Day – 1
The Holy Patriarch St. Dominic was one of the greatest saints that God has provided his church with. The Holy Founder of the Order of Preachers (O.P), which gave birth to 69 other Saints and numerous Blesseds and martyrs. Even after 800 years the Dominican order flourishes in the Church. We at Rooha Mount seek to introduce to you this great Saint whom we have taken as one of our patrons in the following nine days in preparation for his feast May Jesus pour out an abundance of graces on all those who journey with us in to prayerfully celebrate his feast. Amen.
Two symbols – a star and a dog – are seen in most of the pictures depicting St. Dominic. These two symbols find their roots in the events around his birth and baptism.
A wonderful sign heralded the birth of St. Dominic. His mother dreamt that she saw her Child appear under the form of a dog, holding in its jaws a lighted torch, with which he Kindled the whole world.
When Dominic was presented at the baptismal font, a new sign manifested his future greatness. His godmother, mentioned by historians merely as a lady of noble birth, beheld in a dream a radiant star on the brow of the newly baptized, the brilliancy of which seemed to remain on Dominic’s countenance; and it was remarked, as a singular fact, that a constant radiancy illumined his brow, attracting the hearts of all beholders.
The Word of God says thus,
“My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed.”-Psalms 139:15-16 NRSV-CI
God has a unique plan for all individuals even before they are born. It was the case with St. Dominic, it is not different with us either. But it is our responsibility to seek out what God wants of us.
St. Dominic found out God’s plan for him by earnest prayer, meditation of the scriptures and partaking in the life of the Church. St. Paul too was chosen before he was created but it took him sometimes before he entered the path which God had prepared for him- he too found it in prayer and study of the scriptures.
Dear Children of God know that you’re called to great holiness. Achieving your holiness requires you to enter the lifestyle which God wants of you. Let us seek St. Dominic’s intercession in knowing God’s will for our lives.
Prayer
Dear St. Dominic, today I’ve learnt that I am called to great holiness and chosen by God the same way you were, pray and obtain for me the grace to enter into the true vocation which Jesus requires of me.
Lord Jesus, hear the prayers of your faithful servant who intercedes for us and shower upon us your graces, we make this prayer in your Holy Name. Amen.
Pray in honour of the saint:-
1 Our Father. 1 Hail Mary. 1 Glory be.
Sources:LIFE OF SAINT DOMINIC. BY THE REV. PÈRE H. D. LACORDAIRE, OF THE ORDER OF ST. DOMINIC, AND MEMBER OF THE FRENCH ACADEMY. TRANSLATED BY MRS. EDWARD HAZELAND.
PDM – Ruha Mount Attappadi
