dominican saints

Bl. Gregory & Blessed Dominic, CC.O.P.

Feast Day: April 26th

Born: 11th Century

Died: Martyred about 1300

Beatified: Pius IX approved their cult in 1854

Very little is known about these two Dominican preachers. Their legend tells us that they evangelized the mountainous Somontano region of Moorish Spain near Barbastro, Aragon. One day they were caught in a storm as they traveled from one village to another. The storm loosed the rocks of the cave in which they had sought shelter and they were buried in a landslide. The bells of Perarúa rang out of their own accord, indicating that something remarkable was afoot, and villagers, who ventured out after the storm, found the cave surrounded by lights and angelic music. Digging into the rubble, they found the two Dominicans crushed to death. Miracles surrounded their burials and their tombs at Besians in the diocese of Barbastro, where pilgrims came to pray, especially against the danger from storms. Formerly on Rogation days, and in times of drought, their relics were carried in procession (Benedictines, Dorcy).

Prayers/Commemorations

First Vespers:

Ant. Come, O daughters of Jerusalem, and behold a Martyr with a crown wherewith the Lord crowned him on the day of solemnity and rejoicing, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
V. Pray for us, Blessed Dominic and Gregory alleluia
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ, alleluia.

Lauds:
Ant. Perpetual light will shine upon Thy Saints, O lord, alleluia, and an eternity of ages, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
V. A crown of gold is on his head, alleluia.
R. Signed with the sign of sanctity, alleluia

Second Vespers:

Ant. In the city of the Lord the music of the Saints incessantly resounds: there the angels and archangels sing a canticle before the throne of God, alleluia.
V. Pray for us, Blessed Dominic and Gregory, alleluia
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. alleluia

Let us Pray: O God, whose mercies are without number, we humbly beseech Thee, that through the intercession of Blesseds Dominic and Gregory, Thy Confessors, we may be relieved of the burden of our sins and attain the glory with they now enjoy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer to Saint Vincent Ferrer

(St. Vincent Ferrer has been invoked very successfully in times of physical trouble.)

O Glorious apostle and miracle worker, St. Vincent Ferrer, the new angel of the Apocalypse and our protector, accept our humble prayer and bring down upon us the abundance of divine favors. By that charity which animated thy heart, obtain for us from the Father of all mercy the pardon of our sins, steadfastness in the faith, perseverance in good works; so that living a fervent Christian life, we may deserve thy powerful patronage. Extend that patronage even to our bodies, and free them from infirmity. Preserve our fields from the damages of storm and hail, and keep off all misfortune. Thus favored by Thee with blessings in soul and body, we shall ever be thy devout clients, and one day with thee praise God in heaven, world without end. Amen.
An Indulgence of 200 days, once a day.- Pope Leo XIII., Sept. 17, 1887.

Litany in Honor of St. Vincent Ferrer

Lord, have mercy on us, Christ have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us, Christ, here us. Christ, graciously hear us.
God the father of a heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity of God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us.
St. Dominic, glorious Patriarch, pray for us.
St. Vincent Ferrer, pray for us.
St. Vincent, glory of Valencia, etc.
St. Vincent, lily of purity,
St. Vincent, miracle of piety from childhood,
St. Vincent, interpreter of the Holy Trinity,
St. Vincent, pearl of virginity,
St. Vincent, burning light of charity,
St. Vincent, mirror of penance,
St. Vincent, trumpet of eternal salvation,
St. Vincent, flower of heavenly wisdom,
St. Vincent, preacher of the Holy Gospel,
St. Vincent, powerful in word and work,
St. Vincent, apostle of the universe,
St. Vincent, prophet of Christ who is to come,
St. Vincent, most devout to the Mother of God,
St. Vincent, ever most pious,
St. Vincent, most fervent reconciler of souls,
St. Vincent, most bountiful to the poor,
St. Vincent, most learned teacher,
St. Vincent, most holy preacher,
St. Vincent, most firm under every temptation,
St. Vincent, most illustrious by miracles,
St. Vincent, cherished by Jesus Christ,
St. Vincent, most addicted to prayer,
St. Vincent, burning for the salvation of souls,
St. Vincent, true model of humility,
St. Vincent, confessor filled with knowledge,
St. Vincent, most powerful reviver of the dead,
St. Vincent, lover of the faith,
St. Vincent, health of the sick,
St. Vincent, support of the Holy faith,
St. Vincent, master of penitents,
St. Vincent, refuge of the afflicted,
St. Vincent, star of those who hope in God,
St. Vincent, brightness of the elect,
St. Vincent, conquer of devils,
St. Vincent, companion of angels,
St. Vincent, treasure of virtue,
St. Vincent, sight of the blind,
St. Vincent, hearing of the deaf,
St. Vincent, speech of the dumb,
St. Vincent, consolation of the desolate,
St. Vincent, who wears in heaven the double crown of virginity and doctorate,
St. Vincent, immortal glory of the Order of Preachers,
St. Vincent, powerful protector of those who invoke thy aid,
St. Vincent, protector of those who invoke thee,

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, St. Vincent.
R. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray

O God, who hast adorned Blessed Vincent, Thy confessor, with innumerable virtues and merits, and hast accorded to his prayers the health of the sick and infirm , grant, we beseech Thee, that, after his example despising the earth and sighing for heaven, we may rise from our iniquities and, by his holy intercession, may merit to be cured of the evils of soul and body. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Readings:
taken from "On the Spiritual Life"

“If you truly want to help the soul of your neighbor, you should approach God first with all your heart. Ask him simply to fill you with charity, the greatest of all virtues; with it you can accomplish what you desire.”

“Whatever you do, think not of yourselves but of God.”

“Do you desire to study to your advantage? Let devotion accompany all your studies and study less to make yourself learned than to become a saint.”

“What is meritorious is not that a man should be poor, but that, being poor, he should love poverty.”

“A vain question deserves nothing but silence. So learn to be silent for a time; you will edify your brethren and silence will teach you to speak when the hour is come.”

“Regard yourself as more vile and miserable in the sight of God because of your faults than any sinner whatever, no matter what his sins… and consider closely that any grace or inclination to good or desire of virtue you may have, is not of yourself but of the sole mercy of Christ.”