• December 20th - Saint Dominic of Silos

    From rich@1:396/4 to All on Wed Dec 19 08:35:48 2018
    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

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