Saturday, August 01, 2009

Novena in Honor of St. Dominic: Day Two

Herewith another installment of the novena in honor of St. Dominic from John Keenan's little treasure chest, Devotions to St. Dominic, in preparation for St. Dominic's feast day.

Second Day: Humility


Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle within them the fire of Thy love.

V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and our hearts shall be created.
R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

Let us pray.

O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the same Holy Spirit, we may be ever truly wise, and ever rejoice in His holy consolation. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O light of Holy Church,
Teacher of Truth Divine,
Sweet rose of patience,
Ivory white thy chastity doth shine.
Of Wisdom's living waters
All freely thou hast given;
O messenger of grace to men,
Lift thou our souls to heaven.

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross." (Phil. II, 5-8.)
R. Thanks be to God.

Spiritual Reading

"DOCTOR VERITATIS," DOCTOR OF TRUTH

Humility is the foundation of perfection, and in St. Dominic it was deep and strong. So clear was his knowledge of the deep majesty of God and his own nothingness that he lived always in lowly fear and self-distrust. Though most innocent, he considered himself to be a base sinner, unworthy of the least grace. Constantly he prostrated himself before God, praying for long with his face on the ground, shedding abundant tears. Often he would strike his breast, exclaiming, "Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner." Before entering a town to preach, he used to kneel down on the road, begging God not to punish the people for his sins but to make his labor fruitful. When passing an altar or crucifix he would bow profoundly, in token of his nothingness. He often said with tears, "I am not worthy to behold heaven on account of my sins." Praise and honor he heartily detested, and thrice refused a bishopric. Once he raised the son of a Roman widow to life, and the Pope ordered the wonder to be published. "Holy Father," said Dominic, "I must fly; I can remain here no longer." At the General Chapter he said to his brethren, "I deserve to be deposed from my office, for I am negligent and relaxed." When asked where he would be buried, "Under the feet of my brethren," said the humble saint.

The saints, though great in virtue, look upon themselves as worthless, because they see themselves in the light of God, and knowing Him they know themselves. "Our righteousness," St. Dominic would say, "when compared to the righteousness of God, is mere uncleanness."

"Learn of me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you shall find rest to your souls." (St. Matthew XI, 29.)

Responsory

Chosen by Christ's free grace, he comes;
For sinner's needs to us he's given.
Called to the work whilst yet unborn,
His advent's marked by signs from heaven.
V. The star upon his infant brow,
Shining with radiance pure and mild,
Reveals the splendor hid within
The spirit of the newborn child.
R. Called to the work whilst yet unborn,
His advent's marked by signs from heaven.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost:
R. Called to the work whilst yet unborn,
His advent's marked by signs from heaven.

V. Pray for us, O blessed father Dominic.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O holy father, St. Dominic, true lover of humility, who, the greater thou didst appear in the sight of men, didst humble thyself the more before God: be to us a loving guide, that, following in thy footsteps we may be enabled to withstand all the snares of the enemy, and spending our lives in earnest prayer, self-denial and humility, we may, at the hour of death, be received with thee into heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
V. May the divine assistance remain with us always.
R. Amen.
V. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.

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