December 20: Saint Dominic of Silos

Today, December 20, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Dominic of Silos (1000-1073), the saint whom the other Saint Dominic—founder of the Dominican Order, the Order of Preachers—was named after. According to Dominican tradition, Saint Dominic of Silos appeared to Blessed Joan of Aza, the mother of Saint Dominic, who then made a pilgrimage to his shrine while pregnant, selecting him as the namesake of her soon-to-be-born son.  Due to his sanctity and model life, Saint Dominic is frequently depicted enthroned, surrounded by the seven virtues of the Church.

Dominic of Silos was born in Navarre, Spain, a shepherding town in the Pyrenees. As a young boy and man, he served his father’s flocks as a shepherd, relishing the solitude of the shepherding life, and spending his days in quiet contemplation and prayer. He undertook his own studies, as few teachers were present, with the exception of the Holy Spirit. Eventually, drawn to the Lord, he entered the monastery of San Millan de la Cogolla as a monk. Recognized for his piety and sanctity, Dominic soon thereafter became the prior of the monastery. While serving as prior, Saint Dominic was drawn into a disagreement with the king of Navarre, who insisted that the monastery’s possessions were rightfully his. Dominic disagreed, and for his trouble was exiled. He, with his monks, traveled to Castille, and were appointed at the monastery of Saint Sebastian at Silos. It was due to his long-term service at Silos that Saint Dominic received his referential name.

Upon arrival, it became clear that the monastery at Silos was neglected and in disrepair—both physically and spiritually. The buildings were falling down around the brothers who labored there. During the first Mass offered following Dominic’s arrival, when the celebrant turned towards the people at the Offertory to chant: Dominus vobiscum, he said instead: "Behold, the restorer cometh!" and the choir responded: "It is the Lord who has sent him!" The prophetic words were soon fulfilled as Saint Dominic immediately undertook to restore the monastery to its former state, in the process reforming the lives and practices of the monks who resided there. Dominic preserved the Mozarbic Rite (one of the early variants of the Latin Rite) at the monastery at Silos. He further preserved the Visigothic script of ancient Spain, with the monastery becoming a center of learning and liturgy. Saint Dominic was further recognized for his charity, and became renowned in the region for miraculous cures of the sick, blind, and lame.

Dominic served as prior of the monastery at Silos for many years, filling his days with good works, miraculous cures, prayer, and ransom of captives. After many years, this holy man was advised of his imminent death by the Blessed Virgin. He recounted to his brothers the next day: “I spent the night near the Queen of Angels. She has invited me to come in three days where She is; therefore I am soon going to the celestial banquet to which She invites me.” Soon thereafter, he fell ill for three days, and subsequently peacefully perished. Those present reported observing his visible soul rise to heaven.

Saint Dominic of Silos didn’t take no for an answer. As a child, when there was no one to teach him, he taught himself through the grace of God and the gifts of the spirit. When he was forcibly driven from the monastery he had made his home, he simply found another one—and in assuming leadership, transformed the crumbling spiritual structure into a center of praise, learning, and glory for the Lord. All too often, we give up in our lives when things get difficult, or don’t go exactly as we planned. Saint Dominic of Silos never gave up. Every effort, every part of his being, lived to serve and glorify the Lord. While he performed many miracles of healing, this focused attitude of love and service, and transformation of not only monasteries, but souls, may be the far more important miracle of his life!


Day 354 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Lives focused on the Lord; Perseverance in serving God.
Requested Intentions: Successful completion of nursing exam (M); For a daughter in an abusive relationships (J); For the consecration of a granddaughter to Our Blessed Mother (A); For a successful marriage (S); Restoration of a teaching job (L); Health and spirituality of family members (R); For a return to health for a friend (C); Healing from cancer of a brother-in-law (C); Healthy relationship; Joy in everyday life (J); Successful employment and financial assistance for education (M); For the return home of father and husband suffering from mental illness (C); Successful passing of examination; Employment for Son (J); Healing of a family and son (S); Successful marriage (G); End to husband’s addictions; Son’s employment (M); Freedom from financial burdens (M); Healing after a miscarriage (E); For healing of friend; successful resolution of legal matter (A); Complete healing of a friend with pancreatic cancer (J); Healing of a father following stroke (S).