship
• Monthly Community meeting
• Group Apostolate programs
• On-going Spirirtual Formation

Ministries of the Order of Penance of Saint Dominic...

The OPD engages in Deliverance Ministry, Homeless Ministry, Healing and Prayer Ministry, Promotion of the Perpetual Rosary Association, Outreach ministry, Teaching, Aid to Shut-ins, and Nursing Home Ministry. We minister with a special concern for those who feel cut off from the Church.

The OPD is open to new any new ministry that spreads the Light of God and gives the children of God knowledge of Salvation by the forgiveness of their sins...freeing them to experience the light within them.

Do you feel a call to bring the Light of Love to others?
For More Information Contact:
Bp. Tomas-Martin, OPD
DominicanVocations@hotmail.com