Blessed Dominic of the Mother of God, born Dominic Barberi, a member of the Passionist Congregation and theologian, born near Viterbo, Italy, 22 June, 1792; died near Reading, England, 27 August, 1849. Beatified by Pope Paul VI in 1963. Also known as 'The Apostle of England'. Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... The title confessor is used in the Christian Church in two separate ways. ... is the 173rd day of the year (174th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1792 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Country Italy Region Lazio Province Viterbo (VT) Mayor Giampiero Gabbianelli Elevation 326 m Area 406,28 km² Population  - Total 60,537  - Density 148. ... August 27 is the 239th day of the year (240th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1849 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Reading is a town, unitary authority (the Borough of Reading) and urban area in the English county of Berkshire. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      The Roman Catholic Church... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Year 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Nickname: Motto: SPQR: Senatus Populusque Romanus Location of the city of Rome (yellow) within the Province of Rome (red) and region of Lazio (grey) Coordinates: Region Lazio Province Province of Rome Founded 21 April 753 BC Government  - Mayor Walter Veltroni Area  - City 1,285 km²  (580 sq mi)  - Urban 5... This article cites very few or no references or sources. ... Eastern Orthodox shrine Buddhist shrine just outside Wat Phnom. ... The calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organising a liturgical year on the level of days by associating each day with one or more saints, and referring to the day as that saints day. ... August 27 is the 239th day of the year (240th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Saint symbology was important to people who couldnt read because they can figure out what symbols mean. ... Jesu XPI Passio Passionism is also an artistic movement. ... Saint Quentin is the patron saint of locksmiths and is also invoked against coughs and sneezes. ... Image File history File links Gloriole. ... Jesu XPI Passio Passionism is also an artistic movement. ... This article cites very few or no references or sources. ...

Birth and Early Life

His parents were peasant farmers and died while Dominic was still a small boy. There were six children, and Dominic, the youngest child, was adopted by his maternal uncle, Bartolomeo Pacelli. As a boy he was employed to take care of sheep, and when he grew older he did farm work. He was taught his letters by a Capuchin priest, and learned to read from a country lad of his own age; although he read all the books he could obtain, he had no regular education until he entered the Passionists. He was deeply religious from childhood, though experienced a period, caused by reading sensual and anti-religious texts, whereby he lost all the fervour of his childhood. During this period however he still keep up his usual devotions and his former fervour returned upon the arrival of four Passionists into the area. These Passionists had been displaced from their community in accordance with Napolean's suppression of religious communities in the Papal States. Dominic befriend these Passionists and served daily Mass with them. The term capuchin can refer to: the capuchin monkeys, genus Cebus, a group of highly intelligent New World monkeys. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Passionists are a Roman Catholic religious order founded by St Paul of the Cross (Paul Francis Danei). ... For other uses, see Napoleon (disambiguation). ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

When Dominic was one of the few men of his locality not chosen for military conscription he felt it was a clear sign from God that he should enter a religious community. However, the suppression of such communities meant that Dominic would have to wait. In the meantime he discussed his vocation with the Passionists who promised him that once the Congregation was re-established they would receive him as a lay brother. During this period Dominic received an interior call which led him to believe that he was called to preach the Gospel in far off lands, later he would affirm that he had received a specific call to preach to the people of England Saint Paul of the Cross, founder of the Passionist Congregation, also had a great enthusiasm for the conversion of England.^[1]. A vocation is an occupation, either professional or voluntary, that is seen to those who carry it out as offering more than simply financial reward. ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem No official anthem - the United Kingdom anthem God Save the Queen is commonly used England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto) Unified  -  by Athelstan 927 AD  Area  -  Total 130... Saint Paul of the Cross (3 January 1694 - 18 October 1775) was an Italian mystic and founder of the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ. ...

Passionist

He was received into the Congregation of the Passion in 1814 after the re-establishment of the religious orders in the Papal States. Initially Dominic was accepted as a lay brother, but once his extraordinary gifts were revealed his status was changed to that of a clerical novice, in an extraordinary break with custom.^[2] During his studies Dominic's brilliance was an example to his fellow students, though he would often take steps to hide his intelligence. He was ordained priest on 1 March, 1818, after which was was filled with immense fervour and joy. Soon afterwards Dominic experienced a spiritual voice which told him that was to become a victim for the conversion of England. Jesu XPI Passio Passionism is also an artistic movement. ... Coat of arms Map of the Papal States; the reddish area was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy in 1860, the rest (grey) in 1870. ...

After completing the regular course of studies, he taught philosophy and theology to the students of the congregation as lector for a period of ten years, first in Sant'Angelo and then in Rome. It was during this time that he produced his many theological and philosophical works. In the summer of 1830 he was asked to aid an English convert to Catholicism, Sir Henry Trelawney, with regard to the rubrics of the Mass. Through this meeting Dominic made the acquaintance of Ignatius Spencer and other influential English Catholics, such as Ambrose Phillips^[3]. This was to be the first step in the long journey which eventually brought Blessed Dominic to England. Through his continued correspondance with these persons Dominic's hopes for England's conversion were kept alive. Rubrics are written directions for liturgical actions found in religious service and liturgical books, especially in Christianity. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Father Ignatius of St. ...

He then held in Italy the offices of rector, provincial consultor, and provincial, and fulfilled the duties of these positions with ability. At the same time he constantly gave missions and retreats, always mindful of his hopes to travel and preach in England. In 1839 the Passionist General Chapter met and discussed the possibility of making a foundation in England, however the decision was never met. Finally in January 1840 negotiations were completed with regard to a Passionist foundation at Ere in Belgium, the superiors, mindful of Dominic's singular vocation to England, in spite of his age and ill health, sent Dominic to be superior of the Belgian mission.

Foundations in Belgium and England

The first Passionist Retreat in Belgium was founded at Ere near Tournai in June 1840^[4]. On arrival in Beligum the local bishop was so unimpressed with Dominic's plebeian appearance that he was subjected to intense examination in moral theology before being allowed to hear confessions. Life in Belgium posed plent of problems for the Passionists; one of the Brothers had fallen ill, the community was in abject poverty and Dominic had few words of French. Dominic's spirit rose to the occasion and soon the community was flourishing and even Dominic enjoyed good health. In September Dominic received a letter from Bishop Wisemann, the head of the English mission, inviting Dominic to make a Passionist foundation in England at Aston Hall. Dominic, with the permission of the Passionist General, visited the site in November 1840, though Ignatius Spencer warned Dominic that the situation in England would mean this would not be a favorable time to make such a foundation. Dominic set out for England once more in October 1841 where he was greeted with stares and suspicion, not only as a Catholic priest, but for the strange garb of the Passionist habit. J. Brodrick S.J. in his work on the 'Second Spring' of Catholicism in England, says of Father Dominic's arrival; Father Ignatius of St. ...

"The second spring did not begin when Newman was converted nor when the hierarchy was restored. It began on a bleak October day of 1841, when a little Italian priest in comical attire shuffled down a ship's gangway at Folkstone."^[5] Newman is a surname, and may refer to many people: Contents: Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Al Newman Alan Newman Alec Newman Alfred Newman (1901-1970...

After many months of waiting at Oscott College, Dominic finally secured possesion of Aston Hall and so in February, 1842, after twenty-eight years of effort, he established the Passionists in England, at Aston Hall, Staffordshire. The reception of Dominic and his fellow Passionists was less than welcoming. The local Catholics feared the arrival of these newcomers would cause renewed persecutions. Dominic was also met with ridicule; his attempts to read prayers in English were met with the laughter of his congregation. The community increased in numbers and as the people of Aston grew to know Dominic they became enamoured of him and Dominic soon began to receive a steady stream of converts.^[6] A centre was also set up in neighboring Stone where Dominic would say Mass and preach to the local populace. Opposition to Dominic was also present here where on his journeys to the Mass centre local youths would throw rocks as Dominic, though two youths took to the decision to become Catholics when they were greatly edified to see Dominic kiss each rock that hit him and place it in is pocket. During many of these frequent attacks Dominic was lucky to escape death. Local Protestant ministers often held anti - Catholic lectures and sermons to ward the people away from Blessed Dominic and the Catholics. Wilson records how one of these ministers followed Dominic along a street shouting out various arguments against transsubstantiation, Dominic was silent, but as the man was about to turn off, Dominic retorted; St. ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem No official anthem - the United Kingdom anthem God Save the Queen is commonly used England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto) Unified  -  by Athelstan 927 AD  Area  -  Total 130... Staffordshire (abbreviated Staffs) is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. ... Transubstantiation (from Latin transsubstantiatio) is the change of the substance of bread and wine into that of the body and blood of Christ, the change that according to the belief of the Roman Catholic Church occurs in the Eucharist. ...

"Jesus Christ said over the consecrated elements, "This is my body" you say "No. It is not his body!" Who then am I to believe? I prefer to believe Jesus Christ."^[7]

Converts increased at Stone, so much so that a new church had to be built. It was at Aston however that on 10 June 1844 the first Corpus Christi procession was held in the British Isles, an event which attracted thousands of Catholics and Protestants alike.^[8] Dominic then began to visit other parishes and religious communities in order to preach, such 'missions' as they are called caused Dominic's reputation to become widely known in England. These missions frequently took place in the industrial cities of northern England, such as Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham. Corpus Christi Procession in Germany This article is about the Catholic feast of Corpus Christi. ... Manchester (pronounced ) is a city and metropolitan borough of Greater Manchester, England. ... Location within England Coordinates: , Sovereign state United Kingdom Constituent country England Region North West England Ceremonial county Historic county Merseyside Lancashire Admin HQ Liverpool City Centre Founded 1207 City Status 1880 Government  - Type Metropolitan borough, City  - Governing body Liverpool City Council Area  - Borough & City 43. ... Birmingham (pron. ...

Newman's Conversion

The College, Littlemore where Dominic received Newman into the Church

Whilst in Italy and latterly in Belgium, Dominic had always kept up a keen interest in the Oxford Movement. In 1841 a letter by John Dobree Dalgairns appeared in L'Univers explaining the position of the Anglican High Church party. Dominic decided to respond to this letter which he believed represented the views of the entire faculty of Oxford University (Dalgairns was an undergraduate when he had written the letter). In his 'Letter to University Professors at Oxford' Dominic describes his long hopes for the conversion of England and his belief that the men of Oxford would be instrumental in such a conversion. The letter, through the help of Ignatius Spencer eventually ended up in the hands of Dalgainrs who was residing with John Henry Newman at Littlemore. Dominic repudiated the Anglican claim that the 39 Articles could be interpreted in a Catholic light. In their continued correspondence Dalgairns and Dominic debated the Catholic position and Dalgairns requested copies of the Passionist Rule and Dominic's 'The Lament of England'. Eventually Dalgairns was received into the Catholic Church by Dominic at Aston in September 1845.^[9] Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 708 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Newmans College, Littlemore. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2048 × 1536 pixel, file size: 708 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Newmans College, Littlemore. ... The Oxford Movement was a loose affiliation of High Church Anglicans, most of them members of the University of Oxford, who sought to demonstrate that the Church of England was a direct descendant of the Christian church established by the Apostles. ... John Dobree Dalgairns (October 21, 1818 - April 6, 1876), English Roman Catholic priest, was born in Guernsey. ... LUnivers was a nineteenth century French Roman Catholic daily newspaper that took a strongly ultramontane position. ... The term Anglican describes those people and churches following the religious traditions of the Church of England, especially following the Reformation. ... High Church relates to ecclesiology and liturgy in Christian theology and practice. ... The University of Oxford, located in the city of Oxford in England, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. ... Father Ignatius of St. ... J H Newman age 23 when he preached his first sermon. ... Littlemore is a village with a parish council that also represents parts of Rose Hill. ... The Thirty-Nine Articles are the defining statements of Anglican doctrine. ...

In October of that same year Dominic visited Littlemore where Newman made his confession to him^[10] Newman relates in his Apologia of how Dominic arrived soaked from the rain and as he was drying himself by the fire Newman knelt and asked to be received into the Catholic Church^[11]. This event is marked by a sculpture in the Catholic Church of Blessed Dominic Barberi at Littlemore. Two of Newman's companions at Littlemore were also received and Dominic celebrated Mass for them the following morning. Newman and Dominic always afterward followed each others careers.

Further Work and Death

Window from Blessed Dominic's Shrine

The community at Aston had reached fifteen religious and in 1846 a new foundation was made at Woodchester in Gloucestershire and in 1848 the Passionists arrived in London. In the last years of his life Dominic engaged in negotiations for the foundation of St. Anne's Retreat, Sutton where today he lies buried. In 1847 The Honorable George Spencer, Dominic's long standing friend was received into the Congregation of the Passion^[12] Throughout this time Dominic fulfilled his duties in preaching missions and heading the English and Belgian foundations. The number of his converts during this time is immeasurable. One story told of Dominic during this time that expresses his joyful sense of humour is that once he was visiting a convent of nuns who were instructing many converts, some of them male. Dominic was informed that some of the sisters were worried about teaching men, Dominic retorted Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Gloucestershire (pronounced ; GLOSS-ter-sher) is a county in South West England. ... Father Ignatius of St. ...

"Have no fear, Sisters. You are all too old and too ugly."^[13]

The Sisters appreciated Dominic's humour so much that they recored the incident in their archives. All such work inevitably took its toll upon Father Dominic's health and from 1847 he insisted that his life had nearly run its course. He had preached numerous retreats, both alone and with Father Ignatius, both in England and Ireland. On 27th August 1849 Dominic was travelling from London to Woodchester when, at Pangbourne, he suffered a heart attack. On being taken to the Railway Tavern at Reading (now the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel) he died after being given absolution. Reading is a town, unitary authority (the Borough of Reading) and urban area in the English county of Berkshire. ...

Beatification and Legacy

Dominic was beatified by Pope Paul VI in 1963, during the Second Vatican Council. On his visit to England in 1982 Pope John Paul II described Blessed Dominic as This article cites very few or no references or sources. ... The Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, or Vatican II, was an Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church opened under Pope John XXIII in 1962 and closed under Pope Paul VI in 1965. ... Coat of Arms of Pope John Paul II. The Letter M is for Mary, the mother of Jesus, to whom he held strong devotion Pope John Paul II (Latin: , Italian: Giovanni Paolo II, Polish: Jan PaweÅ‚ II) born   [] (May 18, 1920, Wadowice, Poland – April 2, 2005, Vatican City) reigned as...

"One example of the countless other priests who continue to serve as models of holiness for the clergy of today."[1]

Dominic is best remembered for his part in Newman's conversion, but is also commemorated for his exhausting work in the efforts to return England to the Catholic faith in the nineteenth century. such was Dominic's work in England that Cardinal Bourne said of him in 1926

"Of all the preachers of the divine word who have worked for the salvation of souls in England there is no one to whom we are more indebted than the Servant of God, Dominic Barberi. I should consider myself happy if I had the power to dedicate this whole diocese to his care and protection and be allowed to honour him as our Patron and Protector in England^[14]"

In his short years in England Dominic established three churches, several chapels and preached innumerable missions and received hundreds of converts, not only Newman, but others such as Spencer and Dalgairns. Dominic now lies at rest with Father Ignatius and Mother Mary Prout (whom Dominic had received into the Church and who founded the sisters of the Cross and Passion) in the Shrine Church of Saint Anne and Blessed Dominic in Sutton, St. Helens. In life the last time the three had been together was at the church of St. Chad's in Manchester.

Literary Works

Among Father Dominic's works are: courses of philosophy and moral theology; a volume on the Passion of Our Lord; a work for nuns on the Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin, "Divina Paraninfa"; a refutation of de Lamennais; three series of sermons; various controversial and ascetical works. In 1841 he addressed a Latin letter to the professors of Oxford in which he answered the objections and explained the difficulties of Anglicans. One of Blessed Dominic's most famed works was his 'Lament of England' whereby he used the words of the Prophet Jeremiah to express the lamentations of English Catholics. The figure of Jeremiah on the Sistine Chapel ceiling, by Michelangelo. ...

Further Reading

External Links

• Shrine of Blessed Dominic
• Patron Saints Index Article
• Catholic Encyclopedia Article
• Great Passionists in History

References