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July 31, 2025The First Way of Prayer
Saint Dominic's first way of prayer was to humble himself before the altar as if Christ, signified by the altar, were truly and personally present and not in symbol alone. He would say with Judith: "O Lord, God, the prayer of the humble and the meek hath always pleased Thee [Judith 9:16]. "It was through humility that the Canaanite woman and the prodigal son obtained what they desired; as for me, "I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come under my roof" [Matthew 8:8] for "I have been humbled before you exceedingly, O Lord [Psalm 118:107]."
In this way our holy father, standing erect, bowed his head and humbly considering Christ, his Head, compared his lowliness with the excellence of Christ. He then gave himself completely in showing his veneration. The brethren were taught to do this whenever they passed before the humiliation of the Crucified One in order that Christ, so greatly humbled for us, might see us humbled before his majesty. And he commanded the friars to humble themselves in this way before the entire Trinity whenever they chanted solemnly: "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit." In this manner of profoundly inclining his head, Saint Dominic began his prayer.
V. Blessed Father Dominic, pray for us.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
O holy priest of God and glorious patriarch, St. Dominic,
you who were the friend, the well-beloved son and confidant of the Queen of Heaven,
and did work very many miracles by the power of the Holy Rosary,
have regard for my petitions.
On earth you opened your heart to the miseries of your fellow man,
and your hands were strong to help them;
now in heaven your charity has not grown less nor has your power waned.
Pray for me to the Mother of the Rosary and to her Divine Son,
for I have great confidence that through your assistance
I shall obtain the favor I very much desire:
(mention intentions here).
Amen.
The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic is a treasured document detailing St. Dominic’s method of prayer. It was written by an anonymous author in the 1200s. These ways of prayer were the actual practice of St. Dominic. These ways of prayer offer a glimpse into the inner life of St. Dominic and his profound love for God.
The final prayer to St. Dominic comes from Dominican Cloistered Nuns of the Monastery of St. Jude in Marbury, Alabama.