Catholic Family Devotions

Understanding the Day

Season

Time After Pentecost

Week

Week 10 of Time After Pentecost

Rank

Major feast

St. Dominic the Confessor falls in the Time after Pentecost, the long liturgical season focused on the growth of the Church and the Christian life after the coming of the Holy Spirit. This is a movable season that follows Pentecost and extends through Ordinary weeks of growth in faith and charity. The celebration is ranked a Greater Double: in plain language, that means it is an important feast with its own proper prayers and readings, given precedence over ordinary weekdays but not as solemn as a feast of the Lord or a principal patronal solemnity. No octave or vigil is indicated here, so the observance is celebrated on the single appointed day without an eight-day extension.

Introit (Daily Prayer)

Ps 36:30-31
The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart. (Alléluia, alléluia.)
Ps 36:1
Be not vexed over evildoers, nor jealous of those who do wrong.
Glory Be to the Father…

O God, Who graciously enlightened Your Church by the good works and teaching of St. Dominic, Your Confessor, grant by his intercession, that she may never be deprived of temporal helps and may ever advance in spiritual growth.
Through our Lord…

Weekly Prayer

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.

O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

Weekly Formation

Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving

Three Eminent Good Works to Overcome Our Sinfulness

Prayer
Prayer raises the mind and heart to God in adoration, thanksgiving, repentance, and petition. As a work of penance it turns the sinner back toward God, acknowledges dependence on grace, and joins personal needs to the honor owed to Him.
Fasting
Fasting is the willing restraint of food or other lawful satisfactions for a spiritual purpose. It disciplines bodily appetite, expresses sorrow for sin, and strengthens prayer when practiced with humility rather than display.
Almsgiving
Almsgiving is the gift of money, goods, time, or practical assistance to those in need or to works of charity. It makes repentance fruitful in mercy, loosens attachment to possessions, and recognizes Christ’s claim in the poor.

Saint & Feast

Principal celebration

Dominic

St. Dominic the Confessor

founder of the Dominican Order (1170–1221)

Born: 1170-08-08 · Caleruega
Died: 1221-08-06 · Bologna

Saint Dominic,, also known as Dominic de Guzmán, was a Castilian Catholic priest and the founder of the Dominican Order. He is the patron saint of astronomers and natural scientists, and he and his order are traditionally credited with spreading and popularizing the rosary.

Learn more about Dominic

Today in Church History

Election of Pope Pius X
1903Papal
On August 4, 1903, Giuseppe Sarto was elected as Pope Pius X. His papacy is noted for encouraging frequent communion and initiating liturgical reforms.
Pope Pius X's emphasis on the Eucharist invites us to deepen our devotion to this sacrament.

Catechism

Catechism of the Catholic Church

In the Catechism, we learn that God created each person with reason, will, and the dignity to initiate and control his or her own actions. Freedom allows us to make deliberate choices that shape our lives, and it reaches its fullness when directed toward God, our ultimate good and blessedness. This freedom includes the possibility of choosing good or evil: doing good makes us freer, while choosing evil misuses freedom and can lead to slavery to sin. Because voluntary actions carry responsibility, we are called to grow in virtue, knowledge of the good, and self-mastery. In our relationships with others, we should recognize and respect every person as free and responsible, honoring the dignity God has given each one.

The Catechism teaches that while human freedom is a gift from God, it is often misused, leading to sin and alienation from Him and one another (CCC 1739-1740). True freedom is not the license to act without restraint but is found in living according to God's moral law, which nurtures our dignity and relationships (CCC 1741-1742). Through Christ’s sacrifice, we are liberated from sin, and the Holy Spirit guides us toward genuine freedom and spiritual growth (CCC 1743-1744). Families can reflect on these teachings by fostering an environment where freedom is exercised responsibly, promoting love and charity, and encouraging each member to seek God’s truth and grace in their daily lives (CCC 1745-1748).

¶ 1735

Today's Mass Readings

Open the day's Sancta MissaDivinum Officium · Divino Afflatu - 1954View readings