Another pearl from Devotions to St. Dominic:Sister Cecelia, one of the nuns received by St. Dominic into the Convent of St. Cisto in Rome, left us this description of him:
He was of middle height, his countenance beautiful with little coloring, his hair and beard very fair, and his eyes strikingly fine. A certain radiance shone from his forehead and from under his eyelashes attracting love and respect. His hands were long and beautiful, and his voice strong and sonorous...He was always radiant and joyful, except when moved to compassion by some misfortune of his neighbors.In 1943, Pope Pius XII, a Dominican Tertiary, expressed the desire that a scientific research be undertaken on the relics of St. Dominic. This investigation proved that Sister Cecelia's description was accurate and a famous sculptor executed a statue accordingly. This is now held to be the "true" figure of St. Dominic.
This is the sculpture of St. Dominic executed by Carlo Pini in 1946, based on the scientific study.
As a Dominican, you must be acquinted with Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati - a Dominican tertiary - correct? His feast day is July 4th.
ReplyDeleteYep. When Pier Giorgio entered the Third Order Preachers in 1922, he took the name Girolamo in honor of Girolamo Savonarola. Beatified May 20, 1990.
ReplyDeleteSt. Dominic is truly more handsome than he's often depicted. Although I have a holy card which is very nice. I wish a similar study could be done with St. Benedict. I've often wondered why he is almost always depicted as a funny looking old man.
ReplyDeleteCompare this bust to the El Greco painting of St. Dominic. Very similar.
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