Homily: Feast of St. Dominic

Homily: Feast of St. Dominic (Matthew 16:13-23) “A Different Road to Holiness”

There were two great orders started in the church in the 11th and 12th century. They were the Franciscans and Dominicans. The Franciscans were known as the Order of Friars Minor while the Dominicans were known as the Order of Preachers. Thus, when a Dominican signs their name, there is always an OP at the end.

When Francis and Dominic went to Rome to try to gain approval for their orders they met and encouraged one another. They also struck up a friendship. Dominic gave Francis the cord he wore around his waist while Francis gave Dominic a black belt. Franciscans still wear a cord with their habit while Dominicans wear a black belt.

The Franciscans and Dominicans both represented a new type of religious life. Those who belonged to religious orders before these two men arrived on the scene usually lived in a monastery. One of the main components of the life of a religious was that they would take a vow of stability.

Orders like the Benedictines and Trappists would remain in one place and never leave. Silence and a recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours was an important part of their spirituality as was the silence that was kept. The way to be contemplative was, it was thought, to withdraw from the world.

Francis and Dominic plunged into the world. Francis and Dominic’s followers traveled from place to place. Very often they would be found in cities ministering to the poor or teaching at a university.

Dominic’s followers were known as friars. They were like traveling evangelists. They might be found preaching on street corners as well as in churches. The friars ended up evangelizing the common man. To most people they seemed to live a life like Jesus lived.

Reflection Questions:

1.     What constitutes holiness? Does keeping silence and withdrawing from the world?

2.    Do friars live more like Jesus? Why?

 Dear Parishioners,

            Remember that we will be having a special night of adult education this evening. We will be sharing about the church’s ministry with families who have experienced suicide. Remember we will gather at the Damien Center at 6:30 p.m. Please bring a friend with you.

           There are many misunderstandings about the church’s teaching concerning taking your own life. Hopefully, we can clear some of them up tonight.

           May Our Lady of Peace pray for us,

           Fr. Mark