Blessed Dominic Spadafora, Friar and Priest

3 OCTOBER 2009. Today we celebrate the feast day of Father Dominic Spadafora, who was beatified by Pope Benedict XV in 1921.

From the Dominican supplement to the breviary we read the following:

Born at Randazzo in Sicily about the year 1450, Dominic Spadafora received the habit at the priory of St. Zita at Palermo and became a zealous preacher of the Word in Sicily and throughout Italy. He had a special devotion to the passion of our Lord and by his charity and humility converted many to the Lord, even attracting some to the Order. He founded the priory of Our Lady of Grace in Monte Cerignone, Sicily, where he remained as superior until his death on December 21, 1521. This commemoration recalls the date of the translation of his remains in 1677.

Tradition tells that Blessed Dominic revealed to his community that he knew he was about to die, and attended all the religious exercises of the community that day up to the hour of his death. We are told that Blessed Dominic died as every Dominican hopes, with his community around him, singing the "Salve Regina."

What we learn from Blessed Dominic is that there is extraordinary graces that come from living an ordinary life very well. Father Dominic Spadafora is an obscure figure in the history of the Church, but he was beatified and remains venerated because he went about his daily life with such devotion and great love for Christ. How well all of us can learn from such a man.

Blessed Dominic Spadafora, pray for us!

Prayer

God of truth,
in Blessed Dominic you made the apostolate
marvelously fruitful through his constant zeal and prayer
and the observance of regular life.
By following his footsteps
may we be worthy to receive the abundant fruits of salvation.
We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.