Feast Day of St. Dominic

Today we Dominicans pause to remember and honor the founder of the Order of Preachers, our Father, St. Dominic de Guzman.

Nearly 800 years ago, this unique and talented man, reshaped the face of the Church of his day by combining the contemplative and apostolic vocations under one religious order. Since that time, Dominicans have tirelessly sought the salvation of souls. Daily they strive to faithfully fulfill their mission -  to Praise, to Bless, to Preach!

If you want a short but enlightening glimpse of who this man was, follow the suggestion of Ms. Marianne Jablonski, O.P., the current President of the Lay Fraternities of St. Dominic, St. Joseph Province, and spend some time today reading and pondering the saint's Last Will and Testament.

Steal away a few more quiet moments before day's end and honor our founder and the God who made him and Whom he served so tirelessly, by  reciting this Litany to St. Dominic, approved for private use.

Another suggestion if I might. Before your head hits the pillow tonight, ask God if he is calling you to be a Lay Dominican? Check us out.

Finally, let us end this joyous day with a Prayer to our beloved St. Dominic:

O Wonderful Hope, which thou gavest to those who wept for thee at the hour of thy death, promising after thy departure to be helpful to the brethren. 

Fulfill, O Father, what thou hast said, and help us by thy prayers. 

O thou, who didst shine illustrious by so many miracles wrought on the bodies of the sick, bring us the help of Christ to heal our sick souls. 

Fulfill, O Father, what thou has said, and help us by they prayers. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

Fulfill, O Father, what thou hast said, and help us by thy prayers. 

Pray for us, O holy Father, St. Dominic.

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. 

Let us pray: 

O God, who have enlightened Your Church by the eminent virtues and preaching of St. Dominic, Your Confessor and our Father, mercifully grant that by his prayers we may be provided against all temporal necessities, and daily improve in all spiritual good. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

(Source for image, Last Will and Testament and Litany to St. Dominic is The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia, commonly referred to as the Nashville Dominicans)