He was outstanding for his learning and love for poverty. In a vision the Blessed Mother gave him the rosary as the weapon to uproot the Albigensian heresy which he fought tirelessly. (Fr James Socias, et al [Eds], “Daily Roman Missal”, 1989, p1600)
Founder of ‘Order of Preachers’ (Dominicans)
Dominic, born of a rich and illustrious family of Old Castile (Spain), was gifted with great eloquence. Ordained priest at an early age, he was a very popular preacher; but God called him to a greater apostolate. That of converting the obstinate heretics of Languedoc (Southern France), of evangelizing many countries, and of perpetuating his work with a new religious order.
He obeyed the voice of God, and broke all ties -- possessions, honor, and family. In poor garments, he often went barefoot, lived on alms, and strove, by a continual poverty, to live for God only. Then he gathered companions whom he inspired with the same feelings of selflessness, poverty, and zeal.
Dominic became a man of God, powerful in word and work. The order he founded has given the Church many saints and illustrious theologians.
By following the same line of conduct, by detaching ourselves entirely from all earthly things, by perfect self-denial, we shall be able to follow the impulses of grace, and to labor successfully in our Lord’s vineyard.
St Dominic was severe to himself, but he was full of gentleness, goodness, and compassion for others especially the Albigensian heretics. Cruel and fanatical schismatics, they used fire and sword against their opponents. All efforts had been in vain against them, even the arms of the Crusaders.
It was reserved for St Dominic to win the glory of converting them by his gentleness and charity, by the unction of his words, and by his miracles, among which was the raising to life of three dead persons.
Nevertheless, the saint drew his power chiefly from prayer, fasting, humility, confidence in God, and especially his tender devotion to the Queen of Heaven. It was she who taught him that easy and successful way of honoring her Divine Son by recital of the Rosary, which, by his zeal, became a universal practice.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp493-5
The Rosary is a ‘powerful weapon’
Like so many others after him, St Dominic depended on a powerful weapon to conquer in what at first appeared to be a losing battle. (cf St Josemaria Escrivá, “Holy Rosary”, 7)
“Great in the integrity of his doctrine, in the example of his virtue and in his apostolic labors, he dauntlessly declared war on the enemies of the Church, not by force of arms, but through burning faith in the Holy Rosary. He was the first to establish and personally spread this devotion with his sons, to the four corners of the earth.” (Leo XIII, Encyclical, “Supremi apostolatus”, 1 September 1883)
“The saint required his spiritual sons to frequently make use in their preaching this form of prayer from which he drew so much profit. On the one hand, he knew of Mary’s enormous influence with her Son who always dispenses his graces through her hands. On the other, she is so naturally inclined to mercy and kindness, and so used to spontaneously helping those in need, she can’t withhold her help from whoever ask it.
“The Church always finds her to be ‘Mother of divine grace’ and ‘Mother most merciful’, and has long had the custom of greeting her as such, above all through the Holy Rosary. Thus, the Roman Pontiffs have extolled devotion to the Marian Rosary with the highest praise, and have enriched it with indulgences.” (Benedict XV, Encyclical, “Fausto appetente die”, 29 June 1921)
By filial instinct and on explicit recommendation of the Popes, Christians have recourse to the Holy Rosary in both ordinary and extraordinary circumstances: catastrophes, wars, heresies and important family problems. This powerful and perennial devotion is an excellent means of thanksgiving, too.
The advice of the most recent Popes is constant, particularly about the family Rosary. The Second Vatican Council reminded the Christian faithful “to esteem those acts of piety for the Blessed Virgin Mary which the Magisterium has recommended throughout the centuries”. (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 67)
Pope Paul VI explicitly interpreted these words as referring to the Holy Rosary. (cf Paul VI, Encyclical “Christi Matri”, 15 September 1966; Apostolic Exhortation “Marialis cultus”, 2 February 1974)
Each ‘Hail, Mary’ is like a rose we offer our Mother in heaven. In the face of obstacles we encounter, let us not forget this ‘powerful weapon’. Let us draw close to Our Lady through this devotion when we feel our weakness most:
“‘Immaculate Virgin, I know very well that I am only a miserable wretch, and all I do is increase each day the number of my sins.’ You told me the other day that was how you spoke to Our Mother... And I was confident in advising you, to pray the Holy Rosary. Blessed be that monotony of Hail, Mary’s which purifies the monotony of your sins!” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 475)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 7:79-82
The Rosary and the Church’s first military victory
Simon de Montfort was asked to organize a military crusade against the Albigenses, who had started a tremendous work of destruction in Southern France. The Christian Army, instructed by St Dominic, recited the Rosary before the crucial battle of Muret (1213).
De Montfort won and ascribed his victory, under God, to the prayers of the Rosary; and built at Muret, in token of his gratitude, the first chapel of the Rosary.
Ref: Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p47
· “The Rosary is an excellent means of professing our faith ... it provides the Christian with sustenance with which to nourish and strengthen his faith ... May the august mysteries of our faith penetrate souls more deeply by means of the Rosary, with the happy result that ‘we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise’.” -- Pope Leo XIII (In Rev Joseph A Viano, SSP, “Two Months with Mary”, 1984, p45)
Our Lady of La Kuen, near Brussels. This church was built by order of Our Lady, who is said to have marked out its dimensions with a line which is still shown. — Additions to Molanus. “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
Our Lady of Kuehn / La Kuen. Near Brussels, Belgium. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
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