Search
-
August 3, 2025The Fourth Way of Prayer
Saint Dominic would remain before the altar or in the chapter room with his gaze fixed on the Crucified One, looking upon Him with perfect attention. He genuflected frequently, again and again. He would continue sometimes from after Compline until midnight, now rising, now kneeling again, like the apostle Saint James, or the leper of the Gospel who said on bended knee: "Lord, if Thou wilt, thou canst make me clean" [Matthew. 8:2]. He was like Saint Stephen who knelt and called out with a loud cry: "Lord, do not lay this sin against them" [Acts 7:60]. Thus there was formed in our Holy Father, Saint Dominic, a great confidence in God's mercy towards himself, all sinners, and for the perseverance of the younger brethren whom he sent forth to preach to souls. Sometimes he could not even restrain his voice, and the friars would hear him murmuring: "Unto Thee will I cry, O Lord: O my God, be not Thou silent to me: lest if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit" [Psalm 27:1] and comparable phrases from the Sacred Scripture.
At other times, however, he spoke within himself and his voice could not be heard. He would remain in genuflection for a long while, rapt in spirit; on occasion, while in this position, it appeared from his face that his mind had penetrated heaven and soon he reflected an intense joy as he wiped away the flowing tears. He was in a stage of longing and anticipation like a thirsty man who has reached a spring, and like a traveler who is at last approaching his homeland. Then he would become more absorbed and ardent as he moved in an agile manner but with great grace, now arising, now genuflecting. He was so accustomed to bend his knees to God in this way that when he traveled, in the inns after a weary journey, or along the wayside while his companions rested or slept, he would return to these genuflections, his own intimate and personal form of worship. This way of prayer he taught his brethren more by example than by words.
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.