Setting the World on Fire

Laypersons receiving a divine call to preach in the Roman Catholic Church may feel caught between a rock and a hard place--both figuratively and ecclesiastically. They may feel constrained between the Rock of Peter and the hard place of resistance to the preaching gift they believe they have and their desire to share it. At first glance, the Roman Catholic Church, with its two millennia of Sacred Tradition, seemingly offers little that favors the inclusion of lay preachers. In addition, many lay preachers may experience the bias of clergy and assembly members who unconsciously presume there is no role for laity to preach within the Roman Catholic Church.Preaching does not occur solely within liturgical settings, or only via pulpit preachers. All Dominicans, as members of the Order of Preachers, are called to embody the Sacra Praedicatio--the Sacred Preaching. In fact, canon law does permit laity to preach in certain liturgical settings. Setting the World on Fire details one Roman Catholic woman's experience of her own call to preach, the grace and gifts brought to both the preacher and the assembly, as well as her desire to help all Dominicans--and indeed, all Christians--embrace their rightful role as ""preachers.""""In this pithy, persuasive, and passionate tome, Dejmek shows that there is only one vocation for all Dominicans: preaching. She explores theological, pastoral, canonical, and practical underpinnings for formal pulpit preaching by Lay Dominicans, not negating the importance of preaching within one's life, nor proposing that lay preaching compete in any way with that done by the ordained. She fans into flame a blaze that is already ignited.""--Barbara Reid, Academic Dean, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, IL""Dejmek has written a beautiful and passionate book that weaves experience and deep conviction of the vocation of each Dominican to preach the gospel. Her familiarity and articulation of papal documents, contemporary theology, and various genres of preaching build a convincing perspective for her insights. Her method of preaching invites and challenges readers to claim their charism for the good of the church and the world.""--Mary Margaret Pazdan, Professor Emerita, Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis, MO Laura R. Dejmek, OP, is a member of the Order of Preachers as a Lay Dominican. She currently serves as the Promoter of Preaching for Lay Dominicans in the Central Province (USA). Laura holds a doctorate of ministry in preaching and preaches regularly at both Roman Catholic and Episcopal parishes in the Chicago area, as well as online. In addition to her preaching ministry, she is also a full-time elementary school music teacher.