Rose of Patience

The O Lumen, which we sing every night in honor of our Holy Father, Saint Dominic, goes like this:

Light of the Church, Teacher of Truth, Rose of Patience, Ivory of Chastity, you freely poured forth the Waters of Wisdom, Preacher of Grace, unite us with the blessed.

In these dark times, when many troubles assail the Church and the world, we remember how Saint Dominic faithfully preached the Word of God, “in season and out of season ...unfailing in patience and in teaching” (2 Tim 4:2). The beauty of a rose is in its many layers and hidden depths. So Saint Dominic’s patience flowered from the depths of his heart, so ardently desiring the salvation of souls, and so willing to spend himself in prayer throughout the night, and in preaching throughout the day. Saint Dominic did not lose hope, but willing endured the hardships which God permitted to come his way. May his example inspire us to do the same.