St. Dominic



A poem published in the magazine of the Dominican Studentate at Orlim, Aspiring Preachers, Issue 2 (2019), pg. 14.


He was born at a time

When the light of faith

Had dimmed in all the world.

He was born at a time

When the seed of doubt

Had sprouted in all the world.

An amazing thing - his mother beheld

A hound that set fire to all the world.


He grew up at a time

When the lack of bread

Pushed hundreds through starvation's door.

He grew up at a time

When the jaws of debt

Devoured the young and the old.

Lo! Behold - He sells the texts of his studies

To comfort the needy and poor.


He was poor at a time

When ecclesial men

Strutted about in royal robes.

He was poor at a time

When the love of God

Was replaced with the love of gold.

Along with his brethren he goes out

A mendicant, begging his food.


He died at a time

When his brethren were

To the ends of the earth dispersed.

He died at a time

When his Order had

Been confirmed by the Roman Church.

Great though he was, he asked to be

Buried beneath his brethren's feet.


He lives on in a time

When the universe

Hungers for the Bread of Life.

He lives on in a time

When the world is parched

Due to its neglect of God.

See now his brethren freely dispense

God's Word - even after eight hundred years!

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