The ancient Dominican tradition of the Bread of St. Dominic was renewed yesterday in Birgu during the concelebrated Mass marking the liturgical feast of St. Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers.
Following the homily, the Prior of the Dominican community, Fr. Aaron Zahra OP, led the traditional blessing of the bread of St. Dominic, continuing a devotion deeply rooted in the history and spirituality of the Order of Preachers.
The tradition recalls a miracle attributed to St. Dominic in Rome. According to Dominican tradition, while St. Dominic and his brethren were at the convent of St. Sixtus in Rome, there was no bread available for the community to eat. The friars gathered in prayer, placing their trust in Divine Providence. During their prayer, two men dressed in white appeared carrying baskets filled with bread, which they distributed among the brethren.
The event became an important testimony to the faith and confidence in Divine Providence that characterised the life and ministry of St. Dominic. Over the centuries, the blessing and distribution of the Bread of St. Dominic became an enduring tradition within the Order of Preachers.
Following yesterday’s Mass, the blessed bread was distributed to those who had gathered to participate in the celebration, allowing the faithful to take part in this centuries-old Dominican tradition.
