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August 1, 2025The Second Way of Prayer
Saint Dominic used to pray by throwing himself outstretched upon the ground, lying on his face. He would feel great remorse in his heart and call to mind those words of the Gospel, saying sometimes in a voice loud enough to be heard: "O God, be merciful to me, a sinner." [Luke 18:13] With devotion and reverence he repeated that verse of David: "I am he that has sinned, I have done wickedly." [II Kings 24:17]. Then he would weep and groan vehemently and say: "I am not worthy to see the heights of heaven because of the greatness of my iniquity, for I have aroused thy anger and done what is evil in thy sight." From the psalm: "Deus auribus nostris audivimus" he said fervently and devoutly: "For our soul is cast down to the dust, our belly is flat on the earth!" [Psalm 43:25]. To this he would add: "My soul is prostrate in the dust; quicken Thou me according to Thy word" [Psalm 118:25].
Wishing to teach the brethren to pray reverently, he would sometimes say to them: When those devout Magi entered the dwelling they found the child with Mary, his mother, and falling down they worshipped him. There is no doubt that we too have found the God-Man with Mary, his handmaid. "Come, let us adore and fall down in prostration before God, and let us weep before God, and let us weep before the Lord that made us" [Psalm 94:61]. He would also exhort the young men, and say to them: If you cannot weep for your own sins because you have none, remember that there are many sinners who can be disposed for mercy and charity. It was for these that the prophets lamented; and when Jesus saw them, he wept bitterly. The holy David also wept as he said: "I beheld the transgressors and began to grieve" [Psalm 118:158].
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.