Category: MORNING Prayers

Our Morning Offering – 18 September – The Memorial of St Juan Macias O.P. (1585-1645)

Note:  I am a Lay Dominican so I should be signing Anastpaul O.P. 

Breaking (down) The Habit

For the past 800 years, Dominican Friars (and Sisters, of course) have donned the white habit, the familiar robes, the brand unique of the Order of Preachers.   Each day whilst dressing, they quietly recite prayers as they do so.   This is a glimpse into a rarely seen Dominican ritual.

First is the tunic, a long white cotton/wool robe worn over any set of plain clothes.

Clothe me, O Lord, with the garments of salvation.   By Your grace may I keep them pure and spotless, so that clothed in white, I may be worthy to walk with You in the Kingdom of God. Amen.

The cincture is a belt, generally black leather, simple.

Gird me, O Lord, with the cincture of justice and the cord of purity that I may unite the affections of my heart in the love of You alone. Amen.

Over the belt, a 10-15 decade rosary, in adoration for Mary Magdalene.   Worn on the left hip because that was wear soldiers wore their weapons in 1216 when St Dominic founded the Order of Preachers, saying, “Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword;  wear humility rather than fine clothes”.

O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant we beseech Thee, that meditating upon the mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ our Lord, Amen.

The scapular is akin to a large white poncho, a long vest without sleeves.

Show yourself a mother, He will hear your pleading whom your womb has sheltered and whose hand brings healing.

A white capuce looks like the original hoody but only comes down past the shoulders to a point between the arm pit and the elbow.

Lord, You have set your sign upon my head that I should admit no lover but you. Amen.

The sixth layer is a black cappa, a cape of sorts.

We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God, do not despise our prayers in our necessity, but free us from all peril, O Blessed Virgin. Amen.

The black capuce is the seventh and final layer.   It is generally only worn for formal occasions.

Heavenly Father, Who were with Your great servants Moses and Joshua and used them to bring Your children out of bondage, fill us with that same grace that we may preach Your word boldly and with authority for the deliverance of those under the bondages of sin.   We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Dominican Prayer whilst donning the Habit

Clothe me, O Lord, with the garments of salvation.
By Your grace. may I keep them pure and spotless,
so that clothed in white,
I may be worthy to walk with You in the Kingdom of God
Gird me, O Lord, with the cincture of justice
and the cord of purity,
that I may unite the affections of my heart
in the love of You alone.
O God, whose only-begotten Son,
by His life, death and resurrection,
has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life,
grant we beseech Thee,
that meditating upon the mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate
what they contain and obtain what they promise,
through the same Christ our Lord
Show yourself a mother,
He will hear your pleading whom your womb
has sheltered and whose hand brings healing.
Lord, You have set Your sign upon my head
that I should admit no lover but You.
We fly to Your patronage, O Holy Mother of God,
do not despise our prayers in our necessity
but free us from all peril, O Blessed Virgin.
Heavenly Father,
Who were with Your great servants Moses and Joshua
and used them to bring Your children out of bondage,
fill us with that same grace,
that we may preach Your word boldly
and with authority for the deliverance of those
under the bondages of sin.
We ask this through Christ our Lord,
Amen.