|
Also known as: Domingo of
Silos
Profile
Born to a peasant family, he worked as a shepherd in his youth.
Benedictine monk at San Millán de Cogolla monastery. Priest. Novice
master. Prior of the house. Ordered by King Garcia III of Navarre to give
him the monastery's lands, Dominic refused, and with two of his brother
monks was driven from the house by force.
They sought protection from King Ferdinand I of Old Castile. They found a
new home in the San Sebastian monastery at Silos, diocese of Burgos where
Dominic was appointed abbot. Founded in 954, the house had fallen on hard
times, had only six monks, and was in terrible shape physically,
financially and spiritually. He turned around the house's spiritual life,
straightened out its finances, rebuilt its structure. The house was soon a
spiritual center noted for book design, printed art, its gold and silver
work, and charity to the local poor. The rebuilt abbey cloisters survive
to today, and are considered a great architectural treasure. Reported to
heal by prayer. He got wealthy patrons to endow the monastery, and raised
funds to ransom Christians taken prisoner by the Moors.
One of the most beloved of Spanish saints, there were churches and
monasteries dedicated to him as early as 1085, and the monastery he
rebuilt is now known as Saint Dominic's. Many miracles were attributed to
him after his death, especially with regard to pregnancy. Dominic's
abbatial staff was used to bless Spanish queens and was kept by their beds
when they were in labor. Blessed Joan de Aza de Guzmán prayed at his
shrine to conceive the child whom she called Dominic, after the abbot of
Silos, and who founded the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans).
Born: 1000 in Cañas (modern Rioja), Navarre, Spain
Died: 10 December 1073 in Silos of natural causes; on 5 January 1076
his body was translated to the monastery church for veneration
Patronage: against hydrophobia, against insects, against mad dogs,
against rabies, captives, prisoners, shepherds
Representation: abbot surrounded by the Seven Virtues; mitered abbot
enthroned with a book, a veil tied to his crosier.
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintd54.htm
|
