Translation of Holy Father Dominic

Twelve years after the death of St. Dominic in 1211, many bishops and a multitude of people were gathered in Bologna to celebrate the translation of his body to a marble sepulcher. Blessed Jordan of Saxony, St. Dominic's successor, recounts that the Dominicans present were seized with anxiety since the holy man had been buried in a modest tomb, exposed to water and heat for over a decade. Although they feared that the body would be found eaten by worms, the bishops pressed forward. When the tomb was opened, a wonderful odor emanated from the body. This marvelous aroma that the holy body emitted was evidence to all how much the saint had truly been the sweet fragrance of Christ.

Shortly before entering the Dominican novitiate last summer, I went to the Basilica di San Domenico in Bologna, Italy. While there, I was moved to tears when I venerated the skull of St. Dominic. His remains were contained under the marvelous painting of the Glory of St. Dominic, which depicted him ascending into heaven with Jesus and Mary at his right and left. While facing the relic of Holy Father Dominic, I asked him to pray for me as I enter his illustrious Order. I asked him to help me become one of his true sons, faithfully living out what he prescribed to his brothers: that they should always conduct themselves with integrity and devotion, as men intent on securing both their own salvation and that of others — living as Gospel men, following in the footsteps of the Savior.

While St. Dominic was dying, he comforted his brothers, saying, “Do not weep. I shall be of more use to you where I am going than I have been here.” O great Father, holy Dominic, receive us with you at the hour of death, and here always look upon us with love. Alleluia.