Today we Dominicans celebrate the feast of all the saints of the Order of Preachers, and tomorrow we remember all the souls of the Order. One of the few recorded lines of St. Dominic is beloved among the brothers and sisters of the order. It is his deathbed promise: “Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death and I shall help you then more effectively than during my life.” Almost eight hundred years and perhaps hundreds of thousands of professed Dominicans later, our Holy Father Dominic’s promise continues to make good.
During my three brief years in the Order of Preachers, I have often thought about the brothers and sisters who have come before me: the famous, the unknown, and those now gone that I have known personally. For those who are now in the church triumphant, I am confident they know our names, our stories, and our current activity for the salvation of souls as the church militant here on earth.
But don’t trust my opinion – trust my big brother’s, the angelic doctor Thomas Aquinas, as he says in his response to the question “Whether the Saints Have Knowledge of our Prayers?”
Now it pertains to [the saints’] glory that they assist the needy for their salvation: for thus they become God’s co-operators… Wherefore it is evident that the saints are cognizant of such things as are required for this purpose; and so it is manifest that they know in the Word the vows, devotions, and prayers of those who have recourse to their assistance.
Amen! All Dominican Saints, Pray for us!
