Novena to Holy Father St. Dominic

O renowned champion of the faith of Christ, most holy Saint Dominic! 

You renounced the honour and dignity of an earthly principality to embrace a poor, laborious, and mortified life that distinguishes a disciple of Him Who said: “If any man will come after Me, let him take up his cross and follow Me.”

O burning torch, consumed by the fire of divine love, you incessantly labored to enkindle that sacred flame in the hearts of others. Look down upon me from that throne of glory where you enjoy the reward of all your labors. Obtain for me some sparks of that blessed fire to animate my soul and encourage me under my crosses and trials to be pleasing to God so that He may visit me.

O great Saint, you regarded as nothing all the afflictions you endured and all the toils you underwent for the promotion of God’s holy cause. Obtain, I beseech you that the same ardent love which strengthened you, may make sweet to me labors, humiliations, disgraces, or what-ever other mortifications I may have to suffer for the Name of Jesus. May I ever bear in mind that nothing can happen to me but by the particular dispensation of a God Who is infinitely wise. He knows what is best for my welfare. He is infinitely powerful and consequently able to effect it. Above all He is infinitely merciful and loving, Who laid down His life for my redemption, and continues daily to give new proofs of His love and bounty.

O tender father of the poor who offered yourself for their relief when all other resources were exhausted, obtain for me that true spirit of compassion for the suffering members of Jesus Christ, which shone forth so conspicuously in your holy life. May I, by the charity for those whom Jesus so dearly loves, lay up for myself treasures in heaven, where you now enjoy that which the eye has not seen, nor the ear heard. The heart of man has not conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him, and who prove themselves His Disciples by the observance of His Divine precept “love one another.”

I praise and thank God for the high degree of sanctity to which you, O Dominic, were raised, and for the special privileges by which He has distinguished you. I call upon you by that gratitude with which you will be penetrated for all eternity by your Divine Benefactor, implore for me the grace to root out of my heart whatever is not agreeable in His sight, especially that evil habit by which I most frequently offend Him. Obtain likewise the favours I request in this Novena through your powerful intercession.

(Mention your intentions here)

O glorious Mother of God, Queen of the most sacred Rosary, you who loved Dominic with the affection of a mother, and were most tenderly loved and honored by him, look upon me for his sake with an eye of pity, deign to join with him in presenting these petitions to your most Blessed Jesus.

I sincerely desire from this moment to love Him with all my heart, and serve Him with all my strength, and now place myself under your powerful protection as a sure means of obtaining all the graces necessary to serve Him faithfully here, that I may eternally rejoice with Him hereafter. 

Amen.