The morning times., 1896-08-10
FESTIVAL OF ST. DOMINIC
Solemnly Observed at the
Church of That Name.
HIGH MASS CELEBRATED
Rev. r. A. Wilson of California
Preached a Sermon on His Life and
WOrks-Was the Inventor of the
Rosary aud the Founder of an Or
der of Monks.


yentor OF the rosary and the founder of
the Dominican order OF friars and priests.
was impressively celebrated at st. Domi-
MICS cathedral, Sixth and E streets
southwest, yesterday morning, when SOL
emn high mass was observed. Over 200
worshippers were in attendance The
Other services or the day were masses at 6,
7:30 and9 q. m. and7 pm.
Solemn high mass was conducted by the
Rev. Father F. A. Spencer OF this city
The choir OF female voices filled the
large church with songs and chants Of
beautiful melodies during the mass.
Father F. A. Wilson of Beuacia, Cal,
Delivered the sermon euIogizing the great
saint 1t was pri iucipaIly a review of his
life and an earnest exhortation to the
congregation to profit by the illustriOus
example set before them. Father Wilson
spoke partly as follows:
MEMORY OF A SAINT.
To-day we celebrate the memory of a
saint who died six hundred years ago,
yet whose influence is greatly felt and
seen TO the present. day. st. DomiD
was one of the men who made and shaped
the history of the world during their
nretimes. He was chosen at critical
period in the church's life to lead 1t forth
triumphant from the bcrcsies which were
working within 1t and to re-establisb 1t
Upon a iirmer spiritual basis And his
fellow men have shown their appreca-
ton of his LIES work by keeping green
the memory of his name
Born of an iIlustrious Spanish family
lie had all that material possessions could
bestow and a bright future for great
worldly fame; but lie soon realized the
vanity OF sounding brass and tinkliug
cymbai.' and devoted hislife to the service
OF the church and the love ofGod, in which
he placed all his trust and hope.
''As priest lie received all the promotion
and honors which could be conferred upon
the humble preacher of the world That
devotion and heartfelt piety. which marked
his whole life. he dispIa yed as priest.
"A dangerous heresy had been working in
southeastern France and heretofore had
defied all efforts OF the church. under the
leadership OF such men as st. Bernard, at
crushing it. The Albigensians were threat
cning the doctrines OF the church more
and more as each day passed. St
Dominic'sability had been shown in various
lines before this time and he was Mt last
given the task of supp.essing the heretics.
For this purpose he gathered about him
few chosen men. the nucleus OF the Domfnt
can order. which was destined TO become
one or the m ost powerful orders of the
church nd todirect It's policy for more than
three centuries. The foundation OF the
order and the invention of the rosary were
the two great accomplishments of this
great mans life.
Having entered upon the work OF de
ssroyinG the Albigensian heresy. he would
not desist until his object had been realized
1t was the perseverance he displa yed. sus-
tanned by the virtue in him and the grace
and love of God. which brought about the
success OF everything undertaken by him.
No matter how many weary years were
needed to the successful determine ton OF
Il work, If st. Dominic were but satisfied
that the grace and the love and the power
of cd were behind all his efforts. he never
faltered. even under the severest trials and
difficulties.
WAS VERY PIoUS.
Another marked characteristic OF this
mans life was his firm belief in the power
of pra yer. and he would always first ap-
peal TO his Master for His gracious aid
before setting out upon what he purposed
10 do. Is it any wonder that such a man
as ne. extremely pious in all things, sus
tanned by the grace and love of God. a
firm believer in the efficacy OF prayer
is it any wonder that he should be the
one chosen of men to work such great
and lasting works? Rather the wonder is
that it could be possible for such man
to fail.
The great and good man OF God died
as he h All lived, ever trusting n the Saviour
of men. His light expired in Bologna in
the year 1921, but not before he saw the
works of his hands and mind, of his whole
life. triumphant: the heresy under con-
troll once more. and the order which he
had established on firm basis and al
ready becoming potent factor In the
Church's history.
with such an nlustrious and reverend
example before US. how can we help hut
gain spiritual profit and strength? st.
Dominic's spirit of humhIeness and no.
tification in all things should teach US
the emptiness of worldly pride, and his re-
nunciation of all worldly things for him
self and his order and their ciinging to
spiritua! things. reminds you and me OF the
only way to obtain the happiness OF the
life hereafter. And above all. his employ
ment of pra yer for the aid of God in all
his undertakings should be an example
worthy OF the imitation OF the highest and
the lowest of men. Let US ever keep be-
fore us the memory OF the life and the
deeds of this great saint and then we
cannot far err in our attempts to attain a
s,iri,t,oi perrnetn tneSs of mind OF holy. and