Duc in Altum

  A poem published in Dominican Ashram , Vol. 4 No. 2 (June 2022), pp. 83-85. Reproduced with permission. Like fragrant incense, rising up In clouds before the altar, The fragrance of your sanctity, Has filled the Church with wonder. And like a candle burns itself out To illumine the deep’ning darkness So your sacrificial life has brought To sinners, light and gladness. Father, Dominic, your earthly life Radiated Christ the Light: O Lumen Ecclesiae , Shine on us today.   Like gentle music, which delights The ears of all who listen, Your voice resounded ceaselessly In tireless, holy preaching. And like a solemn hymn or psalm Gives joy to all its singers, So you announced the Gospel loud Bringing salvation to us, sinners. Father, Dominic, in silence now Your voice is yet more clear and loud. O Doctor Veritatis , Guide our steps to Jesus.   Like grains of wheat that fall and die To yield a hundredfold, In penitence you...

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 b...