Br. Joshua Quick's Vocation Story

My name is Joshua Quick and I have been accepted to the Order of Preachers, (Dominicans). I entered July 25, 2007, and will be vested with the habit on August 19, 2007. I am 28 years old. Before entering the order, I was serving as a school administrator at Providence K - 8 School in Huntsville, Alabama. I was born and raised in the St. Louis area and have been a Catholic since birth. Growing up, I attended both Catholic and public schools. I moved to Huntsville in 1997, and attended the University of Alabama where I received a degree in French. While in college, I was given the opportunity to spend a year in France teaching English conversation in Lille, a city in northern France. I was 19 years old during this overseas teaching endeavor. After completing my degree, I began to teach French at Huntsville High School. I decided to continue my education at the University of Alabama, where I received a Master's degree in educational administration. I was fortunate to be appointed assistant principal of Providence School at the age of 26. With this promotion, I became one of the youngest principals in the country.

I received my “call” during my primary years. My mother likes to remind me of my early childhood days when I would hold “unauthorized masses” in our living room using the ironing board as my altar and having my sisters serve as my congregation. I truly believe that this was my first inkling at a vocation in religious life. As I grew older, I though about it on and off. However, it was not until the last seven years that I seriously pursued my vocation. I began discerning with Father Thomas Woods, a priest in the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama and Father Michael Butler, a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri. About three years into my discernment, I received application papers for both dioceses. However, there always seemed to an element missing, specifically the four pillars I that I have found with the Dominicans. I tried to run from my vocation by fast-tracking myself through my career and establishing “the American dream” (house, car, etc.). However, the more I attempted to distance myself from my vocation, the louder the call became.

After putting my discernment on hold for about one year, I decided to continue my search in vocation. I began inquiry into different religious communities. After discerning communities, I found that I fell in love with the Dominicans. I began to visit the different priories of the Province of St. Albert the Great, the Province comprising the Midwest. For the first time in my seven-year search, I found a place where I fit. As I discerned with the Dominicans, the fit seemed mutual. I was accepted into the order in February, 2007.

What was the attraction to the Dominicans? First, I am an educator. I love to teach. Teaching is a major aspect of my vocation. Being an academic, two aspects appealed to me directly from the Dominican charism, preaching and study. Furthermore, I have come to realize that I do not have to be in a classroom in order to teach. Preaching is teaching. This is my way to glorify God and an ultimate means of salvation.

My call to the religious life, specifically the Dominicans, came about as a result of the fraternity that can be found among the religious brothers, hence the community aspect of the charism. This is one way in which the Dominicans glorify God. I came to understand that living in community, following the Dominican tradition, allows the brothers to support each other in a familial aspect and truly become witnesses of His word. I found that the brothers share in each other's successes and failures, confirming the familial aspect that I need to have in order to sustain my life as a religious.

The last element of the charism is prayer. Prayer is done in the familial community setting as well as in a personal setting. Prayer, in its various ways, will allow me to preach effectively. Prayer will also allow me to be at the service of the people as well as the Dominican community and to sustain a life of the evangelical counsels.

As with any vocation, mine is for the glory of God, my salvation, and the salvation of others. My goal at this point in time is complete surrender to God. God willing, I will participate in “The Sacred Preaching,” which is closely connected to St. Dominic and the Order of Preachers.

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