Word to the Wise
Wednesday, November 7, 2007 - All Saints of the Dominican Order
[Romans 13:8-10 and Luke 14:25-33]Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Yes, we Dominicans have our own "All Saints Day" in which we honor not only those of the Dominican Family who have been "raised to the altar" such as St. Dominic, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Martin De Porres, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Rose of Lima and many others (John Paul II added considerably to the number), but also the many other holy men and women who have followed in the footsteps of St. Dominic. Goodness knows it's a motley crew! A person choosing to become a member of the Dominican family, which includes friars (like myself), cloistered nuns, apostolic women (like the Kentucky Dominicans), laity (like St. Catherine of Siena), has a very large selection to choose from when it comes to inspiration! I have known and do know some very saintly Dominican men and women. They are examples to me of St. Paul's exhortation to love, quoted above. Like any other human they have their idiosyncrasies and I might have difficultly imitating their personal example, but that really isn't their value to me. It is (or was, in the case of those who have died) their faithfulness to their commitment as members of the Dominican Family that inspires me. Inevitably there are times in every Dominican's life when the commitment, especially obedience, can be very challenging and the thought may occur that something else might be better. Recalling the fidelity of such friars as Yves (Cardinal) Congar or Marie-Joseph Lagrange when the order and the church silenced them, helps me to remember that many others have had far worse challenges than I have faced and have remained faithful. It has been my privilege to belong to the Order of Preachers (the Dominican Family) for more than 40 years. I am so grateful for those brothers and sisters whose timely witness and wisdom have sustained me in the effort to be faithful. I can only pray that my own example may help somehow as well. AMEN
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