“O Spem Miram”
Posted by Fr. Aquinas on 08 Aug 2009 at 08:18 am | Tagged as: Dominican Saints, Liturgical Feasts
Light of the Church, teacher of truth,
rose of patience, ivory of chastity,
you freely poured forth the waters of wisdom;
preacher of grace, unite us to the blessed.
From the Dominican Ordo:
Dominic de Guzman was born at Caleruega, Spain, around 1172-73. After completing his studies at Palencia, he was ordained a priest and became a Canon Regular in the Cathedral Chapter of Osma. While on a diplomatic mission with his bishop, Diego d’Azevedo, he experienced first hand the Albigensian heresy which was at that time widespread in southern France. From that time on he determined to dedicate his life to the ministry of preaching and to live a life of simplicity. Eventually he was supported in his work by a monastery of nuns at Prouille which he had directed from its foundation in 1206.
Convinced of the need for a group of trained preachers who would spread the truth of the Gospel by their preaching and teaching and would live in apostolic poverty, in 1215 at Toulouse Dominic organized his fellow preachers into a new religious Order which was formally approved by Pope Honorius III on December 22, 1216. His own love of prayer and study, his zeal for the salvation of souls, and his belief in apostolic poverty became the foundation stones of his Order. On August 15, 1217, he dispersed this small band throughout Europe and from such beginnings the Order grew.
It was said of Saint Dominic that “he either spoke with God or about God.” He died at Bologna on August 6, 1221.
On this Feast of Our Holy Father Dominic, we sing praise to God for our redemption in Christ and for the wondrous pathway to Christ’s kingship and priesthood he has revealed to us through his Preacher of Grace.
With devotion to our illustrious founder we sing today the responsory sung by generations of his sons and daughters–the O spem miram. This ancient chant recalls the paternal charity St. Dominic promised to show his followers after his death.
O spem miram, quam dedisti mortis hora te flentibus, dum post mortem promisisti te profuturum fratribus! Imple, Pater, quod dixisti nos tuis juvans precibus.
V. Qui tot signis claruisti in aegrorum corporibus, nobis opem ferens Christi, aegris medere moribus. Imple, Pater, quod dixisti, nos tuis juvans precibus.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Imple, Pater, quod dixisti, nos tuis juvans precibus.
(O wonderful hope, which you gave to those who wept for you at the hour of your death, promising that after your death you would be helpful to your brethren! Fulfill, Father, what you have said, and help us by your prayers.
V. You shone on the bodies of the sick by so many miracles: bring us the help of Christ to heal our sick souls. Fulfill, Father, what you have said, and help us by your prayers.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Fulfill, Father, what you have said, and help us by your prayers.)
For more on the life and holiness of Saint Dominic, click here and here. For a St. Dominic’s Day reflection written by Fr. Brian Mulcahy, OP, click here.
In your prayers today please remember especially our Province’s eleven postulants. They begin their novitiate today by receiving the habit of St. Dominic and their new names in religion. Through the intercession of our Holy Father Dominic, may God prosper their religious vocations!
God of truth,
you graciously enlightened your Church
by the merits and teaching of Saint Dominic,
your confessor and our father.
By his prayers grant that the Church
may never lack for temporal help,
and may grow ever richer in spiritual blessings.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.