Tag Archives: Dominican

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

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Thomas Aquinas, Feast Day January 28

Quote February 3, 2017 Vicki Scheenstra

Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. Thomas Aquinas,

Feast Day January 28

The feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas is celebrated on Jan. 28. He is the patron saint of students and universities and a Doctor of the Church. He was ordained as a Dominican Priest.

St. Thomas was born in Roccasecca, Sicily in 1225. His parents were from Italian nobility. St. Thomas was well educated. He was raised in a Benedictine monastery at Monte Casino. He finished his studies at Naples.

Against his families wishes he joined the Dominicans, also known as the Order of Preachers and was ordained a priest. His brothers followed careers in the military. In an attempt to end his desires to become a Dominican, his brothers hired a prostitute to seduce him. According to legend, two angels appeared to Thomas to strengthen him and increase his determination to remain celibate. He thus became known as the “Angelic Doctor”.

While he was still a student, St. Thomas was given the nickname “the dumb ox” due to his large size and silent nature. However, he was actually quite gifted and intelligent. He is considered one of the most influential theologians in the history of the Church.

After he was ordained a priest, Pope Urban IV called him to Rome where he was appointed to teach. St. Thomas turned down an offer from Pope Clement IV to be the Archbishop of Naples.

St. Thomas published many books. He also wrote many hymns which are still sung today. One of St. Thomas most famous works, Summas Theologica was never completed. He fell ill and died before he could finish it in 1274.

St. Thomas was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius V. He is the patron saint of students and universities.

O Lord my God, make me submissive without protest,
poor without discouragement, chaste without regret,
patient without complaint, humble without posturing,
cheerful without frivolity, mature without gloom,
and quick witted without flippancy.

Quote of St. Thomas Aquinas

January is the Month of the Holy Name.

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

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Raymond of Penyafort, Feast Day January 7

January 10, 2017 Vicki Scheenstra

The feast day of St. Raymond is celebrated on January 7. He is the patron saint of canon lawyers.

St. Raymond was born in Spain in 1174. He was related to the King of Aragon. After becoming a well-known teacher, he decided to join the Order of Preachers, also known as the Dominicans.

Thousands of Muslims are believed to have been converted to Christianity by his influence. St. Raymond had a great devotion to the Blessed Virgin. He founded the Order of Our Lady of Ransom. The order devoted itself to helping Christians who had been captured by the Moors during the crusades.

St. Raymond compiled Church decisions and decrees for the Pope. His collection filled five books. He is the patron saint of canon lawyers.
For two years Raymond was the leader of the Dominicans. After he resigned the position, he devoted himself to what he loved most; praising God and preaching about him to the people.

St. Raymond died in the year 1275 at the age of 100.

“We can do no great things;

only small things with great love.”

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

January is the Month of the Holy Name

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Dominican, Dominican Saints, Martyr, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Alcober, Feast Day December 30

Quote January 3, 2017 Vicki Scheenstra

Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. John Alcober, Feast Day December 30

The feast day of St. John Alcober is celebrated on December 30. He was a Dominican Priest, a missionary to China and a Martyr of the Church.

St. John Alcober was born in Granada.in 1694. He entered the Order of Preachers, also known as the Dominicans, in 1709. When marooned for a time on Lorca, he became popular there as a preacher. He reached China in 1728 where he was a missionary for sixteen years. His ministry was done in secret. St. John is considered one of the Martyrs of China.

He, along with Francis Serrano and Father Francis Diaz, was tortured to disclose the location of Bishop Pere Sans Jorda and Father Joachim Royo, who surrendered to stop the torture.

St. John Alcober, St. Francis Serrano, St. Joachim Royo, and St. Francis Diaz were all martyred on October 18, 1739.

“The prayer of a good innocent,

and obedient child is like dew

from heaven falling upon

his whole family.”

Quote of St. John XXIII; Feast Day October 11

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

Doctor of the Church, Dominican, Dominican Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Albert the Great, Feast Day Nov. 15

Quote November 16, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. Albert the Great, Feast Day Nov. 15

The feast day of St. Albert the Great is celebrated on November 15. He is the patron saint of scientists and philosophers.

St. Albert the Great was born in Germany. After experiencing an encounter with the Virgin Mary he was inspired to join the Dominican Order also known as the Order of Preachers.

St. Albert was well educated and respected for his knowledge of science and theology, He received his doctorate from the University of Paris in 1245. He studied and commented on the works of Aristotle. Eventually, he became a professor of theology the the University of Paris. He became bishop of Regenburg in 1260. Because he refused to ride a horse and traveled entirely by foot he became known as “boots the bishop”). St. Thomas Aquinas was one of his students, later becoming a good friend.

St. Albert was a prolific writer. His writings are compiled in 38 volumes. He wrote about many subjects including philosophy, geography, astronomy, law and love.

St. Albert became well known as a mediator of disputes. He became ill and died on November 15, 1280.

St. Albert was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1931 and declared a Doctor of the Church.

Three years after his death his body was discovered to be incorrupt. However, when his grave was opened centuries later, only a skeleton was found. His relics are found in St. Andreas Church in Cologne.

It is by the path of love, which is charity,

that God draws near to man, and man to God.

But where charity is not found, God cannot dwell.

If, then, we possess charity, we possess God,

for God is Charity.

Quote of St. Albert the Great

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

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

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Martin de Porres, Feast Day Nov. 3

Quote November 5, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. Martin de Porres,

Feast Day Nov. 3

St. Martin was born in Lima, Peru in 1579. He was the son of the governor of Panama. His mother Anna Martin was a freed black slave. St. Martin is the patron saint of social justice and barbers.

When he was 15, he became a Dominican Friar. He worked as a barber, farm laborer and in the infirmary. In the infirmary he cared for the sick. His medical knowledge regarding herbs was discovered and put to good use.

He begged from the rich to support the sick. His desire was to become a foreign missionary and earn martyrdom. Because this was not possible he offered his body to God. He received many spiritual gifts in return for his penances. Martin loved both humans and animals. He established an orphanage and children’s hospital. He also established a shelter for cats and dogs. He was a friend to St. Rose of Lima. St. Martin de Porres is the first black saint from the Americas.

St. Martin de Porres had many spiritual gifts. He had healing power and a prophetic gift. He could see into the future and read hearts. St. Martin died Nov. 3, 1639. His body is incorrupt.

Miracles were reported at his tomb.

St. Martin was canonized by Pope John XXIII in 1962.

Compassion is preferable to cleanliness,

With a bit of soap I can clean my bed,

but think of the flood of tears I would

require to clean from my soul

the stain that harshness against

this unfortunate would leave.

Quote of St. Martin de Porres

November is the Month of the Holy Souls

Author: Vicki Scheenstra

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Dominican, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Ambrose of Sienna, Feast day October 8

Quote October 8, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Ambrose of Sienna,

Feast day October 8

Bl. Ambrose of Sienna was born on April 16, 1220. He was born with a congenital deformity. Cared for by a nurse, she took him to Mass at The Dominican Church of St. Mary Magdalene.

It was noticed that little Ambrose was always calm near the altar. When they left the altar he would cry. At about the age of a year while they were near the altar Ambrose distinctly pronounced the sacred name of Jesus. He was instantly healed of his deformity.

Not surprisingly, Ambrose was a very pious child. At the age of seven he spent his time in meditation and praying the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin. His Father was an illuminator of books. One of the gifts he gave Ambrose was a book of saints. It became Ambrose favorite book.

At the age of 17 Ambrose joined the Dominican Friars. He was sent to Paris to study with St. Albert the Great. St. Thomas Aquinas was a fellow student. Ambrose was influenced by the writing of St. Thomas Aquinas which convinced him to preach rather than write.

Bl. Ambrose preached in Germany, France and Italy, living a life of constant prayer. He became known as a peacemaker. He restored peace between Venice and Genoa and also Florence and Pisa. He was sent on many peacemaking missions.

Bl. Ambrose was given the gift of ecstasy and vision. After his death miracles were reported at his tomb.

If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship,

he would keep it in port forever.

Quote of St. Thomas Aquinas; Feast Day January 28

October is the Month of the Most Holy Rosary

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Dominican Saints, Incorruptible, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Bertrand of Garrigua, Feast Day September 6

Quote September 9, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

Bl. Bertrand of Garrigua,

Feast Day September 6

The feast day of Bl. Bertrand of Garrigua is celebrated on September 6. He was born in Garrigua, France in 1195. Bl. Bertrand was ordained a secular priest preaching with the Cistercians against the Albigenses. In the year 1216 he met St. Dominic. He soon joined St. Dominic helping him to found the Order of Preachers.

While St. Dominic was in Rome seeking approval of his new order he left Bertrand in charge. He was an important part in the founding of the Order of Preachers, becoming known as the “second Dominic”. He was known to be a traveling companion with St. Dominic.

Bl. Bertrand was known for continually weeping for his sins. St. Dominic convinced him that it would be better to pray for ht sins of others instead. Bertrand continued weeping, however, he was weeping for others sins instead of his own. After having a vision he also began to pray for the souls in purgatory.

Bl. Bertrand fell sick while preaching a mission in 1230 and died at the age of 35.

The body of Bl. Bertrand was found to be incorrupt in 1881, 23 years after his death.

Bl. Bertrand was beatified by Pope Leo XIII in 1881.

A person who governs his passions is master of the world. We must either rule them or be ruled by them. It is better to be the hammer than the anvil.

Quote of St. Dominic; Feast Day August 8

September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

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Dominican Saints, patron saints, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Rose of Lima, Feast Day August 23

Quote August 23, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. Rose of Lima, Feast Day August 23

St. Rose of Lima Public Domain Image — St. Rose of Lima

The feast day of St. Rose of Lima is celebrated on August 23. She is the first saint of the Americas and known as the First Flower of America and the Patroness of the New World. She is the patron saint of florists and gardeners.

St. Rose was born in April 1586 in Lima, Peru to Oliva and Gaspar Flores. She was the 7th of 11 children. Her birth name was Isabel. However, her mother and friends witnessed a mystical rose descend from the air and light on her face while she was just an infant. From then on she was called Rose.

Rose clearly had a religious calling from an early age. After reading about St. Catherine of Siena, she decided to imitate her. She fasted at least 3 times a week. She found ways to do penance and offer her suffering for the good of others. She understood redemptive suffering from an early age. When given praise for her beauty, she cut her hair and disfigured her face by rubbing it with pepper. She was also know for placing thorns under the garland of roses she wore in her hair to remind her of the crown of thorns Jesus wore.

St. Rose wished to enter the convent. However, her parents refused to let her. Finally, after ten years of struggle and refusal to marry she became a Third Order Dominican. She lived in her home just as St. Catherine of Siena did. St. Rose received the Blessed Sacrament daily and lived her life in silence and seclusion, enjoying the family garden.

St. Rose suffered from arthritis and asthma. She was also disturbed by spiritual dreams. Her friend Brother Martin de Porres reassured her that her visions were from God. During the last three years of her life, St. Rose began caring for the elderly and sick. she used a room in the house in which she lived.

During the inquisition, St. Rose faced an examination. They found her to be in God’s favor in the midst of suffering.

At the age of 31 St. Rose came down with a high fever. She died from the fever and paralysis. A multitude of people attended her funeral.

St. Rose was canonized by Pope Clement X in 1671.

Without the burden of afflictions it is impossible to reach the height of grace. The gift of grace increases as the struggle increases.

Quote of St. Rose of Lima

August is the Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

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Dominican Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Hyacinth of Poland, Feast Day August 17

Quote August 19, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. Hyacinth of Poland, Feast Day August 17

St. Hyacinth of Poland Public Domain Image — St. Hyacinth of Poland

The feast day of St. Hyacinth of Poland is celebrated on August 17.

St. Hyacinth was born in 1185 to noble parents in Odrowacz, Poland. He was educated by his uncle who was a pious priest who eventually became the Bishop of Cracow. He was a very happy and pious child with an early calling to the religious life. He studied at Bologna earning the degree of Doctor of Canon Law and Divinity.

St. Hyacinth returned to Poland. On a trip to Rome with his uncle he met St. Dominic. He was one of the first to join the Order of Preachers, becoming a Dominican. He returned to Poland to establish the Dominican Order.

St. Hyacinth was a wonderful preacher. He converted many people and was able to build churches and convents. He visited the sick and was a friend to the poor. He became known for the many miracles which occurred. The most famous happened during the Tartars siege of the city of Kiev. Hyacinth had a tender devotion to the Mother of God. After celebrating Mass unaware of the siege occurring, he retrieved the Blessed Sacrament and a statue of Mary and fled with the community to the river Dnieper. Although the river was deep he led them across the river walking on the water. His footprints could be seen on the water for centuries.

The last years of St. Hyacinth’s life were lived in a convent at Cracow. On the feast of St. Dominic, he fell ill with a fever. He celebrated Mass on the Feast of the Assumption in spite of his illness. He was anointed at the Altar and died later that day on August 15, 1257.

St. Hyacinth was canonized by Pope Clement VIII in 1594.

The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.

Quote of Michelangelo

August is the Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

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

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

Quote August 7, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Dominic,

Feast Day August 8

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. Because of his love of learning and teaching, St. Dominic is known as the patron of astronomers.

In 1215. St. Dominic 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. St. Dominic was canonized on July 13, 1234, by Pope Gregory IX, three years following his death. Pope Gregory said that he no more doubted the sanctity of St. Dominic, than he did that of St. Peter and St. Paul.

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

August is the Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

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Dominican Saints, patron saints, Prayer, Spirituality

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

El_Greco,_St_Dominic_in_Prayer Public Domain Image

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.

“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

Perugia Altarpiece depicting St. Dominic Public Domain Image

St. Dominic by Cosme Tura Public Domain Image

St. Dominic by Fra Teodoro of Urbino Public Domain Image

St. Dominic by El Greco Public Domain Image

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

June 9, 2016 Vicki Scheenstra

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

The Mystery of Faith

Tag Archives: Dominican

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Thomas Aquinas, Feast Day January 28

Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. Thomas Aquinas,

Feast Day January 28

January is the Month of the Holy Name.

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Raymond of Penyafort, Feast Day January 7

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. John Alcober, Feast Day December 30

Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. John Alcober, Feast Day December 30

December is the Month of the Divine Infancy

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Albert the Great, Feast Day Nov. 15

Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. Albert the Great, Feast Day Nov. 15

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Ambrose of Sienna, Feast day October 8

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Ambrose of Sienna,

Feast day October 8

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: Bl. Bertrand of Garrigua, Feast Day September 6

Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

Bl. Bertrand of Garrigua,

Feast Day September 6

September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Rose of Lima, Feast Day August 23

Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. Rose of Lima, Feast Day August 23

August is the Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Hyacinth of Poland, Feast Day August 17

Prayers, Quips and Quotes:

St. Hyacinth of Poland, Feast Day August 17

August is the Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

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

Prayers, Quips and Quotes: St. Dominic,

Feast Day August 8

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

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

June is the Month of the Sacred Heart

Discovering the Spirituality of Catholicism