The Domestic Prayer Missionaries of Saint Thorlák are a volunteer corps of laypeople who agree to pray; essentially, “missionaries-in-place,” praying in our current circumstances, in our present states of body and mind. 

We are “domestic,” meaning, staying in place; we pray from wherever we are able to be, transforming our group into one, common household, one family of God. Thus, Domestic Missionaries of St. Thorlák do our work from within the “home” of God’s Household.

This Domestic form of missionary work differs from that of missionaries who leave home to do their work elsewhere, publicly.

The Domestic Missionaries’ focus is prayer in any way we are capable:

• All forms of communication are suitable: fully spoken, low speaking, variably spoken and non-speaking.
• Any place suited to our desire to pray is acceptable: at home, in chapel, outdoors; standing, kneeling, sitting, walking, wherever we connect fully with God at any given moment.
• Many Domestic Missionaries spend their time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, but others may pray better in motion. Some “practice the presence of God” throughout the day, offering as we go, and some simply focus on the breath in prayer (e.g., breathe in “My Jesus,” breathe out “Mercy”) to create a “chapel of the heart” wherever we happen to be.
• Domestic Missionary prayer deliberately minimizes physical and social demands to keep our efforts focused on prayer. We draw special inspiration from the ways of Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, whose Practice of the Presence of God is an excellent model for anyone, in any state of ability or disability, to offer prayers efficaciously and sincerely alongside those called to more conventional and active forms of missionary work.

Our primary focus is praying year-round for the intentions of clergy of the Diocese of Reykjavík, Iceland, with a particular emphasis on making the Saint Thorlac Novena each July and December as our spiritual bouquet to the Bishop and all parishes there.

Become a Domestic Prayer Missionary of Saint Thorlak by downloading the booklet and prayer intentions, and joining us in praying for Iceland’s clergy!