Dominican Sisters of St Catherine of Siena, Newcastle, Natal

08/08/2026

May we learn from St Dominic to become stupefyingly free 🙏🏼

07/08/2026

This is important for anyone who is investing. Often religious communities act through investment managers who do this as part of their day job. Great to see Sisters getting so actively involved!

07/08/2026

Novena to St. Dominic: Day 8
The Death of St. Dominic

“Well done, good and trustworthy servant…enter into the joy of your master. (Matt 25:21)

Spiritual Reading

St. Dominic died at Bologna, in 1221, on Friday, August 6, at mid-day. Father Ventura, Prior of Bologna, was present and ‘thus describes the blessed end of that holy life. “Father Dominic returned from Venice about the end of July. I begged him to rest that night but he prayed in the church till Matins at mid-night, and then was present in choir. Afterwards his last illness began. Lying on a straw mattress, he called the novices around him and exhorted them to fervor with cheerful words and smiling countenance. After being carried to a hill not far off, for better air, he preached a touching sermon to the brethren and was then anointed. Fearing lest he might not be buried ‘under the feet of his brethren,’ he was carried back to the convent. After an hour he said, ‘Begin.’ Then we began the prayers for a departing soul, and Dominic joined, until the words ‘Help him, ye saints of God,’ when he gave up the spirit.”

Responsory

From this vale of grief, ascending, see our father rise on high, while the angels’ voices, blending, greet him with sweet minstrelsy,

℟. Jesu, by his prayers of might, make us pleasing in Thy sight!
℣. By the Holy Name of Jesus, you raised the dead to life; Now, through Him, our loving Savior, loose our souls from sin and strife.
℟. Jesu, by his prayers of might, make us pleasing in Thy sight!

℣. Glory be to the Father, etc.
℟. Jesu, by his prayers of might, make us pleasing in Thy sight!

℣. Pray for us, O holy father, St. Dominic.
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray,

May Saint Dominic come to the help of your Church by his merits and teaching, O Lord, and may he, who was an outstanding preacher of your truth, be a devoted intercessor on our behalf. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

℣. May the divine assistance remain with us always.
℟. Amen.
℣. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟. Amen.

05/08/2026

Novena to St. Dominic: Day 7
Love of God and Neighbor

“We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.” (1 John 3:16)

Spiritual Reading

Love is the fulfillment of the law, and Dominic, the preacher of God’s law, was consumed with the fire of love. In all his actions his love for God appeared, and his constant prayer was that he might have true charity. From this love sprang that ardent desire to suffer for God which made him a martyr in spirit. So deeply was he moved by the love of Jesus Crucified that he longed to die for Him. His life of generous self-sacrifice proved his love sincere. As a youth he sold his only treasure, his books, to feed the famine-stricken poor. His life was entirely devoted to the hardest apostolic labor, travelling on foot far and wide to seek the lost sheep of the Good Shepherd and braving every kind of danger.

The true love of God is proved by the desire to be like Christ, and to labor and suffer for others.

Responsory

O happy, glorious vine, whose living sap o’er-flowing, has fertilized the world, on all men life
bestowing:

℟. A consecrated vessel, replete with heavenly wine, you offer to all mankind, the cup of grace
divine.
℣. Your fruitful branches circle our world around, and, ever, sweet new tendrils are springing o’er the ground.
℟. A consecrated vessel, replete with heavenly wine, you offer to all mankind, the cup of grace
divine.
℣. Glory be to the Father, etc.
℟. A consecrated vessel, replete with heavenly wine, you offer to all mankind, the cup of grace
divine.

℣. Pray for us, O holy father, St. Dominic.
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray,

May Saint Dominic come to the help of your Church by his merits and teaching, O Lord, and may he, who was an outstanding preacher of your truth, be a devoted intercessor on our behalf. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

℣. May the divine assistance remain with us always.

℟. Amen.

℣. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

℟. Amen.

04/08/2026

Novena to St. Dominic: Day 6
The Eucharist and Our Lady

“How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord.” (Ps 84:1-2)

Spiritual Reading

The Eucharist and the holy Mother of God were objects of Dominic’s tenderest devotion. His lively faith made the altar his paradise. Before the tabernacle he spent his nights, finding there rest after his labors; and arriving weary and footsore from a journey, he always visited the Blessed Sacrament before refreshing his body. However fatigued, he always celebrated Mass, if possible singing it, and during the Sacrifice tears flowed in streams down his face, moving all present to devotion.

Of God’s holy Mother he was always an ardent and reverent lover. His life, his work, his Order were placed under her protection, and he invoked her in every difficulty and danger. He began the custom of saying the “Hail Mary” before preaching. She filled him with heavenly favors, watched over him with motherly care, and gave the habit of his Order.

Responsory

The chaff of human frailty, threshed out by holy poverty, the good seed sown to fruit has grown, and, ripe for God, is quickly garnered home.

℟. The virgin’s lily shining in his hand, among the doctors Dominic stands.
℣. A flower blooming amid other flowrets fair, the mighty saint a double crown shall wear.
℟. The virgin’s lily shining in his hand, among the doctors Dominic stands.
℣. Glory be to the Father, etc.
℟. The virgin’s lily shining in his hand, among the doctors Dominic stands.

℣. Pray for us, O holy father, St. Dominic.
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray,

May Saint Dominic come to the help of your Church by his merits and teaching, O Lord, and may he, who was an outstanding preacher of your truth, be a devoted intercessor on our behalf. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

℣. May the divine assistance remain with us always.

℟. Amen.

℣. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

℟. Amen.

03/08/2026

Novena to St. Dominic: Day 5
How to maintain a Spirit of Prayer

“True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in integrity and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity.” (Mal 2:6)

Spiritual Reading

As an unbridled tongue destroys a spirit of prayer, Dominic loved silence, that he might dwell with God. Seldom speaking of earthly things, his conversation was of heaven, so that his heart could freely rest on God. Moreover, he carefully guarded his senses. If others spoke idly, he began to pray. On journeys his eyes were cast down, and he seldom noticed anything as he passed along. He fed his soul with constant spiritual reading. His books were the Bible and Cassian’s Conferences, and these he read continually from youth till death.

Dominic used to sit alone after dinner reading the Holy Scriptures. He would kiss the page, sign himself with the Cross, and then read, often with tears, always with many prayers.

Responsory

℣. With wondrous loaves the brethren are fed, Supplied from heaven at their father’s prayers.
℟. A child to life he raises from the dead, and bids the weeping mother dry her tears.
℣. He stays the rainfall with the sign of our salvation; His words are understood by men of every nation.
℟. A child to life he raises from the dead, and bids the weeping mother dry her tears.
℣. Glory be to the Father, etc.
℟. A child to life he raises from the dead, and bids the weeping mother dry her tears.

℣. Pray for us, O holy father, St. Dominic.
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray,

May Saint Dominic come to the help of your Church by his merits and teaching, O Lord, and may he, who was an outstanding preacher of your truth, be a devoted intercessor on our behalf. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

℣. May the divine assistance remain with us always.

℟. Amen.

℣. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

℟. Amen.

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02/08/2026

Novena to St. Dominic: Day 3
Compunction of Heart

“Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, but not into the hands of men; for as his majesty is, so also is his mercy. (Sirach 2:18)

Spiritual Reading
ROSA PATIENTIAE

Though so pure that Holy Church calls him “Ivory of Chastity,” and Christian art puts a lily into his hands, Dominic was always weeping over sin. His soul being full of contrition, acts of sorrow were constantly upon his lips. On seeing towns or villages, he used to weep over the sins committed there against God. Though so cheerful with others, in his prayers he shed many tears. But this sorrow was not merely hidden in the soul, it bore fruit in works of penance.

“If you have no sins of your own to weep for,” St. Dominic would say, “still weep, after
the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, and grieve for the sinners of the world, that they may repent.”

Responsory

He boldly proclaims the Word of life, knowing neither shame nor fear.

℟. His pen defends the faith of Christ and vanquishes the foe.
℣. Three times the book—O wonderful sight!— Into the flames they cast it; Three times it emerges uninjured from the fiery blaze.
℟. His pen defends the faith of Christ and vanquishes the foe.
℣. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
℟. His pen defends the faith of Christ and vanquishes the foe.

℣. Pray for us, O holy father, St. Dominic.
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

May Saint Dominic come to the help of your Church by his merits and teaching, O Lord, and may he, who was an outstanding preacher of your truth, be a devoted intercessor on our behalf. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

℣. May the divine assistance remain with us always.

℟. Amen.

℣. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

℟. Amen.

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02/08/2026

Novena to St. Dominic: Day 4
St. Dominic’s Prayer

“Be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts.” (Eph 5:18-19)

Prayer was the breath of St. Dominic’s life, the light on his path, the staff of his pilgrimage. He prayed always.

He won more souls by prayer than by preaching or miracles. Fervent and humble prayer was the sling and stone with which he overthrew the Goliath of heresy. In travelling, always on foot, he prayed as he went, sometimes singing Veni, Creator Spiritus, “Come, Creator Spirit,” or Ave, Maris Stella, “Hail, Star of the Sea,” or offering fervent short prayers, or reciting psalms.

Sometimes he walked behind his companions, saying, “Let us each think of our Divine Lord,” and often they found him kneeling in a thicket of wood, lost in God. His nights were passed before the altar, his companions were often awakened by his loud supplications.

Responsory

℣. He reaches the greatest heights of poverty and preaches against the sins of the world; His enemies fall before him or turn their backs and flee.
℟. The saint, undaunted, fears no earthly foe; To martyrdom for Christ full gladly would he
go.
℣. By night his soul in prayer is raised to Heaven; To preach the Master’s Word his days are freely given.
℟. The saint, undaunted, fears no earthly foe; To martyrdom for Christ full gladly would he
go.
℣. Glory be to the Father, etc.
℟. The saint, undaunted, fears no earthly foe; To martyrdom for Christ full gladly would he
go.

℣. Pray for us, O holy father, St. Dominic.
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray,

May Saint Dominic come to the help of your Church by his merits and teaching, O Lord, and may he, who was an outstanding preacher of your truth, be a devoted intercessor on our behalf. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

℣. May the divine assistance remain with us always.

℟. Amen.

℣. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

℟. Amen.

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31/07/2026

Novena to St. Dominic: Day 2
Humility

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself.” (Phil. 2:5-7)

Spiritual Reading

DOCTOR VERITATIS

Humility is the foundation of perfection. Though most innocent, he considered himself to be a base sinner. Constantly he prostrated himself before God, praying for long with his face on the ground, shedding abundant tears. Often he would strike his breast, exclaiming, “Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Before entering a town to preach, he used to kneel down on the road, begging God not to punish the people for his sins but to make his labor fruitful. When asked where he would be buried, “Under the feet of my brethren,” he said.

The saints, though great in virtue, look upon themselves as lowly, because they see themselves in the light of God, and knowing Him they know themselves. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt 11:29).

Responsory

Chosen by Christ’s free grace, he comes; For sinners’ needs to us he’s given.
℟. Called to the work while yet unborn, his advent’s marked by signs from heaven.
℣. The star upon his infant brow, shining with radiance pure and mild, reveals the splendor hidden within, the spirit of the new-born child.
℟. Called to the work while yet unborn, his advent’s marked by signs from heaven.
℣. Glory be to the Father, etc.
℟. Called to the work while yet unborn, his advent’s marked by signs from heaven.

℣. Pray for us, O holy father, St. Dominic.
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray

May Saint Dominic come to the help of your Church by his merits and teaching, O Lord, and may he, who was an outstanding preacher of your truth, be a devoted intercessor on our behalf. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

℣. May the divine assistance remain with us always.

℟. Amen.

℣. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

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30/07/2026

Day 1 of the Novena to St Dominic

Day 1 - The Power of His Good Example

“Like the morning star among the clouds, like the full moon at the festal season; like the sun shining on the temple of the Most High, how glorious he was.” (Sirach 50:6-7)

Spiritual Reading

LIGHT OF THE CHURCH

St. Dominic was born in Spain, ca. 1170. His childhood was most pious, and his youth angelic in purity. In the University of Palentia he was a model student. When twenty-five he became a Canon Regular at Osma, and with the religious habit he put on the Lord Jesus Christ and strove in all things to imitate Him. His time was divided into prayer, study of Holy Scripture, and community duties. Silence and retirement were his delight; works of penance and tears of contrition his meat and drink. Going in 1205 to France, he spent many years in every kind of labor for the conversion of the Albigensian heretics. Like Our Lord he passed the day in apostolic work, the night in prayer.

He was a man of truly apostolic heart, a pillar of the faith, a trumpet of the Gospel, the light of Christ to all.

Responsory
℣. The father bids the word prepare, the nuptials of the Lamb to share; The hour has struck, the Master sends, His faithful servant to His friends.
℟. Rich food of life He offers all Who come, responsive to His call.
℣. And Dominic His herald names, Who through the world the feast proclaims.
℟. Rich food of life He offers all Who come, responsive to His call.
℣. Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit:
℟. Rich food of life He offers all Who come, responsive to His call.

℣. Pray for us, O Holy Father Dominic,
℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray,

May Saint Dominic come to the help of your Church by his merits and teaching, O Lord, and may he, who was an outstanding preacher of your truth, be a devoted intercessor on our behalf. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

℣. May the divine assistance remain with
us always.

℟. Amen.

℣. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

℟. Amen.

Comment "Amen" below when you've finished! 🙏