August 8 Dominic b. 1170 d. 1221 c. 1234

John and Thommy

good morning
i love you


8-7-8 1526 [getting started… I have a call coming in soon then off for a haircut]

8-8-8 1219 [continuing. 8/8/8 is really lucky if you’re Chinese. Like sevens are for us I suppose?]




August 8
St. Dominic b. 1170 d. 1221 c. 1234

The life of St. Dominic was one of tireless effort in the, service of god. While he journeyed from place to place he prayed and preached almost uninterruptedly. His penances were of such a nature as to cause the brethren, who accidentally discovered them, to fear the effect upon his life. While his charity was boundless he never permitted it to interfere with the stern sense of duty that guided every action of his life. If he abominated heresy and labored untiringly for its extirpation it was because he loved truth and loved the souls of those among whom he labored. He never failed to distinguish between sin and the sinner. It is not to be wondered at, therefore, if this athlete of Christ, who had conquered himself before attempting the reformation of others, was more than once chosen to show forth the power of God.

Dominical Sisters of St Cecelia in Nashville. Overbrook School. Starting with Sister Luke and moving through to the eighth/sixth grade. The Catholic school in Nashville. [and these sisters lead several other schools around the country; including our plan B in Nashville, St Henry’s. we would have saved almost a hundred grand if we’d chosen St Henry’s. but, alas, the road not taken….] I’m still writing a contributory check to the mother house every once in a while. As much as you owe them, you too should be making at least an annual contribution. Heck, I’m giving more to them than to either the Jesuits or to Molloy. Maybe I should fix that?....

WWJD? Cute. Trite. But a hint about how to live, how to approach our challenges, how to embrace experiences highs and lows, goods and bads…..
Well, it’s the same in our relationship with our saints. What would Dominic do? Certainly all of the various Dominican orders are based on that fundamental – what would Dominic do; how would he want us to respond…? It’s also the same with anyone you respect, honor, love. These people become the benchmark, the model, the criteria for choosing, deciding, doing….

We have Dominic. We have the good sisters at Overbrook. We have the milieu of Overbrook School. We have the other Dominicans in our lives – e.g., they have St Patrick’s parish in Columbus OH. And if you’re looking for maximally conservative, traditional that’s a parish to go to. Used to be we went to the parish in our neighborhood. Of course, even the smallest parishes had two and three priests so we had variety of pastoral and liturgical opportunities. And our neighborhoods were sufficiently homogenous to attract most everyone and not really put a barrier for eating at our table for anyone. And there was the simple expectation that we all bought into – you go to your parish, not go parish hopping. I changed that mentality when I was in Tuscaloosa. I had my own challenges with the Newman Center and the ancient Franciscan priest who was our chaplain. So, a student hunting around town for the right parish…. Holy Spirit was a good alternative for the Jesuit experienced plebe whom I was.

Not many parish choices for you in Greensboro. No Newman Center. Our lady of Grace has the pastoral responsibility for GC and UNCG – but the curate [qua associate pastor] is a nerd and a half and the pastor, a truly saintly man, a down to earth man, a wise man is also a Latino man and the Latinos in the parish swell the ranks of the church and draw down his time and energy. Try the Spanish mass one Sunday. And then figure out why the majority of the people at the mass do not go to communion!?. I don’t get it either - although it was common in my childhood that not everyone went to communion. And in the other Puerto Rican or other Latino Masses/parishes I’ve attended, it is fairly common for most/many of the people at mass that they don’t go to communion. I’ve not asked anyone – way too intrusive a question for me to ask a person, even close friends….



What’s up with you today? And all the dad questions? And pump primers….?





St. Dominic

Son of Felix Guzman and Bl. Joan of Aza (August 2 feastday beat. 1828). The father was a warden of Calaruega in Burgos – a middling public servant with a fine reputation. Joan of Aza was born in Castile. Not quite down the street from her future husband but somehow God brought them together …. Who woulda thunk, in 1979, that a new your city boy and a divorcee from Montgomery AL would not only meet in Bidgood Hall at the University of Alabama but actually overlap in the same office and subsequently have a wedding and two sons et al. So, if that crossing of the stars can happen, why not a man from Calaruega and a woman from Castile? Unfortunately the modern version of intersecting trajectories did not serve you well – I am sorry for all that. However, Felix and Joan are a couple to learn from, to pray to, to relish the blessing of their son, their fourth and last son, Dominic.

Dominic’s brothers Anthony and Bl Mannes (August 18 feastday) also were priests. Mannes was with Dominic in the founding of the Order of Preachers The Guzman’s boys were on their way to manhood when they got pregnant with another child. Given the span, and the daughter in between, and the reality of the times, how many other pregnancies did they have and lose. Such a common occurrence that they didn’t much bother to keep the records of miscarriages or sometimes infant deaths….

Dominic did come along later in their lives. Joan’s famous dream - - she saw a dog with a torch in its mouth circling the world, setting it ablaze. She was told that it was an omen that the child she was carrying would be great. And you would interpret the dream how? Try a dream interpretation book for the entertainment value. No predictive validity, of course. But no doubt that the dream as interpreted to the faithful and religious parents became part of the raising of the child – be someone who will set the world ablaze!

Did Jane become a Blessed because of our canonization of her son? Why not Felix? God gave them three sons and they gave each of them to the Church. Saintly influences. Jane herself was known for her generosity, with her family’s, i.e., her and Felix’s, i.e., Felix’s assets – giving generously to the poor of time and treasure. Of course this was doable only with his consent, his blessing, his direct or indirect acquiescence or participation. One of the miracles we hear about came about because Jane gave away a cask of wine to the poor. Felix comes home with friends and asks for some wine. Jane goes to the cellar and prays "Lord Jesus Christ, even if I am not worthy to be heard by reason of my merits, hear me for the sake of your servant, my son, whom I have placed at your service." Well, how could God refuse!?.
So what’s with slighting the father/husband?

Dominic was born at Calaruega, Spain. From seven to fourteen, Dominic studied under his uncle, arch priest of a nearby town. In 1184 Dominic went to the Univ. at Palencia and was probably ordained there. One time, Dominic sold all of his books to give money for the starving poor of the city. [A family tradition of sorts. And how is it you give of your treasure?] Dominic applied his not inconsequential talents so arduously that to this day he is held forth as an exemplary scholar of the university. [and you, will you be recalled as having applied all your gifts, talents resources – with ardor?]

Dominic started out as a canon at Osma in 1199. This group adhered to the rule of St. Benedict and among whom he was raised to prior superior. A man who was drawn to the religious life and strict adherence to its rule. A man who became a leader among the religious of his community at an early age. A man grounded in his faith who leveraged the talents God gave him. A man who knew that he was given parents, faith, community and talents with the accompanying duties – knew and fulfilled his promise and his grace. As a canon of Osma, Dominic spent nine years of his life within the confines of the chapter house in prayer and contemplation. Solidifying his foundation for building himself into a house for as well as of God. …. And you?

In 1203, Dominic accompanied the bishop of Osma to Languedoc where Dominic preached against the Albigensians –ok look up the heresy and know the taking his life in his hands risk Dominic took by publicly opposing and castigating them. The bishop also gave him the job of reforming the Cistercians there.

Early in his apostolate around Prouille, Dominic saint realized the necessity of an institution that would protect the women from the influence of the heretics. Many of them had already embraced Albigensianism and were its most active propagandists. The Albigensian women erected convents, to which the children of the Catholic nobility were often sent - for want of something better - to receive an education, and, in effect, if not on purpose, to be tainted with the spirit of heresy. Dominic sought to also protect women converted from heresy against the evil influence of their own homes. With the permission of the Bishop of Toulouse, Dominic established a convent at Prouille in 1206.

1208-1214, Dominic attached himself to the papal army who were sent to suppress the Albigensians. Dominic preached to the heretics - - unsuccessfully. What if Dominic had gotten caught in the crossfire of one of the battles and died in the field with this record? Was he a saint already? Would he have been canonized without his subsequent success and the formation of the OPs? Probably not canonized but likely quite saintly…. And you? You just might create a legacy similar to Dominic but that doesn’t happen per chance later on. It starts now [yesterdays actually but you have only now to start from, to build on, improve on, do better with….]

Just before the battle of Muret, 12 September, 1213, the saint is again found in the council that preceded the battle. [The role and place of the confessor/advisor priest? The place for the influence of the church? Offering prayers for victory: that my army will wipe out your army? Who’s side is God on, anyway?] During the conflict, Dominic prayed for the triumph of the Catholic army. So remarkable was the victory of the crusaders at Muret that Simon de Montfort regarded it as a miracle. The general attributed the victory to the prayers of Saint Dominic. In gratitude to God for this decisive victory, the crusader erected a chapel in the church of Saint-Jacques, which he dedicated, it is said, to Our Lady of the Rosary. It would appear, therefore, that the devotion of the Rosary, which tradition says was revealed to Saint Dominic, had come into general use about this time. [Attaching the revelation or even the popularity of the Rosary to battle/crusades is a bit disconcerting. But the power of prayer, the intercession of God or Mary, the influence of our belief in and service to Right does matter. I don’t remember learning about Dominic’s role in the rosary before my Overbrook experience. It is an essential prayer in my armamentarium of religiosity: right up there with Patrick’s Breastplate prayer. Whatever prayer brings you closer to God, return to it over and over. And expand your prayerfulness with meditation, contemplation, mantras, centering prayer, etc et al.]

In 1214 Dominic and six followers received a castle at Casseneuil. They founded an order devoted to the conversion of the Albigensians. Their mission was the propagation of true doctrine and good morals, and the extirpation of heresy. The order was canonically approved by the bishop of Toulouse the following year. Theological disputations played a prominent part in the propaganda of the heretics. Dominic and his companions, therefore, engaged their opponents in this kind of theological exposition. Whenever the opportunity offered, they accepted theological battle. Like in any war, you have to have your army prepared – ok, this is more a Jesuit metaphor. Dominic saw the inroads the effective heretical proselytizers were making with their way of life [austere v. the Cistercians’ pomp and excess] and their theological savvy – albeit wrongheadedness. So, Dominic took them on mano a mano: a disciplined religiosity and better theology better preached. The same approach you should take in learning, defending, and spreading our faith.

Dominic’s congregation was at best but a diocesan congregation, and Saint Dominic had dreamed of a world-order that would carry its apostolate to the ends of the earth. He failed to gain approval for his order of preachers at the fourth General Council of the Lateran in 1215. Okay, stop the tape. What if the tape is stopped here? Dominic is still not making headway against the Albegensians. The head of the papal army gave him a home base, he’s picked up a few followers, he’s focused on one thing only, not so successfully, and the Pope is not interested in approving his new order. Now what? Go home and live on the benefits of being a canon?

On 22 December, 1216, the Bull of confirmation was issued by Pope Honorius III. It was at this time that he received the office and title of Master of the Sacred Palace, or Pope's Theologian, as it is more commonly called. This office has been held uninterruptedly by members of the order from the founder's time to the present day. [success is how much perspiration? Persistence? Or as Yogi Berra may have said, 90% of winning is showing up… again and again…. One lesson baseball teaches - - a 300 hitter is a great hitter and is one who makes an out 7 of 10 at bats….

Towards the end of 1219, soon after the close of the chapter of Bologna, Honorius III called upon Saint Dominic to lead a preaching crusade in Lombardy, where heresy had developed alarming proportions. It is said that 100,000 unbelievers were converted by the preaching and the miracles of the saint. It was during his preaching in Lombardy that the saint instituted the Militia of Jesus Christ, or the third order, as it is commonly called, consisting of men and women living in the world, to protect the rights and property of the Church.

Dominic spent the last years of this life organizing the order, traveling all over Italy, Spain and France preaching and attracting new members and establishing new houses. The new order was phenomenally successful in conversion work as it applied Dominic's concept of harmonizing the intellectual life with popular needs.

He convoked the first general council of the order at Bologna in 1220 and died there the following year on August 6, after being forced by illness to return from a preaching tour in Hungary. In a Bull dated at Spoleto, 13 July, 1234, Gregory IX made his cult obligatory throughout the Church. He is the patron saint of astronomers.

The life of St. Dominic was one of tireless effort in the, service of god. While he journeyed from place to place he prayed and preached almost uninterruptedly. His penances were of such a nature as to cause the brethren, who accidentally discovered them, to fear the effect upon his life. While his charity was boundless he never permitted it to interfere with the stern sense of duty that guided every action of his life. If he abominated heresy and labored untiringly for its extirpation it was because he loved truth and loved the souls of those among whom he labored. He never failed to distinguish between sin and the sinner. It is not to be wondered at, therefore, if this athlete of Christ, who had conquered himself before attempting the reformation of others, was more than once chosen to show forth the power of God.


Even if he is a Dominican, Dominic is a man to know well, be thankful to, and emulate.

I love you
dad


Catholic online saints and angels
Catholic Encyclopedia on line.
http://dominicancooperatorbrother.blogspot.com/2008/08/memorial-of-blessed-jane-of-aza-mother.html