St. Dominic of Silos is the patron saint of pregnant women, prisoners, and shepherds. He was born in Spain in the eleventh century and took to shepherding during his childhood. As he grew up, the silence and solitude that had slowly become a part of him attracted this saintly young man to monastic life. He entered the Benedictine monastery at San Millán de La Cogolla. Here, he grew in holiness and grace. He was eventually elected abbot, but this was challenged by King Garcia III of Navarre when Dominic refused to surrender the monastery's lands to the crown. He was exiled and sought the aid of King Ferdinand I of Castile and Leon, who made him abbot of St. Sebastian Abbey, which was then in great disrepair. With an inspiring trust in God that filled him with extraordinary grace, the saint restored the monastery in shape and spirit. Now known as St. Dominic's, this monastery is famous across Spain. And so is the saint, beloved to the people of Spain, especially because, centuries later, it was through the saint's intercession that St. Dominic Guzman, who founded the Dominican order, was born.
St. Dominic of Silos, patron saint of shepherds, pray for all our priests to be faithful shepherds to their flock.
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