{"id":61,"date":"2022-10-11T22:26:15","date_gmt":"2022-10-11T22:26:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opsisters.org.nz\/preview\/?page_id=61"},"modified":"2023-05-18T22:04:46","modified_gmt":"2023-05-18T22:04:46","slug":"our-founder","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/opsisters.org.nz\/preview\/our-founder\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Founder"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Dominican Life is the Image of St Dominic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile is-image-fill\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>In his life we can find the elements of the Order\u2019s spirituality.&nbsp; Following the recommendation of Pope Pius XI we study our Founder\u2019s life in order to remain faithful to his original ideal and to have a sure and certain share&nbsp;in the graces that flow from our vocation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We can imitate our Founder in his love for the doctrines of the church, for the suffering Christ, for the Mass and Blessed Sacrament, for souls, and his reliance on Providence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>We should nourish a tender devotion to our Founder. A spiritual relationship (vows of the religious and the promises of a tertiary) binds him to us. From St Dominic we shall receive spiritual answers: the ability to understand the Dominican life, to live it well and to be zealous for souls.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/opsisters.org.nz\/preview\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/dominic.jpg);background-position:48% 12%\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"637\" height=\"902\" src=\"https:\/\/opsisters.org.nz\/preview\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/dominic.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4017 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opsisters.org.nz\/preview\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/dominic.jpg 637w, https:\/\/opsisters.org.nz\/preview\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/dominic-212x300.jpg 212w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 637px) 100vw, 637px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:49px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><style>#sp-ea-3421 .spcollapsing { height: 0; overflow: hidden; transition-property: height;transition-duration: 300ms;}#sp-ea-3421.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {border: 0px solid #e2e2e2; }#sp-ea-3421.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a {color: #444;}#sp-ea-3421.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.sp-collapse>.ea-body {background: #ffffff; color: #444;}#sp-ea-3421.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single {background: #28323c;}#sp-ea-3421.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a .ea-expand-icon.fa { float: left; color: #9b203b;font-size: 16px;}<\/style><div id=\"sp-ea-3421\" class=\"sp-ea-one sp-easy-accordion\" data-ex-icon=\"fa-minus\" data-col-icon=\"fa-plus\"  data-ea-active=\"ea-click\"  data-ea-mode=\"vertical\" data-preloader=\"\" data-scroll-active-item=\"\" data-offset-to-scroll=\"0\"><div class=\"ea-card  sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=#collapse34210 href=\"javascript:void(0)\"  aria-expanded=\"false\"><i class=\"ea-expand-icon fa fa-plus\"><\/i> Priestliness<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse34210\" data-parent=#sp-ea-3421><div class=\"ea-body\"><ul>\n<li>At seven started his formal education under the tutelage of an uncle who was a priest.<\/li>\n<li>Cathedral school of Palencia: philosophy then four years of theology \u2013 exceptional for the time.<\/li>\n<li>His love for the truths of the faith nourished in him a deep love for Our Divine Lord, the personification of all the mysteries and doctrines of the Church.<\/li>\n<li>His love for Christ appears in his prayer: \u201che gave his days to his neighbour and his nights to God.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>He had a profound devotion to the Mass, celebrating it every day, when possible singing it. He made the Order Liturgical: solemn chanting of the Divine Office.<\/li>\n<li>He always carried the Gospel of St. Matthew and the Epistles of St. Paul. Jordan of Saxony relates that he read these works so much that he practically knew them by heart.<\/li>\n<li>He deeply loved souls \u2013his prayers and penance were undertaken for their salvation.<\/li>\n<li>He wanted to give his life for souls, if necessary: \u201cI would have begged you to put me to death in the slowest possible way, to cut me to pieces bit by bit so my martyrdom would be prolonged for the good of souls.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>His compassion for people made him willing, as a student at Palencia, to sell his books to feed the hungry.<\/li>\n<li>As a good priest he was firm in correcting, but knowing how delicately a soul must be treated, he did not break a man\u2019s spirit.<\/li>\n<li>As a saintly priest he was excellent in giving advice, in counselling and consoling.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card  sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=#collapse34211 href=\"javascript:void(0)\"  aria-expanded=\"false\"><i class=\"ea-expand-icon fa fa-plus\"><\/i> Austerity<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse34211\" data-parent=#sp-ea-3421><div class=\"ea-body\"><p><b>SILENCE<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>St Dominic spoke very little, and according to St. James\u2019 precept, kept a guard over his tongue (James 3:5-10)<\/li>\n<li>\u201cSpoke only with God or about God.\u201d He lived totally and intensely in God\u2019s presence. This was the sole reason for his silence. He observed it everywhere, in the convent and the road. (Bologna, 3)<\/li>\n<li>Exterior silence to maintain interior silence: He was accustomed to walk with his eyes lowered, in order to preserve his sense of the presence of God.<\/li>\n<li>Paul of Venice: \u201c He could not remember him uttering an idle word or lie or bit of flattery or anything evil\u201d (Bologna, 41)<\/li>\n<li>St Dominic\u2019s recommendation: \u201cLet your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, that you may know how to answer every one.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><strong>FAST<\/strong><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>When the brethren had two courses for dinner, he was satisfied with one. He would always finish eating before the others, and then, as he listened to the reader, would often be overcome with fatigue and doze.<\/li>\n<li>From the days of Osma to the end of his life he ate no meat (Bologna, 4) and usually contented himself with bread and watered wine. (Toulouse, 15)<\/li>\n<li>He had no liking for the \u201cextras\u201d included in the refectory fare on certain liturgical feasts. \u201c You will kill the brethren with all these extras!\u201d (Bologna, 31)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div><strong>POVERTY\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>He had a great trust in Divine Providence. He so believed in God\u2019s help that he did not want the brethren to store up more food than what they needed for a day.<\/li>\n<li>He had no cell of his own, no room he could call his own, this demonstrate his radical poverty.<\/li>\n<li>The friars could never locate Dominic\u2019s bed, either in the convent or in stopping places on journeys. (Bologna, 20, 28, 37)<\/li>\n<li>He would sit or lie down, fully clothed often not even taking off his shoes, anywhere at all \u2013on a board, on some straw or simply on the ground. (Bologna, 13)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div><strong>PENANCE<\/strong><\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Determination to spend his nights in prayer.<\/li>\n<li>Sleep often overcame him on his travels. William Peyre reports that on journeys Dominic thought nothing of stretching out by the side of the road for a brief nap (Toulouse, 18)<\/li>\n<li>In the convent he frequently dozed off in the refectory: \u201cWhile the brethren were eating, he would fall asleep leaning forward on the table, exhausted as he was by his extended vigils, since he ate and drank very little, sleep overcame him at the table.\u201d (Brother Stephen, Bologna, 38)<\/li>\n<li>He followed the common life in everything.<\/li>\n<li>He always rejected honours and preferments (Toulouse, 25)<\/li>\n<li>Dominic wore a rough hairshirt and iron chain. He used the discipline, taking it himself or receiving it from one of the brothers (Bologna, 25)<\/li>\n<li>All these were prompted by his desire to participate in the Passion of Christ, to contribute his share to the redemption of souls.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card  sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=#collapse34212 href=\"javascript:void(0)\"  aria-expanded=\"false\"><i class=\"ea-expand-icon fa fa-plus\"><\/i> Joyousness<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse34212\" data-parent=#sp-ea-3421><div class=\"ea-body\"><ul>\n<li>William of Montferrat: \u201cHe was friendly to all, no matter who they were.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Jordan of Saxony: \u201ckindly joyousness\u201d \u201c\u2026since a happy heart makes for a cheerful face, the tranquil composure of the inner man was revealed outwardly by the kindliness and cheerfulness of his expression\u2026\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Brother Ventura: \u201ceminently approachable, available to all.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Paul of Venice: \u201cjoyous and patient in adversity.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cWhether he was served well or ill at table, well received or the reverse, whether he felt ill or fine, he always seemed \u201csmiling and joyous\u201d (Bologna, 7)<\/li>\n<li>Dominic was joyous in the midst of tribulations, and all the more radiant in proportion to their bitterness \u2013 strength of soul and confidence in trials.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card  sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=#collapse34213 href=\"javascript:void(0)\"  aria-expanded=\"false\"><i class=\"ea-expand-icon fa fa-plus\"><\/i> Self Control<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse34213\" data-parent=#sp-ea-3421><div class=\"ea-body\"><ul>\n<li>Evidence of remarkable self-control.<\/li>\n<li>Paul of Venice: \u201c the saint succeeded in remaining master of himself without prejudice to his enthusiasm or compassion (Bologna, 41). \u201cHe never saw master Dominic show anger, agitation or disturbance, either from the fatigue of travel or in the heat of some passion or in any other circumstance.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>William Peyre describes him as \u201ccalm and intrepid\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cAlways content with everything.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>\u201cHis mind was always steady and calm, except when he was stirred by a feeling of compassion and mercy\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Brother Rudolph, (Bologna, 32): \u201cHe never made correction on the spur of the moment but, allowing a little time to pass, would make a few calm and gentle observations in a cheerful way.<\/li>\n<li>He did indeed follow up their transgressions rigorously, but the humility with which he spoke always left them consoled\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card  sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=#collapse34214 href=\"javascript:void(0)\"  aria-expanded=\"false\"><i class=\"ea-expand-icon fa fa-plus\"><\/i> Tranquil Audacity<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse\" id=\"collapse34214\" data-parent=#sp-ea-3421><div class=\"ea-body\"><ul>\n<li>Fearlessness in \u201cpursuing\u201d the heretics to bring them back to the true Faith. He did this with the impulse of faith and charity. \u201cHe ardently devoted himself to the interests of the Faith and of peace\u201d (Toulouse, 3)<\/li>\n<li>Revealed in the way he founded the Order. He dispersed the brethren in the face of general disagreement. (Bologna, 26) \u201cSeed rots when it is hoarded, bears fruit when it is sown.\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Another example is that of Brother Stephen who, at Bologna, just as he was sitting down to a meal, was summoned by Dominic to come to the convent and once there, without more ado, was given the habit of the Preachers, although he had neither asked for it not been warned ahead of time. (Bologna, 36)<\/li>\n<li>His unbounded confidence in God, and consequently in his brethren. \u201cGo in confidence, for the Lord will give you the gift of divine preaching. He will be with you, you will want for nothing.\u201d (John of Navarre, Bologna, 26)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Where I am going, I will be of more use to you than I have been on earth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Fulfil, O Father, what thou hast said\u2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dominican Life is the Image of St Dominic In his life we can find the elements of the Order\u2019s spirituality.&nbsp; Following the recommendation of Pope Pius XI we study our Founder\u2019s life in order to remain faithful to his original ideal and to have a sure and certain share&nbsp;in the graces that flow from our &#8230; <a title=\"Our Founder\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/opsisters.org.nz\/preview\/our-founder\/\" aria-label=\"More on Our Founder\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3290,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-61","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"infinite-scroll-item"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/opsisters.org.nz\/preview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/61","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/opsisters.org.nz\/preview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/opsisters.org.nz\/preview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opsisters.org.nz\/preview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opsisters.org.nz\/preview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/opsisters.org.nz\/preview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/61\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5442,"href":"https:\/\/opsisters.org.nz\/preview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/61\/revisions\/5442"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opsisters.org.nz\/preview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/opsisters.org.nz\/preview\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}