A few weeks ago, I had the joy of showing my parents around the National Shrine in Washington. From my time as a tour guide, I had memorized a good course through the massive church’s chapels. I had honed plenty of phrases to explain the Basilica’s art with some level of edification and efficiency.
As usual, we concluded in the Shrine’s chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, which features a large statue of St. Dominic flanked by the shield of the Order. For most tour groups, this serves as a good opportunity to speak about the Dominican Order, why I am dressed in the habit, and what we do as Dominicans—a nice pithy, personal touch to an hour-long visit.
With my parents though, I was a bit stuck. Naturally, they have heard an awful lot more about the Order of Preachers than most. My dad looked towards the mighty statue of St. Dominic and asked me a question—one which surprisingly I had not been asked before—“Why is Dominic pointing up?” All my usual edifying answers were gone. “Well,” I said, “I think it’s Dominic during a sermon. . .” I thought for a moment, then I un-poetically said, “He’s pointing to God!”
Later that week, I thought about my dad’s question and my answer. I thought about the artist’s decision to depict Dominic pointing. I thought about the verticality of that altar—and about how even the Order’s shield itself is really just a huge, white arrow pointing upwards. I began to think that the point communicates a point about St. Dominic’s mission as a preacher and founder.
When we point the way, we point to what we know. Imagine if you were on a hike and came across a man who looked hopelessly lost. As you share your water with him, he asks in desperation, “What’s the way back to civilization?” Perhaps you yourself don’t know. You could either point in a random direction (cruel) or admit your ignorance (ouch). But, if you did know, you would point the way, and that way would be lifesaving.
Before St. Dominic first preached, he prayed. He was formed as a preacher of grace by his sacred study and tireless pursuit of Jesus. The goal of contemplation is to grow in friendship with God—to see the face of Christ and ask for his healing. St. Dominic, through the ministry of the Church and the Sacraments, found God. He knows the way to God, and so he points.
As Christians, we are on the way to God. The small stresses and distractions of daily life can obscure the way to what matters most. One of St. Dominic’s titles is Doctor Veritatis: Teacher of Truth. He is the model preacher—telling all who are willing to listen that the Way is Jesus Christ. Through the intercession of St. Dominic, we may find the way to heaven. One day, with Dominic, we might even learn to point the way for others.
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Image: St. Dominic Altar from Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, Br. Barnabas Wilson, O.P. (used with permission)
