THE FAITHFUL should see the Rosary not merely as a repetitive prayer but as a source of grace that reminds the faithful of their God-given dignity, Fr. Rudolf Seño, O.P. said during the opening Mass of the triduum in honor of St. Dominic de Guzman on Aug. 5 at the Santísimo Rosario Parish.
In his homily, the assistant director for UST Hospital’s pastoral services urged the faithful to entrust themselves to God through prayer rather than rely solely on their own abilities.
“God does not want you to beg for scraps under the table. He invites you directly to feast at the sacred banquet of His love,” he said.
Reflecting on the Gospel account of the Canaanite woman, Seño said Jesus’ comparison of the woman to a house dog was not intended as an insult but as a lesson that human strength alone is insufficient.
He also cited Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical Magnifica humanitas, saying a person’s worth is rooted not in achievements or productivity but in the dignity bestowed by God.
“Your true value does not come from your grades, your work output, or your success. You are not a machine built only to make results. God gives you a magnificent, sacred dignity,” he said.
Seño also referred to the Dominican tradition associated with the Latin phrase “Domini canes,” or “dogs of the Lord,” symbolizing preachers who carry the light of truth to the world.
“Unlike a dog begging for scraps under a worldly table, a hound of the Lord runs through the world with a blazing torch of truth and love,” he told the faithful.
Seño said St. Dominic realized that preaching could not bear fruit through talent alone, emphasizing instead the Rosary as a means of deepening one’s relationship with God.
“The Rosary is not just repeating words. It is a quiet space to step away from school and stress. When you pray it, you stop begging the world for scraps. You let God fill your heart with His grace,” he said.
He encouraged the faithful to turn to the Rosary whenever the demands of work or study become overwhelming.
“When your daily work feels too heavy, do not rely on your own strength alone… Pick up the Rosary, let God fill your life with grace, and become a hound of the Lord who sets the world on fire with truth.”
The triduum precedes the Aug. 8 solemnity of St. Dominic de Guzman, founder of the Order of Preachers, who, according to Dominican tradition, received the Rosary from the Blessed Virgin Mary. Bruce L. Buenaventura
