THE DOMINICAN YEAR: months of February and March

3 February

B. PETER CAMBIANI OF RUFFIA

Friar, Priest and Martyr

(1320-1365) He was born at Ruffia (Piedmont, Italy) in 1320. He was inquisitor of the Faith in the Diocese of Turin and was entrusted to the deal with the Waldensians in Northern Italy. He was known for his austerity, sound doctrine and spirit of self-denial.

He was assassinated by the Waldensian heretics in the cloister of the Convent of Susa on 2 February, 1365. His body is venerated since 1516 in the convent of Saint Dominic of Turin. His cult was confirmed in 1856.

Collect

Loving God, in your mercy you bestowed the crown of martyrdom on (our brother) Blessed Peter (of Ruffia) for his defense of the true faith. Help us by his prayers to please you by a faith that is manifested through charity.

On the same day. 03 February

B. ANTHONY PAVONI

Friar, Priest and Martyr

(1326-1374) He was born at Savigliano (Turin, Italy) in 1326. By command of Pope Urban V, he was appointed successor to the holy martyr, B. Peter Cambiani to be the Inquisitor General for Piedmont and Ligura against the Waldensian heretics. He zealously dedicated himself to this task entrusted to him and because of his success he had also won a lot of enemies. He was distinguished for his incessant prayer and practice of virtue sustained him in his ministry.

While he was preaching at Bricherasio near Pieolo (Piedmont, Italy) we was brutally assassinated by the heretics. This happened on 9 April, 1374. His body is venerated since 1835 in the Dominican Church of Racconigi (Piedmont). His cult was confirmed in 1856.

Collect

God of all truth, to promote the unity of the faith, you gave (our brother) Blessed Anthony (Pavoni) a dauntless courage. Help us to follow in his footstep and so to obtain the object of our faith, our eternal salvation.

On the same day, 3 February

B. BARTHOLOMEW OF CERVERE

Friar, Priest and Martyr

(1420-1466) He was born in Savigliano (Piedmont, Italy) and entered the Order of Preachers while still young, there he professed, studied and was ordained a priest. He was for sometime a professor of Theology at the University of Turin until he was appointed Inquisitor General for Piedmont and Liguria for his expertise and apostolic zeal. He worked untiringly to defend the true faith and for this efforts received the crown of martyrdom.

He was exercising this ministry as he was on his way to Cervere near Fossano, where he was ambushed on the road and was attacked with lances and swords. He died on 21 April, 1466 becoming a worthy successor of his two martyred predecessors:

His body is venerated since 1802 in the Parochial Church of Cervere (Piedmont). His cult was confirmed in 1853.

These three martyrs who suffered for the faith in the same region are now honored on the same day.

Collect

Loving God, you made (our brother) Blessed Bartholomew (Cerveri) an outstanding champion of the faith and bestowed on him the crown of martyrdom. Help us by his prayers and example, to bear our cross and be worthy to share with him in your glory.

4 February

S. CATHERINE DE ’RICCI

Virgin and Sister

(1522-1590) Known in the world as Alessandra De’ Ricci, she was born at Florence (Italy) in 1522. She consecrated her life to the Lord and entered the convent of the III Order Conventual Sisters of Saint Dominic at Prato.

Since her youth she was assiduous in prayer and in a special way dedicated herself in the contemplation of the mysteries of the passion of the Lord, and was worthy to experience in her own body the holy wounds of Christ, which she was adorned by God for twelve (12) years (1542-1554) with the holy wounds. Despite her intense mystical life of prayer and penance, Catherine served as prioress of the convent for thirty-six (36) years.

Inspired by Fra Girolamo Savonarola, she constantly worked for the reform of Christian life and the promotion of conventual observance through her example and her teachings. She was noted as a kind and considerate superior, particularly gentle with the sick. People from all walks of life came to seek her prayers and wise counsels which she generously imparted to all. She left a collection of letters as legacy to her life in Christ.

She suffered grave infirmities and finally died at Prato (Italy) in 1590. Her body is venerated in the Basilica of San Vincenzo in Prato. She was canonized in 1746.

Liturgical note: “Memoria”

Collect

God of light and truth, by your grace (our sister) Saint Catherine (de’ Ricci) shone forth in her contemplation of the passion of your Son. By the help of her prayers may we meditate with reverence upon these same mysteries, and so come to enjoy their fruits

7 February

THE ANNIVERSARY OF OUR DECEASED PARENTS

The Dominican Family expresses today the piety towards our parents, putting themselves in a common celebration who in life and death were those who given us our earthly life and especially they too engendered us in Christ. In the same time, they educated us and offered to the following of Lord in the Order of Preachers. They are marked with the sign of faith in their baptism, may they sleep in the peace of the Lord.

Liturgical note: “Commemoratio”

Collect

God of all consolation, by whose command we honor father and mother, in your tenderness have mercy on our parents, forgive their sins, and let us see them at last in the light of eternal joy.

Or:

Loving Father, today we honor our deceased parents and we ask you to give them light, happiness and peace. Strengthen our hope and faith in our promised future with you.

12 February

B. REGINALD OF ORLEANS

Friar and Priest

(1180-1220) Reginald of Saint Giles was born in Orleans (France)around the year 1180. He was a priest and canon of Saint Aignan of Orleans when, on a trip to Rome, he met S. Dominic, where he was captivated by the holiness of the holy founder. Through the miraculous mediation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he joined the order and made profession in the hands of S. Dominic.

He was then sent to Bologna to found a convent, later he was reassigned to Paris. In both places he attracted many vocations into the order for the ardor of his preaching and the purity of his soul.

At his deathbed, the openly confessed his joy of joining the Order! He died at Paris on 12 February, 1220 and was buried at the Benedictine Church of Notre Dame des Champs. By the end of the XVIII century due to the upheavals of the French revolutions his remains were destroyed. His cult was confirmed in 1875. 

Liturgical note: “Memoria ab libitum”.

Collect

God of all riches, with the aid of the Mother of Mercy you called (our brother) Blessed Reginald (of Orleans) to a life of gospel poverty and granted him power to persuade others to embrace religious life. By his prayers guide our steps in the way of your Word, so that with hearts enkindled we may run in the way of your commandments.

13 February

B. JORDAN OF SAXONY

Friar, Priest and II Master of the Order

(1175-1237) Jordan Eberstein was born at Burgberg (Westfalia, Germany) around 1175. He was the son of the Counts of Eberstein. He studied at Paris and was already a master of Arts an Bachelor of Theology in 1220 when through B. Reginald of Orleans, he was able to meet S. Dominic.

The word and example of the holy Patriarch inspired him and he immediately joined the Order.

At the death of S. Dominic in 1221, the General Chapter convoked in Paris the following year elected him as successor to lead the nascent Order in its mission for the salvation of souls. At the death of the Holy Patriarch in 1221, he was elected to succeed him as the Leader and Father of the Preachers. For fifteen (15) years he served the brethren and the nuns through his preaching, letters, his frequent visitations and the example of his life.

He was one of the great figures of the Order which contributed greatly in its growth and expansion and he was able to transmit to the next generation the essential lines of the spirit bequeathed by S. Dominic to his religious family.  He authored a book known as the «Libellus Principiis Ordinis Praedicatorum» relating life and work of S. Dominic and the beginnings of the Order.

He consolidated the foundation of S. Dominic with the reception of more than a thousand friars during his term as Master of the Order and the foundation of many communities across the Christian world.

Filled with the zeal for souls and the love for the legacy of S. Dominic, he ceaselessly promoted the Order and great impetus in the recruitment and promotion of Dominican vocations. He was remembered to be a man of eloquence, a tender heart and impassionate zeal to bring all to the love of Christ.

His love for Mary the Mother of God is expressed through the tradition of chanting the Salve Regina after Compline and other Marian devotions attributed to him further deepened the Marian aspect of Dominican spirituality which continues to this very day.

During his mastership he presided over the solemn translation of the remains of S. Dominic (1232) and the eventual glorification of the holy founder as a canonized saint in 1234.

During his visitation to the Holy land he died during shipwreck and drowned off the coast of Syria. This happened on 13 February, 1237. He was buried at the Saint Jean de Acre which was later destroyed.  His cult was confirmed in 1876. He is proclaimed as the heavenly patron of those who dedicate themselves in the promotion of vocations in the Order by the General Chapter of 1955.

Liturgical note: “Memoria obligatoria”.

Collect

Gracious God, you called (our brother) Blessed Jordan (of Saxony) to the preaching of the gospel by which he drew many to the apostolic way of life. Help us to preach the way of salvation faithfully and so proclaim the kingdom of Christ your Son

Also on the same day 16 February

B. NICHOLAS PAGLIA OF GIOVINAZZO

Friar and Priest

(1197-1256) He was born in Giovinazzo, near Bari (Puglia, Italy). While he was still a student at Bologna he was attracted by the passionate preaching and holiness of S. Dominic from whom he received the habit and the mandate to preach. He was also the “socius” or the travelling companion of the Holy Patriarch in his apostolic journeys.

He was a very learned man, and promoted the study of Sacred Scriptures.  To him we owe the preparation of a Biblical concordance.  He was also a man of government as he served as Prior Provincial of the Roman Province for two terms and founded the Priories of Perugia and Trani.

He died at Perugia in 1256 and buried inside the Church of S. Dominic. Some of his relics were transferred to the Dominican Church at Giovinazzo. His cult was confirmed in 1828.

Collect

O Lord, you gave (our brother) Blessed Nicholas (Paglia) a special grace for preaching your word and for obtaining the salvation of his neighbors. With the help of his prayers may we stand firm in that same holy calling.

18 February

B. JOHN OF FIESOLE

Friar and Priest

(1387-1455) Popularly known as “Beato Angelico” or “Fra Angelico”, Guido di Mungello was born at Vicchio di Mugello (Tuscany) in 1387. He entered the Order of Preachers by taking the Dominican habit at the Convent of San Domenico of Fiesole which was at that time recently reformed by B. John Dominici and was one of the centers of the reform movement, and after his formation was ordained to the priesthood.

He began to practice his previous profession as a miniaturist, and by 1419 he revealed himself as an extraordinary artist, always united in Christ. He was able to express in his paintings in the most beautiful and most profound form which he had contemplated in his soul, and was convey the divine, bringing souls towards the vision of these realities. When he served as prior of San Domenico, he promoted regular observance and and shared the fruits of his contemplation through his painted altars at Fiesole.

The priceless frescoes for the convent of San Marco in Florence, expressly commissioned by S. Antoninus of Florence, reminded the resident friars to speak only to God and of God. He was also commissioned to decorate the Vatican Basilica and the Papal Apartments where through his frescoes, reminded the Pontiff, through the life and martyrdom of S. Laurence the Deacon that the true treasure of the Church is the poor.

 As a preacher he brought the word of God through his artistic brushstrokes and vivid images, even in life, the special quality of his paintings, that luminosity and beatific “conversation” among the sainted figures in his works, earned him the title “Fra Angelico.” Yet despite his fame, he remained humble and simple, pious and filled with charity.

He died in Rome at the Convent of Santa Maria sopra Minerva on 18 February, 1455. His remains are kept and venerated at the said Dominican Basilica. In 1984 S. John Paul II proclaimed him as the universal patron of artists.

Liturgical note: “Memoria obligatoria”.

Collect

God of eternal beauty, in your providence you inspired (our brother) Blessed John of Fiesole (or Blessed Angelico) to reveal in images of earth the tranquil harmony of heaven. With the help of his prayers and by following his example may our lives reveal that same splendor to the hearts of all our brothers and sisters.

Or

God of eternal beauty, by your ineffable grace (our brother) Blessed John of Fiesole (or Blessed Angelico) studied and taught the mystery of your Word. With the help of his prayers, at last may we be led to contemplate the radiance of your majesty face to face.

19 February

B. ÁLVARO OF ZAMORA

Friar and Priest

(1350-c. 1430) also known as “Alvaro of Cordoba”, he was born at Zamora, Spain in 1350. In 1348 he entered the Order.  He was for many years a professor at Saint Paul of Valladolid and later attained the title of Master of Theology at Salamanca and was the confessor of King Juan II of Castille.

When his superiors entrusted him to the ministry of preaching, he manifested his extraordinary gifts for this work. He preached throughout the regions of the Iberian Peninsula and Italy. After a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Italy (1418-1420) in order to know closely the order’s reform initiated by B. Raymond of Capua.

Pope Martin V appointed him as the Vicar General of the reformed convents in Spain. He began the work of reform in Spain by founding the famous convent of Scala Coeli (Córdoba) as the cradle of the reform in the Iberian Peninsula. There he promoted the regular life and intense contemplative prayer through recollection.

Through his preaching and contemplation of the Lord’s Passion he spread the practice of the Way of the Cross throughout the West as we know today.

He died on the 19 February around the year 1430 and his body is venerated in the convent of Scala coeli. His cult is confirmed on 22 September, 1741.

Collect

God of mercy, you endowed (our brother) Blessed Alvarus (of Zamora or of Cordova) with the gifts of penance and divine love. With the help of his prayers and example , may we always bear the suffering of Chrit in our bodies and your love in our hearts.

20 February

B. CHRISTOPHER OF MILAN

Friar and Priest

(1410-1484) He was born at Milan (Italy) around 1410.  As a young man he joined the Order of Preachers at the Convent of San Eustorgio, and was ordained a priest in 1438.

He had also served as Master of Novices at Mantua. As a formator, he wrote a treatise “De servitute Dei” (On the Service of God) for the neophytes in the Dominican life.

Following the example of S. Vincent Ferrer, he dedicated himself to preaching throughout the vast regions of Northern Italy and even ministered as far as Marseille. He was famous for the doctrinal solidity of his homilies. The austerity of his life and his zeal for souls led an ancient chronicler to say of him: "He was truly a Christ-bearer, for he carried Christ not only in name, but in his heart and on his lips."

He also was assiduous in his studies and the passionate for divine worship and liturgical decorum.

In 1446, he founded the convent of Santa Maria della Misericordia at Taggia (Liguria, Italy) where he exercised the great task of promoting regular life. 

He died in the Convent of Taggia on Ash Wednesday after 3 March, 1484 and his body is venerated in the Church of Santa Maria della Misericordia. His cult was confirmed in 1875. His liturgical memoria is celebrated on this day.

Collect

God of justice and truth, you made (our brother) Blessed Constantius (of Fabriano) renowned for his unceasingly prayer and his zeal for peace. By the help of his prayers may we walk in the path of justice and reach everlasting peace and glory.

24 February

B. CONSTANTIUS SERVOLI OF FABRIANO

Friar and Priest

(+1481) He was born at the beginning of the XV century at Fabriano (Italy) to a family of modest means. He entered the Order at the Convent of Santa Lucia di Fabriano at age fifteen (15)  and completed his formation at Bologna. He later taught theology in various Convents of the Order and was known as a good professor.

A man of assiduous prayer, austere life, he was a staunch collaborator of the reform promoted by S. Antoninus of Florence and was later he was entrusted with important office of government which he exercised without detriment to his great activity as a preacher.

In his ministry, he took particular emphasis to promote social peace, which he was especially gifted to execute.

He died in 1481 at Ascoli Piceno (Italy). His mortal remains rests at the Church of San Domenico while his skull is venerated at the Cathedral Church of Fabriano. His cult was confirmed with mass and office by Pius VII in 1821.

24 February

B. ASCENSIÓN OF THE HEART OF JESUS

Virgin, Religious and Foundress

(1868-1940) Also known as Florentina Nicol Goñi, she was born at Tafalla (Navarra, Spain) in 1868 and was educated by the Dominican nuns of Huesca where she eventually joined and made her profession in 1886. After living in her convent as a dedicated teacher, she was invited by Servant of God, Ramon Zubieta y Les to lead a group of five women Dominicans to work in the Peruvian Amazon. In time, with Msgr Zubieta she organized the Congregation known as the Dominican Missionaries of the Holy Rosary. Elected as Prioress General, she led the nascent congregation with prudence, wisdom and holiness of life. Under her care and leadership she consolidated the Institute and extended its work beyond South America. In 1932 she led the first group of missionaries to China. She died at the Motherhouse of the Congregation in Pamplona (Spain) in 1940. She was beatified in 2005.

Liturgical note: Being the first beatified sister and foundress to have personally came to China, her memoria is celebrated as “obligatory” for the Order in the “Greater China Area” (GCA).

Collect

Lord you bestowed upon your virgin, (our sister) Blessed Ascension (Nicol of the Sacred Heart) countless apostolic virtues and inspired her to offer her life to serve and educate the poor, the marginalized, the women and the weak; may we cherish what she treasured in life and put her teachings and counsels into practice.

Or

O God, Father of mercy, who called the virgin,(our sister), Blessed Ascension (Nicol or of the Sacred Heart) to serve you with generosity in the most needy: allow us, through her intercession to discover the treasures of your love and to share them with all humanity.

19 March

B. JOHN OF SAINT DOMINIC MARTINEZ

Friar, Priest and Martyr

(1577-1619) He was born at Manzanal of the Infantes (Zamora, Spain) in 1570. When he was studying at Salamanca, he entered the Order and made his profession in 1594. After his ordination to the priesthood he volunteered to the missions in the Far East and joined the Province of Our Lady of the Rosary, arriving in the Philippines in 1602.

He was assigned to various missions in the islands, learning various dialects of the people entrusted to his care and was able to reap many apostolic fruits. He also learned Chinese and ministered among the Chinese in Manila.

In 1618, he was originally sent to the new foundation of the kingdom of Chosun (present day Korea) but was not able to go beyond Japan where he decided to stay behind knowing of the need of missionaries in Japan due to the persecutions.  Thus with the help of a native catechist and B. Angelo Orsucci, he began to study Japanese.

But on the midnight of December, 1618, both priests were detained and was imprisoned at Suzuta, where he died of exhaustion in 19 March, 1619.

He was beatified in 1867 part of the famous group known as the “Martyrs of the Great Persecution”. 

Liturgical note:

Their liturgical “memoria” is celebrated collectively with the rest of the beatified martyrs of the Great Persecution in Japan (1617-1632) on 10 September under the title of “B. Alfonso Navarrete and Companion Martyrs of Japan”. In the Province of Our Lady of the Rosary, it enjoys the ranks of “Memoria obligatoria”.

Collect

Grant we pray, almighty God, that we may follow with due devotion the faith of (our brother) Blessed John (of Saint Dominic Martinez), who, for spreading the faith, merited the crown of martyrdom.