Tag Archives: Dominican

Dominican Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

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




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


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




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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Dominican Saints, Faith, Saint of the Day

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




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

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