FAQ

1) What is significant about the title Christopher’s Apologies?  Are you apologizing for something?

• “Apologetics” is derived from the Greek root work apologia.  In ancient Greece it referred to a formal debate of a belief, an explanation or argument for one’s philosophy or religion.  The word occurs several times in the New Testament, including sections of the Gospels, seeking to persuade unbelievers o the truth claims of the Church, especially the unique nature of the person and work of Jesus Christ.  When I received into the Dominican Order on June 17, 2007 I took the name Christopher Justin Martyr after St. Justin Martyr, a first century Christian apologist who wrote several “apologies” in defense of his Christian faith.

2) Where can I find out more information on the Dominican Order?

• If you click on the tab at the top of this page labeled Dominican Interests you can find dozens of links to sites dealing with Dominican Order.

3) Are you a priest or a deacon?

• I am neither; I am a member of the laity.  I’m often asked if I have any plans on becoming a permanent deacon in the Church; however, if I did it would change my ecclesial status in the Catholic Church from a lay person to an ordained minister.  By doing that I could no longer be a Lay Dominican.  Since I firmly believe that I have been called to model my spiritual life after St. Dominic, a calling to the diaconate would be a radical change in direction.  But, God has been known to radically change people’s direction before so ultimately I’m just striving to remain sensitive to what God wants me to do.

4) What are the words in the graphic at the top of the page?

• Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare (“to praise, to bless, to preach”) – it is the motto of the Dominican Order.