Haec dies quam fecit Dominus!

The Coetus who will vote on whether or not I am to be admitted as a Novice in the English Dominican Province will meet Today. I expect to hear from them later tonight or tomorrow morning, so I will have news to post then. However, bright and early this morning, as I await their decision and the Lord's, I just want to ask you all to please pray for me and with me.

Today, June 8, is also the Memorial of Blessed Diana and Blessed Cecilia, nuns of the Order of Preachers who knew St Dominic personally. Bl Diana was a friend of Bl Jordan of Saxony, the successor of St Dominic and Second Master of the Order. The Letters between Bl Diana and Bl Jordan are a splendid testament to the spirituality of the Dominican family and to the association of brothers and sisters within the Dominican family. To Bl Cecilia we are indebted for our only description of the physical appearance of Dominic. She was attracted by the reforming programme of St Dominic and was the first to enter the new monastery of San Sisto in Rome and make profession to the Founder. Later, she was one of the nuns sent to help the foundation in Bologna, where she became Prioress c. 1237. Their memorials are particular to the Dominican calendar. Mention is also made of Blessed Amata who was buried with the other two and she is also remembered today, although very little is known of her. It is said that St Dominic named her 'Amata', meaning 'beloved'. I hope that he will call me such Today too!

Today too, the Church in England celebrates a special Memorial: St William, Archbishop of York. He died there in 1134 and was buried in the cathedral of that ancient city. There is a legend that the crowds thronged to welcome St William into the city of York and there were so many on the wooden bridge which he crossed to enter the city that it collapsed under their weight. Miraculously no one drowned in the river Ouse and this was the first of many signs taken as evidence of his sanctity!

To these beati and saints of the Order of Preachers and the English Church, I commend myself and ask their prayers on this day, as I hope to be admitted into the Order and to serve in this particular Church.

And of course, how can I not have recourse to Our Lady of Guadalupe, who has long kept me under the protection of her mantle and guides my steps as once she guided the Christ Child's? She is depicted above in stained glass, a photo from the Votivkirche in Vienna. I cling to her as a child to a loving Mother and in the times when I am tempted to feel over-anxious, I am reminded again of the words she spoke to San Juan Diego in 1531:

"Listen and let it penetrate your heart... do not be troubled or weighed down with grief. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing or my arms? Is there anything else you need?"

May these words ring in my heart today and every day of my life, as I continue on my journey to praise, to bless and to preach Christ Jesus.