Hello all, Happy feast day to all born, baptized and married today Happy feast day to all Deacons, Seminarians, Priests, Cardinals, Bishops, Monks, Nuns, Religious Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus. Happy feast day to all named Dominic and parents of all named Dominic Happy feast day especially to all Catholic Pious parents who teach their children the Catholic doctrines, the Love of Jesus and the devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary Happy feast day to all members of the “Religious Order of Preachers”, popularly known as the “Dominicans” Happy feast day to all devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary Happy feast day to all Children of Mary, especially all who recite the Holy Rosary in Her Honour with true devotion Happy feast day to all Catholic Missionaries Today (8th of August) marks the liturgical memorial of Saint Dominic de Guzman He is also known as: Santo Domingo de Guzmán, or Saint Dominic of Osma He was born 1170 at Calaruega, Burgos, Old Castile, Spain He was born of wealthy Spanish nobility. His father, Don Felix de Guzmán, held the post of royal warden of the village His mother, was a woman of unusual sanctity She is known as Blessed Joan of Aza She is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church on the 2nd of August Catholic History tells us that when Blessed Joan of Aza was pregnant for Saint Dominic, she had a vision that her unborn child was a dog who would set the world on fire with a torch it carried in its mouth; a dog bearing a torch in its mouth became a symbol for the Dominicans. When Saint Dominic was born, two of his older brothers were already studying for the Catholic priesthood. At his baptism, Saint Dominic’s mother saw a star shining from his chest. As Dominic grew older, he followed the path of his elder brother. In the year 1184, Saint Dominic entered the University of Palencia. He studied theology at Palencia. After he had learned the rudiments, Dominic was initiated into clerical studies by his mothers brother, who was also a Catholic Priest! As a student, Dominic sold his books to feed the poor during a famine, and offered himself to ransom a slave. At the age of twenty-five, after taking the religious habit he became the acting Superior of the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine in Osma in 1199 He was soon offered an episcopal chair at Compostella In 1208, Dominic participated in the evangelical crusade to recall the people of the Albigensian region to the true faith of the Catholic Church. Welcomed by the local bishop, Dominic and his colleagues became established as diocesan preachers and Dominic cultivated his design for an order devoted to preaching and enlightening the ignorant and all who would not accept the faith. Catholic History tells us that by 1215, Dominic’s design had taken shape, calling for a body of highly trained Catholic Priests on a monastic basis, bound by vows emphasizing poverty, but devoted to the active work of preaching and teaching anywhere and everywhere. In year 1215, Dominic founded the Order of Friars Preachers, popularly known as the Dominicans. They were a group of Catholic Priests who lived a simple and austere life Catholic Tradition informs us that “The Order of Preachers” received papal approval in 1216, during the pontificate of Pope Honorius III (who was the 177th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church since the Pontificate of Saint Peter the Apostle). History tells us that Pope Honorius III approved for an order to be named: The Order of Preachers (Ordo Praedicatorum, popularly known as the Dominican Order). Thereafter Dominic dispersed his brotherhood to preach across Europe while he tirelessly continued preaching and traveling. Following Dominic’s ideals to this day, the Dominicans place emphasis on scholarship and evangelism. Catholic History also confirms that Dominic found an “order of nuns” The order for nuns was dedicated to the care of young girls. Dominic was a Visionary. He was also a friend of Saint Amata of Assisi, who was a niece of Saint Clare of Assisi Saint Amata of Assisi is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church on the 20th of February Like the Franciscans, the Dominicans went directly to the people to spread the word of God. They were both mendicant orders, which means that they were supported by donations. Dominic made his headquarters in Rome, although he traveled extensively in the interests of his growing brotherhood of monks. Dominic was made Master of the Sacred Palace, who functions as the personal theologian to the popes. It has ever since been occupied by clerics of the Dominican Order. Dominic was a lifelong apostolate among heretics, especially Albigensians, and especially in France He traveled with his bishop through France. These travels exposed Dominic to the difficulties that the Church then faced quieting the Albigensian heretics, many of whom improperly led lives of extreme austerity and regarded lay people as reprobates. Dominic also worked with Blessed Peter of Castelnau, who is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church on the 15th of January every year. Catholic History tells us that at one point Dominic became discouraged at his personal effort and at the progress of his mission; because the heresies and unbelievers still remained. Catholic Tradition informs us that Dominic received a vision from the Blessed Virgin Mary to encourage him and win more souls for salvation. The Blessed Virgin showed him a wreath of roses, and taught him how to say the Holy Rosary daily, She advised Dominic to teach the Holy Rosary to all who would listen! Eventually the true faith won out. Dominic is often credited with the invention of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Legend says that Dominic received a vision of a beggar who, like Dominic, would do great things for the Catholic Faith. Dominic met the beggar the next day! History tells us that Dominic embraced him and said, You are my companion and must walk with me. If we hold together, no earthly power can withstand us. The beggar was Saint Francis of Assisi! Throughout his life, Dominic is said to have zealously practiced rigorous self-denial. He abstained from meat and observed stated fasts and periods of silence. Dominic selected the worst accommodations and the meanest clothes, and never allowed himself the luxury of a bed. When traveling, he beguiled the journey with spiritual instruction and prayers. As soon as he passed the limits of towns and villages, he took off his shoes, and, however sharp the stones or thorns, he trudged on his way barefooted. Rain and other discomforts elicited from his lips nothing but praises to God. Death came at the age of fifty-one and found Dominic exhausted with the austerities and labors of his eventful career. Dominic had reached at the convent of Saint Nicholas at Bologna, Italy, weary and sick with a fever. He refused the repose of a bed and made the monks lay him on some sacking stretched upon the ground. The brief time that remained to him was spent in exhorting his followers to have charity, to guard their humility, and to make their treasure out of poverty. He promised them that he would continue to guide them in spirit - a promise which he has kept. He advised them to keep the faith and say the “Rosary Daily” as the Blessed Virgin had instructed Dominic died at noon on the 6th August 1221, at Bologna, Italy. The name Dominic means “belonging to God” He was given the degree of heroic virtues and was canonized as Saint Dominic de Guzman, at Rieti, Italy on the 3rd of July, 1234 by Pope Gregory IX (who was the 178th Bishop of Rome since the Pontificate of Saint Peter the Apostle). The Catholic Church was later expanded and grew into the Basilica of Saint Dominic, consecrated in 1251, by Pope Innocent IV (who was the 180th Vicar of Christ since the Pontificate of Saint Peter the Apostle) Saint Dominic de Guzman was buried, according to his wishes, under the feet of his brethren. He was moved into a simple sarcophagus in 1233. The spread of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is attributed to the preaching of Saint Dominic de Guzman The Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary has for centuries been at the heart of the Dominican Order. Pope Pius XI (who was the 259th Servant of God since the Pontificate of Saint Peter the Apostle) tells us: The Rosary of Mary is the principle and foundation on which the very Order of Saint Dominic rests for making perfect the life of its members and obtaining the salvation of others. For centuries, Dominicans have been instrumental in spreading the Holy Rosary and emphasizing the Catholic belief in the power of the Rosary ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote of the Day Saint Dominic de Guzman tells us: A man who governs his passions is master of his world. We must either command them or be enslaved by them. It is better to be a hammer than an anvil. - Saint Dominic ------------------------------------------------------------- Reflection of the Day Dominic possessed such great integrity and was so strongly motivated by Divine love, that without a doubt he proved to be a bearer of honor and grace. And since a joyful heart animates the face, he displayed the peaceful composure of a spiritual man in the kindness he manifested outwardly and by the cheerfulness of his countenance. Wherever he went he showed himself in word and deed to be a man of the Gospel. During the day no one was more community-minded or pleasant toward his brothers and associates. During the night hours no one was more persistent in every kind of vigil and supplication. He seldom spoke unless it was with God, that is, in prayer, or about God; and in this matter he instructed his brothers. Frequently he made a special personal petition that God would deign to grant him genuine charity in caring for and obtaining the salvation of men. For he believed that only then would he be truly a member of Christ, when he had given himself totally for the salvation of men, just as the Lord Jesus, the Savior of all, had offered himself completely for our salvation. So, for this work, after a lengthy period of careful and provident planning, he founded the Orders of Friars Preachers. In his conversations and letters he often urged the brothers of the Order to study constantly the Old and New Testaments. He always carried with him the gospel according to Matthew and the epistles of Paul, and so well did he study them that he almost knew them from memory. Two or three times he was chosen bishop, but he always refused, preferring to live with his brothers in poverty. Of him Pope Gregory IX declared: I knew him as a steadfast follower of the apostolic way of life. There is no doubt that he is in heaven, sharing in the glory of the apostles themselves. (-From various writings on the history of the Order of Preachers) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In its first 100 years, “the Order of Preachers” grew to 30,000 members from across Europe. Saint Dominic is the patron Saint of Astronomers and astronomy He is also the Patron Saint of the Dominican Republic He is the Patron Saint of falsely accused people He is also the Patron Saint of Santo Domingo Indian Pueblo, He is the Patron Saint of Valletta and Birgu (Malta) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prayer of Saint Dominic May God the Father who made us bless us. Amen! May God the Son send his healing among us. Amen! 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. Amen! May we walk and preach the word of God to all. Amen! May the angel of peace watch over us and lead us at last by God’s grace to the Kingdom. Amen! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prayer to Saint Dominic Oh Wonderful Saint Dominic, founder of the eloquent Order of Preachers and friend of Saint Francis of Assisi, you were a fiery defender of the Faith and a fighter against the darkness of heresy. You resembled a great star that shone close to the world and pointed to the Light which was Christ. Please ask our Lady (the Blessed Virgin Mary) to help us say the Holy Rosary with true devotion, we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen! -------------------------------------------------------- Let us pray ( Oremus): God our Father, may Saint Dominic come to the help of your Church by his merits and teaching, O Lord, and may he, who was an outstanding preacher of your truth, be a devoted intercessor on our behalf. We humbly ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever, Amen. -------------------------------------------- Let us pray that by the works, spiritual direction, spiritual maturity and intercession of Saint Dominic de Guzman, we may in this group find the spiritual motivation to win our souls for God. Amen May we all in this group and beyond this group, Christians and non Christians alike, Catholics and non Catholics alike, be saved from the fires of hell and lifted up into heaven after our stay here on this exile. Amen May our Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of Saint Dominic and other Saints before and after him and through Gods Divine Mercy strengthen our souls, open out the way for us all, and above all, intoxicate us with HIS love. Amen May Christ make us into blazing fires to enkindle the earth with the heavenly fire HE brought us. Amen Summary of the life history and works of Saint Dominic can be viewed by clicking the photo of the saint in our groups photo section Saint of the day, would be communicated to you as promptly and consistently as humanly possible, by Gods grace. Jesus we love you, all we have is yours, yours we are and yours we want to be, please do with us whatever you will. Amen Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we give you our lives and our salvation. Amen Jesus, Mary we love you, please save our souls. Amen God bless you and grant your heart’s desire. Amen Saint Dominic de Guzman, pray for us. Amen Please click the links to view the promises of our Lady to those who recite the Holy Rosary. ewtn/vexperts/showmessage.asp?number=438582 maryourmother.net/Rosary.html maryourmother.net/Mary.html rosary-center.org/shrine.htm
Posted on: Fri, 08 Aug 2014 15:57:11 +0000