Stained glass window from St. Dominic’s Church in Washington, D.C. Photo by Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P.
Dominic was one of the few of Christ’s servants graced with the special charism of healing, and many healing miracles were attributed to his intercession. While in Rome, Dominic often preached at the church of St. Mark, where he drew enthusiastic crowds of people from all ranks of life. Among those who came to hear him was Gutadona, a widow. One day, rather than miss Dominic’s preaching, she came to the church, leaving her only son at home dangerously ill. On her return she found that he had died. With her servants she carried the child’s lifeless body back to St. Mark’s and sought out Dominic. Dominic touched the child and raised him to life. As Christ had done, he told the woman not to tell anyone about the incident, but, as with those whom Christ had healed, the news spread rapidly. According to tradition, the story reached Honorius III, who ordered it to be announced from the pulpits of the city. Dominic implored him to rescind the order, saying that his sense of true humility would force him to leave the country. The pope, however, remained steadfast and commanded Dominic to accept the people’s veneration.
The above excerpt is from Reflections of Dominican Spirituality: The Windows of St. Dominic Church, Washington, D.C. by Dr. Mary Moran.
