Saturday, August 07, 2010

Novena in Honor of St. Dominic, Eighth Day: The Death of St. Dominic

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.

"Well done, good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things. Enter thou into the joy of the Lord." (St. Matt. XXV, 21.)
R. Thanks be to God.

Spiritual Reading

St. Dominic died at Bologna, in 1221, on Friday, August 6, at mid-day. Father Ventura, Prior of Bologna, was present and thus describes the blessed end of that holy life. "Father Dominic returned from Venice about the end of July. Although very weary with traveling, he conversed on the affairs of the Order with me till late. I begged him to rest that night but he prayed in the church till Matins at midnight, and then was present in choir. Afterwards he complained of his head, and his last illness began. Lying on a straw mattress, he called the novices around him and exhorted them to fervor with cheerful words and smiling countenance. After being carried to a hill not far off, for better air, he preached a touching sermon to the brethren and was then anointed. Fearing lest he might not be buried 'under the feet of his brethren,' he was carried back to the convent. After an hour he said, 'Begin.' Then did we begin the prayers for a departing soul, and Dominic joined, his lips moving, until the words 'Help him, ye saints of God,' when he gave up the spirit." During the same year in winter a marvelous perfume was perceived throughout the church in which he was buried, particularly near his grave. Many miracles were wrought where the sacred body rested.

"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive what God hath prepared for them that love Him." (I Cor. II, 9.)

Responsory

From this vale of grief, ascending,
See our father rise on high,
Whilst the angels' voices, blending,
Greet him with sweet minstrelsy.
Jesu, by his prayers of might,
Make us pleasing in Thy sight!
V. By the Holy Name of Jesus.
Thou didst raise the dead to life;
Now, through Him, our loving Savior,
Loose our souls from sin and strife.
R. Jesu, by his prayers of might, Make us pleasing in Thy sight!
V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
R. Jesu, by his prayers of might, Make us pleasing in Thy sight!
V. Pray for us, O holy father, St. Dominic.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O most kind father, St. Dominic, by thy saintly life and precious death, bless and guide us in the path of thy holy rule, that persevering therein even until death, we may, through it, attain the eternal joys of 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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