— Ephesians 4:29 —

=E2=80=94 Ephesians 4:29 =E2=80=94
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,
that it may benefit those who listen.
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
A careless word may kindle strife,
A cruel word may wreck a life.
A bitter word may hate instill,
A brutal word may smite and kill.
A gracious word may smooth the way,
A joyous word may light the day.
A timely word may lessen stress,
A loving word may heal and bless.

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20 December =E2=80=93 St Dominic de Silos O.S.B.

 (c1000-1073)
- Patron of pregnant women, against rabies, against rabid dogs,
against insects, captives, prisoners; shepherds.

St. Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers, was named after this
Benedictine abbot, who lived a century before him. According to
Dominican tradition, St. Dominic of Silos appeared to Blessed Joan of
Aza (the mother of the later St. Dominic), who made a pilgrimage to
his shrine before the birth of her son and named him after the abbot
of Silos.

Dominic of Silos was born in Navarre, Spain, on the Spanish side of
the Pyrenees and was a shepherd boy, looking after his father=E2=80=99s
flocks. He acquired a love of solitude and as a young man became a
monk at the monastery of San Millan de la Cogolla. He eventually
became prior of the monastery and came into conflict with the king of
Navarre over possessions of the monastery claimed by the king. The
king drove Dominic out of the monastery and Dominic went with other
monks to Castille, where the king of Castille appointed Dominic abbot
of the monastery of St. Sebastian at Silos.

The monastery was in terrible shape, spiritually and materially and
Dominic set about to restore the monastery and to reform the lives of
the monks. He preserved the Mozarbic Rite (one of the variants of the
Latin Rite) at his monastery and his monastery became one of the
centers of the Mozarbic liturgy. His monastery also preserved the
Visigothic script of ancient Spain and was a center of learning and
liturgy in that part of Spain.

Dominic of Silos died on December 20,1073, about a century before the
birth of his namesake, St. Dominic of Calaruega. Before the Spanish
Revolution of 1931, it was customary for the abbot of Silos to bring
the staff of Dominic of Silos to the Spanish royal palace whenever the
queen was in labour and to leave it at her bedside until the birth of
her child had taken place.

In recent times, great interest in Dominic of Silos has arisen since
the literary treasures of the library of Silos have become known. The
abbey had a profound influence on spirituality and learning in Spain.
Today the monastery is an abbey of the Benedictine Congregation of
Solesmes housing a library of ancient and rare manuscripts.

The images show the Monastery and Abbey of Solesmes as well as a
Religuary Casket of St Dominic and an image of him taken from the
altar piece.

https://anastpaul.com/2016/12/20/


Saint Quote:
The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them
in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they
might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet
of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in
their heart the invitation of Christ.
--Saint Anthony of Padua

Bible Quote:
Therefore thou art magnified, O Lord God, because there is none like
to thee, neither is there any God besides thee, in all the things that
we have heard with our ears. (2 Samuel 7:22)  DRB

Bible Quote:
And in doing good, let us not fail. For in due time we shall reap, not
failing. Therefore, whilst we have time, let us work good to all men,
but especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
(Galatians 6:9-10) DRB


Our Morning Offering

See, O merciful God, what return
I, Your thankless servant, have made
for the innumerable favours
and the wonderful love You have shown me!
What wrongs I have done, what good left undone!
Wash away, I beg You, these faults and stains
with Your precious blood, most kind Redeemer
and make up for my poverty by applying Your merits.
Give me the protection I need to amend my life.
I give and surrender myself wholly to You,
and offer You all I possess,
with the prayer that You bestow Your grace on me,
so that I may be able to devote and employ
all the thinking power of my mind
and the strength of my body in Your holy service,
who are God blessed for ever and ever. Amen
by St Peter Canisius SJ