Today we Dominicans and the
universal Church have the great privilege of celebrating the feast day and memorial of our
Father, St. Dominic! This day is especially
sweet this year - the 800th anniversary of the founding of the Order
of Preachers.
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| (Church of St. Vincent Ferrer, NYC) |
God has used and
continues to use the Order of Preachers to defend His Church and proclaim
His Truth. Since their founding, Dominicans have worked untiringly to save
souls. Every day, they strive to faithfully live their motto: "To Praise,
To Bless, To Preach."
In my mind, nothing captures
the charism of the Dominican Order and its founder better than this most succinct
and penetrating quotation attributed to St. Albert the Great:
“The roving dogs are the Order of Preachers who
do not wait at their homes for the poor but go out to them and lick the ulcers
of their sins, having in their mouths the bark of preaching.”
If you want a brief
glimpse into the life of St. Dominic and the various ways in which he
prayed take a look here. Want to look into The Dominican Soul? Interested in learning more about Dominican Spirituality,
than Father William A. Hinnebusch, O.P. would be a perfect guide. The Dominican Province of St. Joseph has
a phenomenal website well worth your time.
If you are looking
for more detailed reading material, may I suggest the following books: Life of St. Dominic by Bede Jarrett,
O.P., The Dominicans A Short History
by William A. Hinnebusch, O.P., In theImage of Saint Dominic – Nine Portraits of Dominican Life by Guy Bedouelle,
O.P., and Hounds of the Lord – Great DominicanSaints Every Catholic Should Know by Dr. Kevin Vost, Psy.D.
But before you go running to these links, let me share a personal reflection on my Lay Dominican vocation. Although I wrote this some sixteen years ago in a slightly different form, maybe God can use these paltry words to draw others to a life as a Lay Dominican. Check us out!
But before you go running to these links, let me share a personal reflection on my Lay Dominican vocation. Although I wrote this some sixteen years ago in a slightly different form, maybe God can use these paltry words to draw others to a life as a Lay Dominican. Check us out!
"As I reflect on my previous
year, and my formation in the Dominican novitiate, I see the hand of God. I was floundering spiritually, in need of
direction and desirous of learning the Truth and the Church's teachings. I realize now that I was not led to the Dominicans by accident
(although I came reluctantly at a friend's suggestion).
I learned that Dominic's initial energies were directed toward fighting heresy. Today, there is much confusion, ignorance and uncertainty in the Church. The Dominicans are a potent and trusted source whose zeal for preaching and saving souls motivates all that they do.
I learned that Dominic's initial energies were directed toward fighting heresy. Today, there is much confusion, ignorance and uncertainty in the Church. The Dominicans are a potent and trusted source whose zeal for preaching and saving souls motivates all that they do.
I also discovered that the
Dominicans had been involved in prisons and with prisoners (I had
spent 18 years in prison ministry) and that they were in the process of rediscovering
that apostolate.
I was very impressed when I understood
that St. Dominic created an order of contemplative nuns, whose life of prayer
would be the foundation of the Dominican order.
Without that prayerful base, St. Dominic knew neither he nor his new Order of itinerant preachers would be successful
in their mission to evangelize and save souls.
I learned the importance of
studying and sharing what I have learned with others. Not an easy thing to do - but a necessary
task if we are all to grow in our relationship with the Lord who created us and desires for us to spend eternity in His loving embrace.
I have a lot more to learn.
I cannot let my prayer and study become routine. I must be faithful to my daily duties to God,
family and neighbor. I must have the
courage to reflect on what God is teaching me and share that with those I love and
those in need of knowing Him..
I know that faithfulness to my Dominican vocation will bring me closer to God, embolden me to live my
life entirely for Him, to be Christ like to all, to save my soul and to be used by
God to help save other souls.
I desire these things not for my
own benefit, but for the glory of God.
St. Dominic prayed: "Lord, what will become of sinners?" I, a sinner, should also pray: " Lord,
what will become of this sinner?"
Lord, may I persevere in this difficult journey toward sanctification. Through Your grace may I become more
charitable, more merciful, more prayerful, more concerned for others, more
studious and hungry for learning, more joyful - in short, more like you.
Lord please show me where I have failed to consistently and faithfully live out my Dominican
vocation. Thank you for always encouraging me to start anew.
I love you Lord! May
the way I live my life demonstrate that love clearly, continuously and
unhesitatingly!!!
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Let us honor
this great saint today by offering the following prayer attributed to
him:
“May God the Father who made us bless
us.
May God the Son send his healing among us.
May God the Holy Spirit move within us and
May God the Son send his healing among us.
May God the Holy Spirit move within us and
give us eyes to see with, ears to hear
with, and
hands that your work might be done. May
we
walk and preach the word of God to all.
May
the angel of peace watch over us and
lead us
at last by God's grace to the Kingdom.”
St. Dominic pray for us!
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