Bookshelf

St. Dominic: The Story of a Preaching Friar

As we continue to explore and learn more about our parish patron, St. Dominic, in this year of the 800th anniversary of his death, we offer a second fascinating book to add to your reading list. St. Dominic:  The Story of a Preaching Friar, by Donald J. Goergen, OP., tells the history of St. Dominic's life, mission, and spirituality. It is presented in a way that is approachable for the contemporary reader.

St. Dominic founded the Order of Preachers, better known as the Dominicans, but for Dominic, preaching did not mean being a good homilist. For St. Dominic, it was about sharing the Truth of Christ's death and resurrection, in being an evangelist like the apostles. His friars were to leave the monastery and go out into the world. They were to be humble, but boldly engage others in the quest for the Truth by sharing God's Word in human, understandable words, such as love, mercy, and compassion.  

We don't hear St. Dominic often mentioned when the great saints are named, but that is due more to St. Dominic's mission, which was to  always point to the Gospel, to point to Jesus. Like St. John the Baptist, he felt he must decrease and Christ increase. Yet, Blessed Jordan of Saxony, who became the successor Master of the Order of Preachers, wrote that St. Dominic was loved by everyone, because he loved everyone. He was full of grace and compassion. St. Dominic reflected the love of Christ through his life. His  spirituality was also tied very much into community, into listening to, living with, loving, and forgiving one another. 

We have much to learn and be inspired by the story of St. Dominic and this book provides a way to journey through his life.

Saint Dominic's Way of LIfe

As part of our celebration of the 800th Anniversary of the death of our parish patron, St. Dominic, we encourage you to learn more about him by reading the book, “Saint Dominic’s Way of Life: A Path to Knowing and Loving God,” by Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP and Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, OP.

Pope Francis said, "St Dominic’s great call was to preach the Gospel of God’s merciful love in all its saving truth and redemptive power, showing the inseparability of faith and charity.”  There is much we can learn from St. Dominic's spirituality.

The best selling author and retreat master, Fr. Jacques Philippe said, “This beautiful book allows us to get to know Saint Dominic better, who was so close to God and so full of compassion for all the sufferings of his time. He is a shining example of what we are called to do today: seek God with all our heart to pour out the balm of his merciful love on all the plagues of our world.” 

We will take online orders with payment of $15 through November 1, 2021

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Everything is Grace: the LIfe and Way of Therese of Lisieux

One of my favorite saints is St. Therese of Lisieux. She is known for her “little way” that strives to find joy in all the little things as an expression and appreciation for God’s love. Recently, I picked up a book as a spiritual read titled, "Everything is Grace: the Life and Way of Therese of Lisieux." by Joseph Schmidt, FSC. One of the pages I marked as being significant. I sat on this paragraph for quite a bit and share it with you for your own pondering:

Therese says to modern people, burdened with a sense of homelessness in life and suffering a sense of quiet despair, "You are searching in the face of death for meaning in your life, for authentic existence, for liberation, for happiness, for freedom, and for truth; you are looking for love and transcendence, for connectedness and companionship, for affirmation and a sense of fulfillment. I have discovered what you search for: it is God, it is divine love stooping down to embrace you. And I know a way that will lead you out of your darkness and suffering. The way is the path of accepting divine love into your life. Of willing to be available to the beloved God even in our weakness and despair. It is the way of being aware of your need for love, willing to give yourself to God’s loving embrace like a child abandons itself with confidence and love into the arms of its loving parent, and the freely sharing love with others in creative good works of peace and justice. It is the willingness to be the person God calls you to be."

There is so much in our world that zaps us of the simplicity required to put God first. Just imagine if we focused on nothing but loving God and loving others what a wonderful world this would be.