To Praise, To Bless, To Preach

This book gives a glimpse of Saint Dominic and fteen other blessed or canonized Dominicans who lived over the period until the twentieth century. Whether their major contributions were intellectual truths, spiritual truths, relief of hunger and physical discomfort, amelioration of social division, their own lives in martyrdom, or any kind of gift to the world, Saint Dominic and the fteen featured Dominicans transmitted a ow of God''s living energy in everyday situations, often where there was pain and suffering; and so in multifarious ways they led their contemporaries towards a greater awareness of God''s nature and powerful presence.These pages provide a glimpse and a memento of the overall contribution of the Dominican Order throughout the world. In addition to Fr Maurice Keating''s cover artwork, the book also includes readily accessible quality images of sixteen of his sketched portraits. A brief biography accompanies each sketch. In sketching these crayon portraits, Fr Maurice has reproduced works by various artists over the centuries. His renderings seem to capture and convey the emotions and moods of these men and women caught up in the Dominican experience and service of God. While the book is intended primarily for those with experience of, or interest in, the Dominican Order, it is hoped that the book will also be of value more widely for increased appreciation of Saint Dominic, the Dominicans and their charism. It also serves as a reminder of the closeness of God and the availability of God''s Kingdom to all those who prayerfully seek to do God''s will.Father Maurice Keating OP was born in Tasmania and since ordination has served in several Australasian parishes including the Solomon Islands. He presently serves at the Dominican parish of Our Lady of Graces in Carina, Brisbane. In his over fty years in the Dominican Order Fr Maurice Keating OP has been very proli c in his production of art, especially with Dominican themes. He has used various mediums in his artwork over the years, and whether based in Canberra, the Solomon Islands, Bomana in Papua New Guinea or in Brisbane he has always been productive and sought to respond where he saw a need for religious art to mediate a spiritual reality to those seeking an insight into the eternal. Here in this book he brings together art work of key Dominican saints with text by members of the Dominican laity from Brisbane, Australia.