Categories: faith, prayer-requests
Date: 13 February 2007 12:47:34
Today is the Feast of blessed Jordan of Saxony, second Master of the Order of Preachers and patron of Dominican Vocations.
A story that is told about Blessed Jordan goes like this:
"When on his way home to his convent with a fresh batch of novices, as they were all saying Compline together, one of them fell to laughing, and the rest catching on joined in right heartily. Upon this one of the blessed Master's companions made a sign for them to be quiet, which only set them off laughing more than ever. When the blessing had been given at the end of Compline, the Master turning to this friar rebuked him sharply: ‘Brother, who made you their master? What right have you to take them to task?' Then addressing the novices very gently, he said, ‘Laugh to your heart's content, my dearest children, and don't stop on that man's account. You have my full leave, and it is only right that you should laugh after breaking from the devil's thraldom, and bursting the shackles in which he held you fast these many years past. Laugh on, then, and be as merry as you please, my dearest sons.' They were all very much relieved on hearing him say so..." (with thanks to Godzdogs for the quote).
That spirit of joy is exactly how I've felt since Sunday, welling up and overflowing to the extent that people have noticed and asked why I'm so happy. That's an interesting conversation to have with one of the Directors of the company you work for:
"What are you grinning about?"
"I'm making temporary vows as a Lay Dominican, a member of the Order of Preachers, in March."
"What?"
At which point the lift doors closed and he disappeared from view...
"Blessed Jordan, worthy successor of St Dominic, in the early days of the Order, your example and zeal prompted many men and women to follow Christ in the white habit of Our Holy Father. As patron of Dominican vocations, continue to stimulate talented and devoted men and women to consecrate their lives to God. Through your intercession, lead to the Order of Preachers generous and sacrificing persons, willing to give themselves fervently to the apostolate of Truth. Help them to prepare themselves to be worthy of the grace of a Dominican vocation. Inspire their hearts to become learned of God, that with firm determination they might aspire to be 'champions of the Faith and true lights of the world'. Amen."