August Drinking Companion
This month I figured I would write about a saint, who’s tomb I visited in Bologna, Italy. In addition his patronage was over my mother’s parish where I developed the coffee concept and had my first tasting. I served 100 people in a little over an hour on Holy Thursday aka The Last Supper. I like to say it’s the day we see Jesus who previously made water into wine, and then wine into His physical presence. In that same breathe I say it’s the day I first made water into coffee for others and coffee into His presence, since it was a church event on this special day. Most of all it’s the dog of St. Dominic which is representative in my logo.
When I was designing the logo with my new friend Carmel who took my thoughts and made them a reality, I felt what traveler doesn’t have a companion. My original inspiration in “The Alchemist” had his sheep, so I figured I’d have my dog, with the symbolic torch. The torch is representative of the fire of the Holy Spirit, which Dominic’s mom had a dream of before he was born. It was the image of a dog running throughout the world, lighting it on fire. That dream would later represent the renewal of faith St. Dominic took part of during the time of St. Francis of Assisi, who was a friend of his.
St. Dominic, founder of The Dominican Order of Preachers, chose the name, in reference to his mother’s dream. In Latin, it was Domini Canes, Dogs of the Lord/God. His order, along with the later formed Franciscans chose lives of poverty, to serve the world of their times, combating heresies and the crusades. Their founding would have a ripple effect until this day. In the case of the Dominicans, they continue to live out their charisms of teaching, which they are most well known for. In addition to this, Dominic is known for the rosary which was inspired by an encounter with Our Lady, Mother Mary of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Now day’s people wear this prayer instrument unknowingly as a jewelry piece, sadly sometimes as a gang affiliation. This is our American history though. I believe the KKK did similar things in choosing their outfits (this is my personal speculation due to their bigotry and history towards Catholics, would love more info if anyone knows more). Little do they know it’s a Catholic prayer instrument.
Early in my return to faith I would ignorantly ask people if they were Catholic unknowing of this at the time. Now days I enjoy sharing with people it’s one of the most powerful prayer instruments and more than a simple piece of jewelry. In addition many people misunderstand this prayer. The purpose of it is to reflect on the mysteries surrounding Jesus Christ’s life. We have the Joyful mysteries which reflect on His birth, then the Sorrowful which reflect on His Passion and Sacrifice, then we have the Glorious mysteries which focus on the Resurrection and life after. Most recently St. John Paul II added the Luminous mysteries which focus on Jesus’ miracles. In addition we pray for Mary’s intercession as we do with all the witness’ in God’s presence, aka saints (Hebrews 12:1). They are very much alive and assisting us on our pilgrimage home, teaching us perseverance. The greatest prayer of the rosary is the Our Father, where we are asking for our will to be united to His will, which in essence brings heaven on earth. Continued Blessings.
The tomb of St. Dominic in Bologna, Italy.