Recent Posts

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Novena to Saint Dominic - Day 1


O renowned champion of the faith of Christ,
most holy saint Dominic,
who renounced the honor and dignity
of an earthly principality to embrace the poor, laborious and mortified life which should distinguish a disciple of Him Who has said:
"If any man will come after Me,
let him take up his cross and follow Me."
O burning torch, who being thyself consumed with the fire of divine love, and did incessantly work to enkindle that sacred flame in the hearts of others, look down upon me from that throne of glory where you enjoy the reward of all your labors, and obtain that some sparks of that blessed fire may be lighted in my soul, to animate and encourage me under any crosses or trials with which it shall please the divine goodness to visit me.
O great Saint, Who regarded as nothing, all the afflictions you endured, and all the toils you underwent, for the promotion of God's holy cause; obtain, I beseech Thee, that the same ardent love which strengthened you, may make sweet to me labor, humiliations, disgraces, or whatever other mortifications, I may have to suffer for the Name of Jesus.
May I ever bear in mind that nothing can happen to me but by the particular dispensation of a God Who is infinitely wise, and therefore knows what is best for my welfare; infinitely powerful, and consequently able to effect it; and above all, infinitely merciful and loving, Who has laid down His life for my redemption, and continues daily to give new proofs of His love and bounty.
O tender Father of the poor who, when all other resources were exhausted, offered yourself for their relief, obtain for me that true spirit of compassion for the suffering members of Jesus Christ, which shone forth so conspicuously in thy holy life.
May I, by charity to those whom Jesus so dearly loves, lay up for myself treasures in heaven, where you now enjoy that which the eye has not seen, nor the ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, but which God has prepared for those who love Him, and who prove themselves His Disciples, by the observance of His Divine precept - love one another.
I praise and thank God for the high degree of sanctity to which He had raised you, and the special privileges by which He has distinguished you.
I conjure thee, by that gratitude with which you shalt for all eternity be penetrated for your Divine Benefactor, implore for me the grace to root out of my heart whatever is not agreeable in His sight,
especially that evil habit by which I most frequently offend Him.
Obtain likewise the favours I request in this Novena, through your powerful intercession.
(Here specify your intentions)
O glorious Mother of God,
Queen of the most sacred Rosary,
you who loved Dominic with the affection
of a mother,
and were most tenderly loved and honored by him, look upon me, for his sake,
with an eye of pity,
deign to join with him in presenting these petitions to your most Blessed Jesus.
I sincerely desire from this moment to love Him with all my heart,
and serve Him with all my strength, and now place myself under your powerful protection,
as a sure means of obtaining all
the graces necessary
to serve Him faithfully here,
that I may eternally rejoice with Him hereafter.