Saints this Month - 8 August, St Dominic

18 months ago, my 10 year old nephew and godson, Leo, said to me that he wanted to choose St Dominic as his patron for his Confirmation. He asked me to write a short account of St Dominic’s life. I included the following section which I think bears reproduction (slightly adapted) here.

Dominic’s Personality and Gifts

Dominic was of middling height and slender build. His face was ruddy and his hair and beard had a reddish colour. His eyes were striking and he was said to have a beautiful face, and one that seemed to give off a certain light. He was intelligent but sensitive, usually cheerful except when moved, as quite often, to tears by people’s suffering. He was known as a man of humility and purity, of prayer and penance, and of deep compassionate love. He was very disciplined with himself but merciful with others. He was noted for his peace and joy. He had great patience and courage. He made good friendships with both men and women, and was good company to be with.

He was generous, putting God and others before his own needs or wants. He loved Jesus and the Gospel, always carrying some of the Bible (Matthew’s Gospel and Paul’s letters) with him. He had a passion to help people know and love Jesus and so ‘save their souls’. He had great energy and commitment to the work of Jesus. When he preached he often moved people to tears as well as explaining the truth of Jesus well. His life and conversation were so God-centred that it was said that he only ever talked to God or about God – yet he seems to have done this in ways that were warm and human and attractive.

He was a good leader and a good organiser and good at making sensible laws to organise communities. He trusted others and gave them freedom and opportunities and encouragement to develop and use their gifts. In these ways he showed himself a true spiritual father. He was also wise and diplomatic. He saw clearly the needs of people in his time and what the church needed to do and set about bringing this about. In all this he was very open to being led by the Holy Spirit.

St Dominic, pray for us. May we be filled with your virtues, your values and your vision and so be vessels that God can use to reach others with the Gospel of Jesus today. Amen.