Feast of St. Dominic

August 8, 2003

And the preaching continues…

Today, the Dominican Family throughout the world remembers and celebrates the life, the spirit of our Holy Father, Dominic. Dominic, tireless preacher of the gospel, was energized to bring the compassion and truth of God’s love to all people.

Dominic envisioned an order which, in name and nature, would be an Order of Preachers. From its very beginning members of the Order, at profession, have received the mandate to be about the ‘holy preaching.’ Preaching is not something we do, it is our very identity.

Dominic’s passion for the mission-to preach the gospel, addressing needs of the time, confronting injustices, allowed no obstacle to be an impediment. The urgency of the mission impelled him. Dominic was a genius in his ability to remain within the structures of the Church while never compromising his preaching in the service of truth. The Order flourished because of his zeal for the ‘holy preaching’ that attracted people and set hearts afire.

And the preaching continues…

On this joyful day we ask the joyful friar, Dominic, to re-kindle within us a passion for the ‘holy preaching’ for our time because, by profession, we can say: “My Name is Preacher.”