Saint Dominic
Priest, Memorial
Other Celebrations for this Day:
Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II
Introduction
A Spanish canon, Dominic de Guzman, discovered his vocation as a missionary to the common people. Pope Innocent III sent him to counteract the Albigensian heresy in Southern France, caused by the people’s ignorance, the clergy’s complicity in politics and money, and the inquisition. He founded an order of friars, unlike the seculars, not compromised by the powers of his day, to share the poor life of the masses and to win them back to Christ through prayer and catechesis.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
we thank you today
for the example of St. Dominic,
who studied and prayed
that he might read the signs of the times
and understand your plans
so as to serve the poor better.
Help us to understand your plan of salvation
and to draw the strength for carrying it out
from encountering you in prayer.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
First Reading
Superior Wisdom
When I came to reveal to you the mystery of God’s plan, I did not rely on eloquence or a display of learning.
I was determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
I, myself, came weak, fearful, and trembling;
my words and preaching were not impressive or clever enough to win listeners. It was more a demonstration of spirit and power,
so that your faith might depend not on human wisdom, but on God’s power.
In fact, we do speak of wisdom to those who are mature in faith, although it is not the wisdom of this world or its rulers, who are destined to perish.
We teach the mystery and secret plan of divine wisdom, which God has designed from the beginning to bring us to glory.
No ruler of this world ever understood this; otherwise, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
But as scripture says: Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the mind of man what God has prepared for those who love him.
Revealed by the Spirit
God has revealed it to us through his Spirit because the Spirit probes everything, even the depths of God.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (3) Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.
R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.
R. Proclaim his marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Say among the nations: The LORD is king.
He has made the world firm, not to be moved;
he governs the peoples with equity.
R. Proclaim God's marvelous deeds to all the nations.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
As Jesus and his disciples continued their journey, a man said to Jesus:
“I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus responded:
“Foxes have dens and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”
To another, Jesus said:
“Follow me!”
But he replied:
“Let me go back now, because I want to bury my father first.”
And Jesus said to him:
“Let the dead bury their own dead; as for you, leave them behind and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
Another said to him:
“I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say goodbye to my family.”
And Jesus said to him:
“Whoever has put his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God.”
Prayers of the Faithful
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
we bring before you bread and wine,
the fruit of human toil,
and you change them through your Spirit
into the body and blood of Christ.
Make our human efforts always fruitful
by the strength of your grace,
that you may do great things in us
for the salvation of the world
and for the glory of your name.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
the good news of your Son
can change the whole world.
We pray you today
for that deep faith in the gospel
which Saint Dominic had.
With this faith and with your grace
we can make the gospel believable
to the people of our time.
Let us be humble messengers
of Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord.