Category Archives: Dominican Saints

Dominican Saints, patron saints, Prayer, Spirituality

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Dominic, Feast Day August 8

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The feast day of St. Dominic is celebrated on August 8th. He was born in 1170 to Felix Guzman and Blessed Joan of Aza in Caleruega, Spain. After studying at the University at Palencia he was ordained a priest at the age of 25. St. Dominic was known for self-denial, holiness, piety and apostolic zeal. He refused to eat meat or sleep on a bed. He also renounced wealth.

In 1215 he founded an order of Dominican Nuns. Their mission was to care for young girls. This was followed by the founding of the Order of Preachers, which became known as the Dominicans. The purpose of the order was to preach the Word of God. They were also known as the “Black Friars”. The rule followed the Rule of St. Augustine. Their focus was on liturgical prayer and lifelong study.

The primary heresy the Dominicans preached against was Albigensianism. This was the belief that there are two dueling principles, good and evil, and that all matter was regarded as evil. They also taught that the devil is the creator of the material world.

A devotion which St. Dominic helped to spread is the Rosary. a Marian devotion, which combines meditation on the life of Christ, with memorized prayer. Tradition tells us that when Dominic became discouraged with the slow progress of his work of preaching against the Abligensian heresy, the Blessed Virgin appeared to him with a beautiful wreath of roses. She asked him to say the Rosary every day and to teach the people to say the Rosary. Soon the heresy began to disappear. The devotion of the rosary continues today.

After forming his order Dominic had a dream vision in which he met another person, a beggar. The next day, Dominic recognized this man when he came into his church. It was St. Francis of Assisi the future founder of the Franciscan Order. Dominic embraced him saying,

“You are my companion and must walk with me. For if we hold together, no earthly power can withstand us.”

St. Dominic and St. Francis were lifelong friends. Their orders celebrate their meeting on the feast day of their saint.

The motto of St. Dominic is: “To praise, to bless, to preach”. St. Dominic once said;

“Arm yourself with prayer, rather than a sword; wear humility rather than fine clothes.”

St. Dominic died on August 6, 1221 from a fever. Because of his love of learning and teaching, St. Dominic is known as the patron of astronomers.

 

Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you

after my death and I shall help you then

more effectively than during my life.

 

Quote of St. Dominic

St. Dominic in Art

August is the Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

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Dominican, Dominican Saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. John Dominic, Feast Day June 10

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Bl. John Dominic

 

The feast day of Bl. John Dominic is celebrated on June 10. 

Bl. John Dominic is also known as Giovanni Dominici.  He was born in Florence, Italy in 1350 to a family with a humble background.  He suffered a speech impediment which caused him to stammer and stutter.  While young, Bl. John spent much time in prayer at the Dominican Church of Santa Maria Navella.

At the age of 17 he was accepted into the Dominican Order in spite of his speech impediment and lack of education.  He studied in Pisa, Florence and the University of Paris where he received his degree in theology.

As a priest he served as a preacher in Venice, Italy for twelve years.  He was appointed vicar-provincial of the Roman Province.  He labored to help those affected by the Black Plague.  He also successfully renewed the Dominican Order.  In 1407 he was made cardinal and confessor of the Pope.    He attempted to heal the Western Schism and convinced Pope Gregory XII to call the Council of Constance.

In 1420 Bl. John Dominic died from a fever on June 10.

 

In the light of faith, we can regard the altar as the heavenly Father does.  

What does he see upon the altar?  

He sees the Son of His love…the Son in whom He is well pleased.

Quote of Bl. Columba Marmion, Feast day October 3

 

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

Dominican Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Louis de Montfort, Feast Day April 28

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St. Louis Marie de Montfort
St. Louis de Montfort

 

The feast day of St. Louis Marie de Montfort is celebrated on April 28.

St. Louis de Montfort was born on Jan 31, 1673 at Montfort, France. As a child he had a profound devotion to praying before the Blessed Sacrament. At the age of 12 he entered a Jesuit College in Rennes. While at college he visited church before and after class. He joined a society of men who ministered to the poor and the sick. He would read to those in the hospital during their meals. He studied theology in Paris. At the age of 27 he was ordained in 1700 and assigned as a hospital chaplain at Poitiers. He reorganized the staff which resulted in great resentment and his resignation.

Pope Clement XI appointed him to be a missionary and he went to Brittany to preach. He was an emotional preacher and was successful in spreading the devotion to the Blessed Virgin through the Rosary. He wrote “True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin” and “The Secret of the Rosary” which were very popular books.  He was also known for his devotion to the angels; especially guardian angels.

At the age of 37 St. Louis de Montfort became a Third Order Dominican.

For 17 years he preached the gospel in towns and villages. His preaching was known to move men to cry and beg for forgiveness. St. Louis preached against Jansenism. He founded the Daughters of Wisdom who worked in the hospitals and teaching girls and the Company of Mary which was for missionaries. St. Louis organized several priests into the Company of Mary in 1715. The Company of Mary was led for 39 years by Father Mulot who at first refused to join the Company due to being paralyzed on one side. He was however cured of his disability when he began to preach.’

St. Louis de Montfort fell ill and died on April 28, 1716.

 

 

Imitate the virtues of the Blessed Virgin, particularly her profound humility, her lively faith, her blind obedience, her continual prayer.

Quote of St. Louis Marie de Montfort

 

April is the Month of the Eucharist.

St. Louis de Montfort in Art

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Dominican Saints, Faith, Incorruptible, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Agnes of Montepulciano, Feast Day April 20

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St. Agnes of Montepulciar
St. Agnes of Montepulciano

 

The feast day of St. Agnes is celebrated on April 20.

St. Agnes was born into a noble family in Gracciano, Italy in 1268. On the day of her birth burning torches appeared around her crib indicating that she was to live a special calling. At the age of 4 she began seeking solitude to pray to Jesus whom she loved. She decided at the age of nine that she wished to become a Dominican and join the monastery at Montepulciano. Her parents were opposed so she asked God to change their minds. Soon after she joined the convent, living under the rule of St. Augustine.

St. Agnes lived an austere life. She slept on the ground with a stone for a pillow and fasted on bread and water. She worked without complaint. Agnes reached a high degree of contemplative prayer and was favored with many visions. She was observed levitating while in prayer two feet above the ground. Violet, lilies or roses often were found growing up through the stones where St. Agnes had just prayed. Many miracles were recorded while Agnes lived in the monastery including the multiplication of loaves.

The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Agnes several times. In the first vision Mary said that she would one day found a large monastery based on faith in God and the Trinity. An angel instructed her to build the convent in 1300. On the night of the Feast of the Assumption the Blessed Virgin Mary placed the Infant Jesus in St. Agnes’ arms. She encouraged Agnes to continue suffering for the love of Christ. Agnes had been sick most of her life. When the vision ended Agnes was holding the gold cross that the Infant Jesus had been wearing on a chain. Mary also appeared to Agnes on the Feast of the Purification while Agnes was at Mass. She again let Agnes hold the Infant Jesus.

Shortly before her death, Agnes bathed in a spring thought to have healing powers. Although it did not cure her a new spring appeared which healed many. It was named “the Water of St. Agnes.” While there Agnes prayed over a child who had just drowned, bringing the child back to life.

St. Agnes died at the monastery in 1317 at the age of 43. Many miracles occurred at her tomb. Her body is incorrupt. St. Agnes was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726.

 

The life of Christ has furnished me with a pattern for living; but His death has delivered me from death.

Quote of St. Bernard; Feast day Aug. 20

 

April is the Month of the Eucharist.

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Dominican Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Vincent Ferrer, Feast Day April 5

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St. Vincent Ferrer
St. Vincent Ferrer

The feast day of St. Vincent Ferrer is celebrated on April 5.

St. Vincent Ferrer was born on Jan. 23, 1350 at Valencia, Spain. Before he was born his father had a prophetic dream in which a Dominican preacher told him his son would be famous. His mother was told by a blind woman that her son would restore her sight. (He did restore her sight.)

As a child St. Vincent had a devotion to the Passion of Christ and honored his spiritual mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. He chose to enter the Dominican Order. After making his profession he was appointed to lead lectures of philosophy and published a treatise at the age of 24.

During one period of his life, Vincent was tried by serious temptations of the flesh. Through prayer and penance he survived the ordeal.

St. Vincent encouraged praying the rosary by saying…

“Whoever observes this practice is beyond the reach of adversity!”

During the last twenty years of his life he preached in Spain, France, Switzerland, the Low countries and Lombardy. He stressed the need for repentance. He was known for his preaching and successfully converted many thousands of people. However he was always known for his humility. He was also known for his gift of healing; cripples walked, the mute spoke and the blind were able to see.

St. Vincent fell ill with fever and died in 1419.

 

Once humility is acquired, charity will come to life; a burning flame devouring the corruption of vice and filling the heart so full that there is no place for vanity.

Quote of St. Vincent Ferrer

 

April is the Month of the Eucharist




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Doctor of the Church, Dominican Saints, Faith, Incorruptible, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Catherine of Siena, Feast Day April 29

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St. Catherine of Siena Public Domain Image
St. Catherine of Siena

The feast day of St. Catherine of Siena is celebrated by the Catholic Church on April 29.  St. Catherine is the patron saint against fire, illness and miscarriage.

St. Catherine was the 25th child to Giacomo and Lapa Benincase. She was born in 1347. Her father was a          wealthy wool dyer in Northern Italy. She began having   mystical experiences at the age of six, seeing guardian angels clearly. She also had visions of Heaven, hell and purgatory. She consecrated herself to Christ at the age of seven.

At the age of 16, Catherine became a Dominican tertiary (lay Dominican), continuing to have visions of Christ, Mary and the saints. In many of her ecstasies, Catherine fell into fire; however, she was untouched by the flames. This is why she is the patron saint against fire.

St. Catherine received a divine call to enter the public life . She began writing letters to princes and republics of Italy. She was consulted by papal legates. She persuaded Pope Gregory XI to return to Rome from Avignon and reform the clergy and the Papal States. She referred to the pope as “sweet Christ on earth”. St. Catherine also cared for the sick (working among lepers) , served the poor and worked tirelessly to convert sinners. St. Catherine’s reputation for holiness grew.

On the 4th Sunday of Lent, 1375, she received the Stigmata, (the wounds of Christ). They were only visible after her death.

St. Catherine’s writings are considered historical in the Church. They include: “The Dialogue, Letters of Catherine Siena and Little Talks with God.

At the age of 33, on April 29, 1380, Catherine died of a mysterious and painful illness which came on without notice. It was not diagnosed. Her body was discovered to be in-corrupt in the year 1430. In 1970, Pope Paul VI declared St. Catherine of Siena to be a Doctor of the Church.

 

Enough of all this soft soap!  All it does is cause the members of Christ’s Spouse to stink!

Quote of St. Catherine of Siena

 

 

St. Catherine of Siena in Art

 

St. Catherine of Siena
St. Catherine of Siena
St. Catherine of Siena

 

St. Catherine of Siena
St. Catherine of Siena
St. Catherine of Siena
St. Catherine of Siena

 

St. Catherine of Siena
St. Catherine of Siena

April is the Month of the Eucharist.

Author:   Vicki Scheenstra

Dominican Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Ambrose Sansedoni, Feast Day March 20

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St. Ambrose

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Ambrose Sansedoni, Feast Day March 20

The feast day of St. Ambrose Sansedoni is celebrated on March 20.

St. Ambrose Sansedoni was born in Siena, Italy in 1220. At birth, he was very deformed. He needed the care of a nurse. The nurse found that he was most peaceful when he was in St. Mary Magdalene Church near the altar. She reported that an unknown pilgrim said,

“Do not cover that child’s face. He will one day be the glory of this city.”

A few days later the child stretched out his deformed limbs saying the name “Jesus” and was healed; all of his deformities were gone

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As a child Ambrose was very devout. He prayed and meditated during the night. He was drawn to reading the lives of the saints and reciting from the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin.

At the age of 17, he joined the Dominicans in Siena, Italy. He was sent to study for the priesthood in Paris, France and Cologne, Germany with St. Thomas Aquinas. As a priest he devoted himself to preaching and teaching. He became well known for his elegant preaching. He also became a peacemaker; restoring peace between Venice and Genoa and also between Florence and Pisa.

St. Ambrose died of natural causes in 1287. His writings have not survived.

 

To be an angel in prayer, and a beast in one’s relations with people is to go lame in both legs.

St. Francis de Sales; Feast day January 24

 

March is the Month of St. Joseph

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Dominican Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Henry Suso, Feast Day March 2

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Bl. Henry Suso Public Domain Image
Bl. Henry Suso

The feast day of Bl. Henry Suso is celebrated on March 2.

Bl. Henry Suso was born Heinrich von Berg in Constance, Swabia in 1300. He became a Dominican at an early age, studying under Meister Eckhart in Cologne. After making his profession he returned to Constance to teach and write. He wrote many books which were popular during the middle ages. The Little Book of Eternal Wisdom was written by Bl. Henry Suso.

At the age of 18, Bl. Henry Suso had a mystical experience which changed his life. He was filled with divine light and joy which seemed to transport him out of the world. From this point on, he had a burning love for the Eternal Wisdom which dominated his thoughts and led his actions. He referred to himself as “the Servant of the Eternal Wisdom”.

Bl. Henry Suso also preached in Switzerland and was an adviser to the Dominican Order.

Bl. Henry Suso died in 1366.  Pope Gregory XVI beatified him in 1831.

 

A man who has not suffered, what does he know?

Quote of Bl. Henry Suso; Feast day, March 2

 

March is the Month of St. Joseph

 

Dominican Saints, Faith, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Catherine dei Ricci, Feast Day Feb. 13

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St. Catherine dei Ricci 2

The feast day of St. Catherine dei Ricci is celebrated on Feb. 13.  She is the patron saint of the sick.

St. Catherine was born in 1522 in Italy. Her baptismal name was Alexandria, however she took the name Catherine when she joined the Dominican Order. As an infant her mother died and she was raised by her godmother. As a child she was known for her love of praying in solitude. She also talked to her guardian angel and learned to pray the rosary. At the age of six her father placed her in a convent in Florence, Italy, where her aunt was the Abbess.

Alexandria joined the Dominican nuns at Prat in Tuscany when she was 14 taking the name of Catherine. By he age of 25 she was the perpetual prioress. She had a great reputation for sanctity. Although they never met, she corresponded to St. Philip Neri, also known as the Apostle of Joy.

St. Catherine had a great devotion to the Passion of Christ. In 1541 she had a heartbreaking vision of the crucifixion which confined her to bed for three weeks finally recovering on Holy Saturday by a vision of St. Mary Magdalene and the risen Jesus. For 12 years she experienced ecstasy every Thursday from noon until Friday at 4 p.m. During the visions she received the stigmata, the wound in the left side and the crown of thorns. She offered her suffering for the Holy souls in Purgatory.

Many people came to witness her ecstasy, even though she did not like the attention it caused. One of her visions was of receiving a ring from the lord as a sign of her espousal to him.

Three popes were known to have asked her for her prayers; Pope Marcellus II, Pope Leo XI and Pope Clement VIII.

St. Catherine is the patron saint of sick people because she cared for the sick while living in the convent. She died after a long illness at the age of 68 in 1590.

“If we really want to love, we must learn how to forgive.”

Quote of St. Teresa of Calcutta; Feast day Sept. 5

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February is the Month of the Passion of the Lord

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