Monday, August 29, 2016

Travelers' Prayers from the Dominican Breviary

Recently, my children went with their mother to a family resort for a few days of vacation.  This is the first trip they have been on in years, and I was concerned for their safety.  Before I dropped them off with her, the kids and I prayed a few of the antiphons from the Travelers' Prayers in the Appendix of the Dominican Breviary.

There is nothing unique to the Dominicans about the concept of these prayers.  A similar version can be found in the monastic breviary.  However, our version is tailored to our Order by including some of the wonderful antiphons, versicles/responses, and Collect prayers that invoke St. Dominic, the saints of our Order, and our Lady as our patroness.   You can download the English translation here.


It starts with "In viam pacis dirige nos Domine (Guide us Lord, in the way of peace).  After this, the Benedictus is said.  Some samples from the litany are:


Ant. Sub tuum praesidium  confugimus, sancta Dei Genitrix: nostras deprecationes ne despicias in necessitatibus, sed a periculis cunctis libera nos semper, Virgo gloriosa et benedicta.

Ant. We fly to your patronage, holy Mother of God.  Do not despise our prayers in our needs, but ever deliver us from all dangers, O blessed Virgin
Ant. Magne Pater sancte Dominice, mortis hora nos tecum suscipe, et hic semper nos pie respice.

Ant. Great father, holy Dominic, always watch lovingly over us here below, and take us up with you at the hour of our death.

Ant. Christi pia gratia Sanctos sublimavit quos Patris Dominici Ordo propagavit: nos eorum meritis petimus juvari, atque suis precibus Deo commendari.
Ant. The loving grace of Christ has raised up saints whom Father Dominic’s Order has engendered.  We ask to be added by their merits, and through their prayers to be commended to God.

V. Pie Pater Dominice, tuorum memor operum.  R. Stacoram summo Judice pro tuo coetu pauperum.

V.  Loving father, Dominic, be mindful of your works.  R. Plead before the supreme Judge for your group of poor.
Concede, quæsumus, omnipotens Deus, ut qui peccatorum nostrorum pondere premimur, beati Dominici Confessoris tui, Patris nostri, patrocinio sublevemur.
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that we who are weighed down by the burden of our sins, may be relieved through the patronage of the blessed Dominic, your confessor and our father.

Concede, quæsumus, omnipotens Deus, ut ad meliorem vita Sanctorum Ordinis nostril exempla nos provocent, quatenus quorum memoriam agimus etiam actus imitemur.
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the example of the saints of our Order may inspire us to a better life; as we venerate their memory may we copy their behavior.

So the next time you head out on a trip, take a few minutes before you leave to avail yourself of the intercession Our Lady, the angelic host, our holy father, St. Dominic, and all of the Dominican Saints and Blesseds.