Aug 8 – Memorial for St. Dominic, priest, religious founder
Dominic (1170-1221) was born of wealthy Spanish nobility and was the son of Blessed Joan of Aza. Joan had difficulty conceiving and prayed at the shrine of St. Dominic of Silos, who had a tradition of patronage of that problem. When she became pregnant, she named the child in honour of the saint. While pregnant, Joan had a vision that her unborn child was a dog who would set the world on fire with a torch it carried in its mouth. A dog with a torch in its mouth became a symbol for the Order he founded, the Dominicans. At Dominic’s baptism, Joan saw a star shining from his chest, which became another of his symbols in art, and led to his patronage of astronomy.
Dominic was a priest who worked for clerical reform. He had a life-long apostolate among heretics, especially Albigensians, and especially in France. He founded the Order of Friars Preachers (Dominicans) in 1215, a group who lived a simple, austere life. He also founded an order of nuns dedicated to the care of young girls.
At one point, Dominic became discouraged at the progress of his mission; no matter how much he worked, heresies remained. But he received a vision from Our Lady, who showed him a wreath of roses, representing the rosary. She told him to say the rosary daily, teach it to all who would listen, and eventually the true faith would win out. Dominic is often credited with the invention of the rosary; it actually pre-dates him, but he certainly spread devotion to it, and used it to strengthen his own spiritual life.
Legend says that Dominic received a vision of a beggar who, like Dominic, would do great things for the faith. Dominic met the beggar the next day. He embraced him and said, “You are my companion and must walk with me. If we hold together, no earthly power can withstand us.” The beggar was St. Francis of Assisi.
- Patron Saint Index
Hab 1:12-2:4
Mt 17:14-20
“…if your faith were the size of a mustard seed…nothing would be impossible for you.”
Brothers and sisters, it does not take much. That is what Jesus tells us. Just a mustard seed. Just enough faith to say to a mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will obey. Nothing will be impossible for you.
Yet on most days, it does not feel that way. Faith — even the size of a mustard seed, can feel elusive. Buried beneath fear, fatigue, or uncertainty, it often seems just out of reach.
Perhaps what brings it into view is something closer to home. Picture a child learning to walk. Not a confident run. Not even a steady stride. Just one small, uncertain step, the kind where the child teeters between falling and trusting, arms reaching out, eyes fixed on a parent only a few steps away. There is something sacred in that moment. Not because the child is strong or sure, but because the trust is real. The child moves not from certainty, but from relationship. Not from understanding, but from the assurance of who is waiting.
That is faith. Not having everything figured out. Not eliminating all doubt. But taking one step toward God, even without knowing how it will end.
In today’s Gospel, a father kneels before Jesus, pleading for the healing of his son. The disciples had tried and failed. Jesus responds, “You have so little faith.” These are not words of condemnation, but of invitation; a reminder that even the smallest seed of genuine faith can open the door to the impossible.
It is a truth we often forget — we may have little faith, but we have a big God. And that makes all the difference. The question is not, “Do I have enough faith?” Rather it is, “Am I willing to take the next step toward Him?” To pray again, even when I feel my prayers are unanswered. To hope again, even after heartbreak and disappointment. To trust that His arms are open, steady, and near.
For faith is not about the size of one’s strength. It is about the direction of one’s heart. And one small, imperfect step may be all it takes to begin moving the mountain.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Stacey Fernandez)
Prayer: Lord, give me the grace to take the next step toward You. Even when I feel uncertain, help me to trust that You are near. May my faith, however small, be real, and may it always move in Your direction.
Thanksgiving: Thank You, Lord, for meeting me in my weakness. Even when my steps are unsteady, You remain faithful. Amen.
OXYGEN 
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