There are also several mottoes created to succinctly express Dominican Charism. The following three are the most famous.
1. Veritas (Truth).
Seeking the Truth is another way in which Dominicans would
describe our spirituality. We are seekers of light, insight and an ever deepening
understanding of other people, the world around us and the action of God. The
Dominican torch is a frequent symbol of that light. We might say that our
vocation is rooted in a fearless search for truth. We are the flame of that truth (Veritas).
2. Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare
(To Praise, To Bless
to Preach).
Bro. Peter Ferrando OP (+1254) in his life of St. Dominic Chapter 32, describes the visit of the legate of the Pope, bishop Conrad of Ostia to the priory of Bologna. He was suspicious about the new Order, so he wanted to investigate about what kind of Religious Order it was. After his inquiry, he described the new Religious Order as dedicated only to Praising God (Laudare), Blessing His people (Benedicere), and Preaching God's Word (Praedicare).
3. Contemplata aliis Tradere (to share with others the fruits of contemplation). This motto was created by our Bro. St. Thomas Aquinas OP, when explaining that the best religious way of life is the one who not only contemplates, but that share the contemplated God's truth to others (Sum. Theol. II-II, q.188, a.6, c.).
Dominicans live a life that is both active contemplation and contemplative action. Like breathing in and out, we know that to be effective preachers we need both: to contemplate the Word and the world and at the same time, our reflection on the world demands a clear and free response to need which brings us to action. So we act contemplatively and contemplate actively.
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