Traditions

Four Pillars of Dominican Life

Study

Reflection

Community

Service

The Dominican University of California Shield

The Dominican University of California shield shows, against a black backdrop, a gold dog with a flaming torch in its mouth.  This symbol had its origin in a dream attributed to the mother of St. Dominic:  that she would bear a child who would set the world on fire with the wonder of his preaching.  The name of the Dominican order in Latin, DOMINICANES, (DOMINI CANES) – means hounds of the Lord.  In 1973, the Firebrand shield became the shield of the University, then Dominican College of San Rafael.  The University’s motto, Veritas fax ardens, means “Truth Is a Flaming Torch.”

School Songs

Alma Mater

Oer the hill of San Rafael up lifts the sun

A torch of fire has cleft the dark, the day has begun

Long long the years, darkness denied us, Light of the mind

You have up raised the torch - Mother benign

Dominic's child, Mother well born, we are your own

Be the fire you have given us, through the world sown.

Dominican

Dominican, Dominican; Our school to us so dear

We'll Honor you We'll cherish you through all the future years

Your flag unfolds the White and gold Beloved you'll always be

And from our hearts you'll never part

All Hail All Hail