From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
December 20th - Saint Dominic of Silos
(1000-1073)
Saint Dominic of Silos was the saint whom the other Saint Dominic=E2=80=94founder of the Dominican Order, the Order of Preachers=E2= =80=94was
named after. According to Dominican tradition, Saint Dominic of Silos
appeared to Blessed Joan of Aza, the mother of Saint Dominic, who then
made a pilgrimage to his shrine while pregnant, selecting him as the
namesake of her soon-to-be-born son.=C2 Due to his sanctity and model
life, Saint Dominic is frequently depicted enthroned, surrounded by
the seven virtues of the Church.
Dominic of Silos was born in Navarre, Spain, a shepherding town in the Pyrenees. As a young boy and man, he served his father's flocks as =
a
shepherd, relishing the solitude of the shepherding life, and spending
his days in quiet contemplation and prayer. He undertook his own
studies, as few teachers were present, with the exception of the Holy
Spirit. Eventually, drawn to the Lord, he entered the monastery of San
Millan de la Cogolla as a monk. Recognized for his piety and sanctity,
Dominic soon thereafter became the prior of the monastery. While
serving as prior, Saint Dominic was drawn into a disagreement with the
king of Navarre, who insisted that the monastery's possessions were
rightfully his. Dominic disagreed, and for his trouble was exiled. He,
with his monks, traveled to Castille, and were appointed at the
monastery of Saint Sebastian at Silos. It was due to his long-term
service at Silos that Saint Dominic received his referential name.
Upon arrival, it became clear that the monastery at Silos was
neglected and in disrepair=E2=80=94both physically and spiritually. The buildings were falling down around the brothers who labored there.
During the first Mass offered following Dominic's arrival, when the
celebrant turned towards the people at the Offertory to chant: Dominus vobiscum, he said instead: "Behold, the restorer cometh!" and the
choir responded: "It is the Lord who has sent him!" The prophetic
words were soon fulfilled as Saint Dominic immediately undertook to
restore the monastery to its former state, in the process reforming
the lives and practices of the monks who resided there. Dominic
preserved the Mozarbic Rite (one of the early variants of the Latin
Rite) at the monastery at Silos. He further preserved the Visigothic
script of ancient Spain, with the monastery becoming a center of
learning and liturgy. Saint Dominic was further recognized for his
charity, and became renowned in the region for miraculous cures of the
sick, blind, and lame.
Dominic served as prior of the monastery at Silos for many years,
filling his days with good works, miraculous cures, prayer, and ransom
of captives. After many years, this holy man was advised of his
imminent death by the Blessed Virgin. He recounted to his brothers the
next day: =E2=80=9CI spent the night near the Queen of Angels. She has invi= ted
me to come in three days where She is; therefore I am soon going to
the celestial banquet to which She invites me.=E2=80=9D Soon thereafter, he fell ill for three days, and subsequently peacefully perished. Those
present reported observing his visible soul rise to heaven.
Saint Dominic of Silos didn't take no for an answer. As a child, wh=
en
there was no one to teach him, he taught himself through the grace of
God and the gifts of the spirit. When he was forcibly driven from the
monastery he had made his home, he simply found another one=E2=80=94and in assuming leadership, transformed the crumbling spiritual structure
into a center of praise, learning, and glory for the Lord. All too
often, we give up in our lives when things get difficult, or don't =
go
exactly as we planned. Saint Dominic of Silos never gave up. Every
effort, every part of his being, lived to serve and glorify the Lord.
While he performed many miracles of healing, this focused attitude of
love and service, and transformation of not only monasteries, but
souls, may be the far more important miracle of his life!
=C2 by Jacob
Saint Quote:
All of us can attain to Christian virtue and holiness, no matter in
what condition of life we live and no matter what our life work may
be.
--St. Francis de Sales
Bible Quote:
Let not thy hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when thou shouldst g= ive.
=C2 [Sirach 4:36 ]=C2 DRB
<><><><>
From Journey of the Mind to God:
Christ is both the way and the door. Christ is the staircase and the
vehicle, like the "throne of mercy over the Ark of the Covenant," and
"the mystery hidden from the ages." A man should turn his full
attention to this throne of mercy, and should gaze at him hanging on
the cross, full of faith, hope, and charity, devoted, full of wonder
and joy, marked by gratitude, and open to praise and jubilation. Then
such a man will make with Christ a "pasch," that is, a passing-over.
Through the branches of the cross he will pass over the Red Sea,
leaving Egypt and entering the desert. There he will taste the hidden
manna, and rest with Christ in the sepulcher, as if he were dead to
things outside. He will experience, as much as is possible for one who
is still living, what was promised to the thief who hung beside
Christ: "Today you will be with me in paradise."
--by Saint Bonaventure
--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
* Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)