HOMILY FOR THE FEAST OF SAINT DOMINIC, PRIEST AND FOUNDER OF THE DOMINICAN FATHERS AND SISTERS.
THEME: One day, through the Rosary and the Scapular, Our Lady will save the world.(Saint Dominic)
BY: Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA.
*READINGS OF THE DAY*
Numbers 12:1-13
Psalm 50:3-7,12-13
Matthew 14:22-36
*LITURGICAL COLOUR*
WHITE
*INTRODUCTION*
Today, the Church celebrates together the feast of a great and renowned saint, whose life should be a great source of inspiration and strength for us as Christians, in how we ourselves should behave and live our lives as faithful and devoted followers and disciples of God. St. Dominic, also known as St. Dominic de Guzman was the great founder of the Order of Preachers or Ordo Praedicatorum, better known as the Dominicans after their founder.
*WHO WAS SAINT DOMINIC?*
St. Dominic was born in what is today part of Spain where according to tradition, his mother gave birth to him after having dreamt of a dog that leapt out of her womb with a flaming torch on its mouth which set the whole earth on fire. Later on this would be part of the Dominican traditions and hagiography which linked the great courage and passion with which St. Dominic dedicated his life in preaching the Good News of God, and the charism of the Order, which is truly related to that vision which St. Dominic’s mother saw.
*HIS PRIESTLY AND RELIGIOUS VOCATION*
St. Dominic devoted his life to the Lord and soon became a priest from a young age of twenty-four, spending a lot of time travelling around and proclaiming the Good News of God to more and more people, especially to those who have fallen astray in their path and forgotten their faith in God. St. Dominic was also working with the other contemporaries of his time, who were working against the dangerous heresy of Catharism, which had befuddled many of the faithful and dragged them into the wrong path. St. Dominic and many others, and those who were inspired by his examples, ministered for many years among the areas affected by the Cathar heresy, and managed to bring many back to the Holy Mother Church and salvation in God.
RELATED: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF 18TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
*HIS SPECIAL DEVOTION TO MARY MOTHER OF GOD*
According to the tradition and many writings, St. Dominic received a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, who gave him the rosary and therefore began the popularisation of the rosary devotion amongst Christians. St. Dominic dedicated himself to the very end of his life for the sake of the salvation of souls.
*CONCLUSION*
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us be inspired by the dedication which St. Dominic has shown us. Let us be renewed in our commitment to God and in our desire and willingness to walk down His path. Each and every one of us are part of God’s Church, and we all share in the same calling and commitment to live our lives worthily and to become the missionaries and witnesses of our faith in the Lord. All of us should keep in mind all that we have reflected upon today, and do whatever we can so that we may be truly God’s worthy followers, and as the great role models and inspirations for one another in faith. Let us all turn our back against the evils and temptations of this world, and all the wickedness of pride and ego which had brought about the downfall of so many of our predecessors, and return to the Lord with all our heart.
*BLESSINGS OF THE DAY*
May God be with us always and may He empower each and every one of us in our every good efforts and deeds, now and forever and ever. Amen
St Dominic, Pray for us sinners.
Fr Deotacious Chikontwe SMA.
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