An old joke, especially known among members of the Order of Preachers, is a dialogue between a Dominican and a Jesuit:
Jesuit: “What do you think are the similarities between Jesuits and Dominicans?”
Dominican: “Oh, well, there are a few. Both orders were founded by Spanish saints: we Dominicans were founded by Santo Domingo de Guzman, and you Jesuits, by St. Ignatius of Loyola. Both orders, as well, were founded to fight against certain heresies: the Dominicans, to fight the Albigensians, just like you Jesuits were founded to fight Protestants.”
Jesuit: “And what would you say, Father, is the main difference between Jesuits and Dominicans?”
Dominican: “Well, have you seen any Albigensians lately?”
An online video game, recently developed by two friars of the Order of Preachers on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of its foundation, allows you to be a Dominican friar, dressed in full habit and cape, responsible for converting virtual Albigensians, while collecting candles and fragments of Aquinas’ Summa Theologica, on your way to St. Dominic’s church in DC.
The game, which shares the look-and-feel of the very first generation of Nintendo videogames (like the late 80s classic Kung-Fu), is the work of Father Thomas More Garrett, OP, and Brother Athanasius Murphy, OP who, according to the website of the Order of Preachers of the Province of St. Joseph, hope the game becomes an inspiration for possible new developments games that can join the wave of the New Evangelization.
To play “Passiontide”, you can click on this link. To move, simply use the arrow keys on your keyboard.
And today we celebrate...