VOCATION OFFICE E-NEWSLETTER MARCH 2025

From the Dominican Monastery in Rome

Photo by Fr Lawrence Lew, O P

man whose entire life was founded on prayer. Despite facing many discouraging failures, he entered more deeply into his persistent dialogue with God: “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105) He often turned to the word of the Scriptures as if he were speaking to a friend, and perhaps at this time he was encouraged to trust with greater confidence in the Lord’s word: “The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure, silver refined purified seven times” (Psalm 12:6) Praying on night on a hilltop overlooking the city of Prouille, he saw a light from heaven that hovered over the church of Sainte Marie in Prouille. From this he understood that here was where he should make his first foundation of contemplative nuns

When the vision of a new Order of Preachers remained indistinct and when the current preaching mission seemed doomed to failure, Dominic made a foundation dedicated completely to prayer. This indicates the priority of prayer in his own life. He understood that the conversion of those to whom he ministered would be impossible without fervent prayer to heaven for a lifting of the darkness of error Dominic wished not merely to convince his hearers to return to

the Church, but to spark within them a transformation of heart He wanted to share the light of Christ he had beheld in prayer so that “ we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, [might be] changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another” (1 Corinthians 3:18) Dominic himself had first been transformed in the image of the “true light that enlightens every man ” (John 1: 9) and thus became a lamp, shining like the sun in the temple of God From his first preaching mission to his first foundation to the first sending out of his friars, he sought to communicate to others the radiant confidence he found in Christ alone: “You do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).

The church of Sainte Marie in Prouille

D o m i n i c a n S a i n t s

St. Catherine de Ricci

St. Catherine de Ricci (1522-1589) is remarkable for .............her perseverance amid a variety of trials, large and small As a young girl she lost her mother, and in her grief she turned to her heavenly Mother, Mary Under the mantle of Our Lady, she grew to become a woman utterly in love with and conformed to Christ Catherine’s father initially opposed her vocation to a Dominican monastery. In the face of this opposition, Catherine fell ill until her father relented Shortly after receiving the Dominican habit, she began receiving the extraordinary favor of ecstatic prayer With little experience and absolutely no guile, Catherine did not realize such a favor was extraordinary, so it never occurred to her to alert her superior. Consequently, when the other nuns saw her in ecstasy, they simply thought she was sleeping during prayers!

Once the community became aware of Catherine’s special spiritual favors, they developed the habit of watching her at prayer For a period of twelve years, she experienced a weekly ecstasy in which she re-lived the Passion, following all the movements of Christ and receiving his holy wounds in her own body In addition to these extraordinary and painful visions, Catherine also suffered from physical illness. As if that were not enough, she undertook many voluntary penances

All this bore fruit in a remarkable capacity for spiritual leadership, and she served her community as novice mistress and as prioress for many years She also served the poor and the sick, giving cheerfully and generously. Although, her growing reputation for sanctity brought her a great deal of attention, she always remained humble and unassuming

St Catherine de Ricci is the patron saint of the sick Her feast dayiscelebratedFebruary13.

The 'Mystical Marriage of

Caterina de’ Ricci' by Pierre Subleyras

IDEAS FOR LENT: MODERN DAY FASTING

Limit screen time

"But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.'”

Luke 10:41-42

Cut out sarcasm and complaining

“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.”

Ephesians 4:29

“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live.”

“Here I am Lord, I come to do your will.”

Make hidden mortifications (cold shower, no salt, choose against comfort, etc.) Get up with your alarm Embrace silence

“Be still and know I am God.”

Romans 8:13

1 Samuel 3:4

Psalm 46:10

Let us continue to offer fervent prayers for Pope Francis’ recovery in his current health crisis We encourage our friends especially to attend Mass and pray the Rosary for our Holy Father, praying also for the doctors and nurses who are caring so attentively for him May he experience the closeness of our merciful Savior in these days of trial