Dominic of Osma

The founder of the Order of Friars Preachers, also known as the Dominicans.

The early part of Dominic's priesthood was spent in prayer and penance. Throughout his ministry he came into frequent contact with the growing Albigensian and Cathar heretical sects, which were gaining in prominence in southern France. While some in the Church used physical means to stamp out the heretical movements, Dominic chose peaceful means: that is, the establishment of communities dedicated to sacred learning, preaching and praying. His labours to educate those who were ignorant of the full body of the Christian faith had a deep and lasting impact on the peoples of Europe, Asia and the Americas.

A contemporary of Saint Francis of Assisi, Dominic refused a bishopric three times, and is a model of humility and zeal for us all.


Propers for St. Dominic - Preacher and Confessor

The Collect.

O GOD, who hast vouchsafed to enlighten thy Church with the merits and teaching of blessed Dominic thy Confessor: grant, we pray thee; that by his example we may not fail in our spiritual advancement or service to Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.


The Epistle - 2 Timothy 4:1-8.

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous


The Gospel - St Luke 12:35-50.

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.


Reference and Resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Dominic
http://elvis.rowan.edu/~kilroy/JEK/08/08.html
http://www.episcopalnet.org/1928bcp/propers/Missal/August4.html

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