Word to the Wise
Wednesday, August 8, 2007 - Holy Father Dominic - founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans)
[proper to the feast: Isaiah 52:7-10; 2 Timothy 4:1-8; Matthew 5:13-19]Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths. But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry.
Beginning last year, 2006, the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) began a decade long celebration of the 800th anniversary of the foundation of our order by Dominic de Guzman, a Spanish priest, who was ministering in southern France in the early 13th century. In 1206, he established a convent of cloistered nuns to provide a refuge for women who had been rejected by their families who had accepted the Albigensian heresy, against which Dominic was preaching. Gradually he attracted some male companions as well in the task and on December 22, 1216, he received the final approval of Pope Honorius III for the Order of Preachers. The words of the reading from 2 Timothy would describe Dominic from what we know of him. Not only was he a very charismatic preacher, he was an amazingly compelling person who related well to all classes of people. There is a legend of his staying up all night to argue with a bartender at an inn who was a member of the Albigensian sect. Perhaps less well known is the fact that he was an administrative and political genius who created the oldest democratic system of government in the church. That system of balance between executive and legislative power is one of the things that captured the attention of a sophomore student at Tulane University in the early 1960's. The combination of that governmental system with four "pillars" (Prayer, Study, Community, Ministry) attracted me to the Order of Preachers, and I entered the Order in August 1964 upon graduating from Tulane. Those words above also describe the purpose and existence of our Order: to proclaim the word. I doubt I gave much thought to preaching except as a person in the pew until the necessity of doing it came upon me when I was in formation! Since then preaching has become not a task to be done but a way to be lived. (cf. The Way of the Preacher, by Simon Tugwell, OP). All Dominicans, whether priest, brother, cloistered nun, apostolic sister, lay person, are called to proclaim the word. Three of our mottos express this: VERITAS (Truth!), LAUDARE, BENEDICERE, PRAEDICARE (To praise, to bless, to preach!) and CONTEMPLARE ALIIS TRADERE (to share the fruits of contemplation with others). It is a wonderful experience to participate in and shape an 800 year old tradition in the Church! On this feast of St. Dominic, it is a special pleasure to be able to "proclaim the word" to you my beloved online congregation. Please pray for the Order of Preachers, our Southern Dominican Province of St. Martin de Porres, and for this preacher that we may be faithful to our mission to proclaim the word. I cordially invite you to become a part of that family and tradition! Proclaim the word! AMEN
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