vendredi 2 juin 2017

Bienheureux SADOC et ses compagnons, missionnaires dominicains et martyrs

Le bienheureux Sadoc et ses compagnons dominicains

Égliset des dominicains de Sandomierz en Pologne


Bienheureux Sadoc et ses compagnons

Martyrs en Pologne ( 1259)

Sadoc était peut-être originaire d'Hongrie et amené à l'ordre des dominicains par saint Dominique qui l'aurait envoyé en Hongrie avec un groupe de missionnaires dominicains puis il serait allé en Pologne où il fonda une maison dominicaine à Sadomir en 1260 et en fut le prieur. La ville fut pillée par les mongols qui l'envahirent et Sadoc et plusieurs autres frères furent assassinés chantant le Salve Regina. Culte confirmé par Pie VII en 1807.

Commémoraison des bienheureux martyrs Sadoc, prêtre, et ses quarante-huit compagnons, de l’Ordre des Prêcheurs, qui, dit-on, furent massacrés par les Tartares à Sandomir sur la Vistule, en Pologne, l’an 1259, alors qu’ils chantaient le Salve Regina.


Martyrologe romain




Sadoc et ses Compagnons

Martyrs, Saints

† 1260

Cette notice n’est pas à proprement parler une biographie, même succincte, du bienheureux Sadoc, religieux dominicain des tout premiers débuts de cet Ordre. A notre époque de diffusion vertigineuse de l’Islam, il est bon que les Chrétiens sachent ce qui pourrait les attendre de la part de ces peuplades païennes qui n’ont cessé depuis des siècles de combattre vainement les rangs chrétiens de toutes régions.
Ce que ne savent pas ces peuplades, en revanche, c’est que tous ces martyrs sont en réalité la source de nombreux fidèles qui viennent ainsi renforcer les rangs de l’Eglise pour évangéliser avec une vigueur nouvelle les hommes qui ne connaissent pas encore Jésus-Christ, notre Sauveur.
Sanguis Martyrum semen Christianorum : le Sang des Martyrs est une semence de Chrétiens.

Sadoc, donc, était un des premiers compagnons de saint Dominique qui, au chapitre général de l’ordre, tenu à Bologne en 1221, le désigna pour aller prêcher en Hongrie. Il était peut-être lui-même hongrois.
A son arrivée dans ce pays, il vit, la nuit, une foule de démons qui lui criaient avec rage : “Tu viens ici pour nous chasser !” Et comme Sadoc avait pour tout bataillon trois novices fort jeunes : “C’est avec ces gamins que tu nous rosses !”
Il passa plusieurs années en Hongrie, puis fut placé à la tête du couvent fondé depuis peu par saint Hyacinthe1 à Sandomierz, ville du palatinat de Kielce, entre Cracovie et Varsovie, au sud-est de la Pologne. Au moment de l’invasion des Tartares, Sadoc est prieur de quarante-huit religieux. La veille de l’irruption des Tartares, le lecteur du Martyrologe annonça : “A Sandomierz, la passion de quarante-neuf martyrs.” Ces mots étaient calligraphiés en lettres d’or sur ce livre par une main inconnue.
Les frères prêcheurs se préparèrent à mourir. Les Tartares envahirent leur couvent le soir; c’était l’heure paisible où, à la fin du chant de l’office, les moines élèvent une ultime salutation à Notre Dame, le Salve Regina.
Tandis qu’on les égorgeait, les frères chantaient le Salve Regina. Ils chantèrent véritablement jusqu’à leur dernier souffle.
Les envahisseurs avaient déjà sévi dans cette région de Sandomierz vingt ans auparavant ; leurs forces étaient certainement nombreuses et victorieuses, mais la vraie victoire était celle des fidèles religieux qui sont maintenant dans la gloire de Dieu.
Le pape Alexandre IV autorisa immédiatement le culte de ces martyrs pour Sandomierz, lequel culte fut étendu à tout l’ordre dominicain au XIXe siècle.
Le Martyrologe les commémore le 2 juin.
1 fêté le 15 août.


Blessed Sadoc and Companions MM (AC)

Died 1260; second feast day on May 5. Saint Dominic's dreams of converting the Tartars found realization in his sons. Missionaries did, in fact, go to the North during his lifetime, and many more were sent out by Blessed Jordan of Saxony. The more settled tribes of Poland and Hungary readily accepted the Gospel, and the North was not long in blooming with Dominican convents. But, in the 13th century, the restless millions of the East were riding down upon the fertile plains of Central Europe. Wild Tartar tribes soon destroyed what had been done for their more peaceful relatives, and scarcely a missionary survived to preach his message of peace to them.


Paul of Hungary and his band of 90 died as martyrs, probably in 1241. They were popularly honored as saints early. Soon to follow was the group headed by Blessed Sadoc, which had its headquarters at Sandomir, Poland. So tragic was the early history of the Dominicans in Poland that, even in that martyred country, it is remembered: Polish Dominicans today wear a red cincture to recall the martyred hundreds who shed their blood that Poland might receive the light of faith.

Blessed Sadoc was a student at the University of Bologna when he met Saint Dominic and was received into the order. Being a Slav himself, he was eager to go to the North to preach the word of God. This he was given a chance to do when he and Paul of Hungary were placed in charge of the northern mission band.

Sadoc soon accumulated a number of eager young students and novices, and proceeded to Poland with them. On his first night in the mission field, the devil appeared to Sadoc and reproached him for disturbing his work: "And with such children as these," he said bitterly, pointing to the young novices. With such as these, Sadoc did make havoc with the kingdom of evil: He won many souls to God, and, in the monastery of Sandomir which he founded, Sadoc soon had the satisfaction of seeing a large community working for the glory of God.

In 1260, the Tartars made a fresh invasion into Poland and attacked Sandomir. Blessed Sadoc and his community had assembled for midnight Matins when they received warning of their approaching death. A novice reading the martyrology for the following day, was amazed to see, lettered in gold across the pages of the martyrology, the words: "At Sandomir, the passion of 49 martyrs." On investigation, it was discovered that it was not merely a novice's mistake, but an actual warning that they understood came from heaven.

They spent the day in preparation for death. During the singing of the "Salve Regina," after Compline, the Tartars broke into the church and the slaughter began. One novice, terrified at the thought of death, fled to the choir loft to hide, but, hearing his brothers singing, he realized that they were going off to heaven without him, and he returned to the choir to die with the others.

From this martyrdom came the custom of singing the "Salve Regina" at the deathbed of a Dominican--priest, sister, or brother. It is fitting that a life dedicated to God and Our Lady should end thus, with the battle-cry "Hail, Holy Queen!" echoing up from this valley of tears to be joined by the voices of Dominicans in heaven, who can now see forever the clement, loving, and sweet Virgin Mary (Benedictines, Dorcy).


Blessed Sadoc & Companions, MM.O.P.

Memorial Day: June 2nd

Profile

    Saint Dominic's dreams of converting the Tartars found realization in his sons. Missionaries did, in fact, go to the North during his lifetime, and many more were sent out by Blessed Jordan of Saxony. The more settles tribes of Poland and Hungary readily accepted the Gospel, and the North was not long in blooming with Dominican convents. But, in the thirteenth century, the restless millions of the East were riding down upon the fertile plains of Central Europe. Wild Tartar tribes soon destroyed what has been done for their more peaceful relatives, and scarcely a missionary survived to preach his message of peace to them.
   
    Paul of Hungary and his band of ninety died as martyrs, probably in 1241. They were popularly honored as saints from earliest times. Soon to follow was the group headed by Blessed Sadoc, which had its headquarters at Sandomir, in Poland. So tragic was the early history of the Dominicans in Poland that, even in that martyred country, it is remembered. Polish Dominicans today wear a red cincture to recall the martyred hundreds who shed their blood that Poland might receive the light of truth.

    Blessed Sadoc was a student at the university of Bologna when he met Saint Dominic and was received unto the Order.  Being himself a Slav, he was eager to go to the North to preach the word of God. This he was given a chance to do when he and Paul of Hungary were given charge of the northern mission band. He soon accumulated a number of eager young students and novices, and proceeded to Poland with them. On his first night in the mission field, so say the old chronicles, the devil appeared to Sadoc and reproached him for disturbing his works: "And with such children as these," he said bitterly, pointing to the young novices. With such as these, Sadoc did make havoc with the kingdom of evil: he won many souls to God, and, in Sandomir, he soon had the satisfaction of seeing a large community working for the glory of God.

    In 1260, the Tartars made a fresh invasion into Poland and attacked Sandomir. Blessed Sadoc and his community had assembled for midnight Matins when they received warning of their approaching deaths. A novice, reading the martyrology for the following day, was amazed to see, lettered in gold across the pages of the martyrology, the words: " At Sandomir, the passion of forty-nine martyrs." On investigation, it was discovered that it was not merely a novice's mistake, but an actual warning which they understood to be from heaven.

    They spent the day in preparation for death. During the singing of the "Salve Regina," after Compline, the Tarttars broke into the church and the slaughter began. One novice, terrified at the thought of death, fled to the choir loft to hide, but hearing his brothers singing, he realized that they were going off to heaven without him, and he returned to the choir to die with the others.

    From this martyrdom came the customs of singing the "Salve Regina" at the deathbed of a Dominican-priest, sister, or brother. It is fitting that a life dedicated to God and Our Lady should end thus, with the battle cry "HAIL HOLY QUEEN!" echoing up from this valley of tears to be joined by the voices of Dominicans in heaven, who can now see forever the clement, loving, and sweet Virgin Mary.

Born: Various years within the Thirteenth century

Died: died 1260

Beatified: Their cult was confirmed in 1807 by Pope Pius VI

Prayers/Commemorations

First Vespers:

Ant. The souls of the Saints who followed in the footsteps of Christ rejoice in heaven: and because for love of Him they poured out their blood, therefore shall they reign forever with Christ.

V. Pray for us, Blessed Sadoc with thy companions.

R. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.

Lauds:

Ant. These are the Saints, who for love of God despised the threats of men: the holy Martyrs triumph with the angels in the kingdom of heaven. O how precious is the death of the Saints, who constantly assist before the Lord and are not separated one from another!

V. Wonderful is God

R. In His Saints

Second Vespers:

Ant. God will wipe every tear from the eyes of the Saints: and mourning there will be no more, neither weeping nor any sorrow because the former things have passed away.

V. Pray for us, Blessed Sadoc with thy companions.

R. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.

Prayer

Let us Pray: May the clement and loving Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, O Lord Jesus, show Thee unto us after this our exile, she whom Blessed Sadoc and his companions, unceasingly hailing amidst the hostile, assaults of infidels, merited from Thee the longed-for palm of martyrdom. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

Pascal Time

First Vespers:

Ant.  Come, O daughters of Jerusalem, and behold a Martyr with a crown wherewith the Lord crowned him on the day of solemnity and rejoicing, alleluia, alleluia

V. Pray for us, Blessed Sadoc with thy companions, alleluia

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ, alleluia.

Lauds:

Ant. Perpetual light will shine upon Thy Saints, O Lord, alleluia, and an eternity of ages, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

V. The just man shall blossom like the lily, alleluia.

R. And shall flourish forever before the Lord, alleluia

Second Vespers:

Ant. In the city of the Lord the music of the Saints incessantly resounds: there the angels and archangels sing a canticle before the throne of God, alleluia.

V. Pray for us, Blessed Sadoc with thy companions, alleluia

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. alleluia

Prayer

Let us Pray: May the clement and loving Virgin Mary, Thy Mother, O Lord Jesus, show Thee unto us after this our exile, she whom Blessed Sadoc and his companions, unceasingly hailing amidst the hostile, assaults of infidels, merited from Thee the longed-for palm of martyrdom. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

SOURCE : http://www.willingshepherds.org/Dominican%20Saints%20May.html#Sadoc Companions

Beato Sadoc e 48 compagni Martiri domenicani


† Sandomierz, Polonia, 2 giugno 1260

Nel Capitolo Generale del 1221, il Santo Patriarca Domenico inviò in Ungheria il Beato Paolo, per fondarvi quella Provincia, dandogli quattro compagni, uno dei quali fu Sadoc. Una notte Sadoc udì i lugubri ululati del demonio che prevedeva quante anime gli avrebbero strappate quei nuovi apostoli, i quali, a quel grido d’inferno, si sentirono animati da più generoso ardore. Dopo aver percorsa l’Ungheria predicando e fondando Conventi, Sadoc fu chiamato a reggere quello di Sandomierz, in Polonia, sua patria. Nel 1260 la città fu invasa dai Tartari. Una notte i padri, dopo aver cantato Mattutino, si disposero ad ascoltare il Martirologio. Un novizio lesse a voce alta: “Sandomiriae Passio quadraginta novem Martyrum”. Un trepido stupore si dipinge su tutti i volti: Sadoc, il santo Priore, compreso l’avviso celeste, preparò i fratelli al sacrificio. Alla sera di quel giorno, dopo Compieta, i frati, mentre cantavano la Salve Regina, furono assaliti dai Tartari e trucidati. Uno solo era fuggito spaventato, ma sentendo i compagni terminare in cielo il canto incominciato in terra, commosso, tornò in chiesa per ricevere la stessa palma. Di questo avvenimento glorioso ha avuto origine la bellissima consuetudine di cantare la Salve Regina al letto dell’agonia degli appartenenti all’Ordine Domenicano, per chiedere a Maria che mostri loro finalmente il frutto del suo seno, Gesù. Papa Pio VII il 18 ottobre 1807 ha permesso il loro culto, già ampiamente diffuso. Infatti, dal 1295, se ne celebrava la memoria nella locale chiesa di Santa Maria.

Martirologio Romano: A Sandomierz sulla Vistola in Polonia, beati Sadoc, sacerdote, e compagni dell’Ordine dei Predicatori, martiri, che, come si tramanda, furono uccisi dai Tartari, mentre cantavano l’antifona ‘Salve Regina’, salutando così in punto di morte la Madre della Vita.

Esistono tuttora delle perplessita da parte degli storici circa l’identificazione del Beato Sadoc. Molti lo ritengono ungherese anziché polacco, presumibilmente uno dei novanta martiri domenicani in Ungheria che per mano dei Tartari “furono uccisi o con la spada o trafitti da frecce o trapassati da lancia; altri volarono al Cielo bruciati”, come asseriscono le “Vitae Fratrum”. In esse è citato fra Sadoc, in seguito priore a Zagabria, inviato da San Domenico in Ungheria dopo il secondo capitolo generale dell’ordine del 1221 insieme a fra Paolo ed altri tre confratelli, tacendo però circa le sue presunte origini polacche ed il suo martirio. Il Taegio nel “De insigniis” include tra i martiri della provincia ungherese anche il piore Sadoc, messo a morte con altri quarantotto frati: “Frater Sadoc, vir devotus et sanctus, quum in prenominatis provinciis Christi fidem verbo et exemplo predicaret, cum quadraginta octo fratribus cum martyrii palma celos gloriosus ascendit”.

Il Loenertz asserisce che forse si tratterebbe del medesimo personaggio cui talvolta vengono associati ben 93 o 94 compagni di martirio. L’Alberti invece conferma i numeri forniti nel “De insigniis”. Bisogna notare come né il Taegio, né l’Alberti considerino Sadoc polacco, ma solo nel 1556 il catalogo di Ususmaris censisce “Sadoc Polonus”. Il Loenertz non sa spiegarsi ciò ed ipotizza che alcuni autori abbiano arbitrariamente messi in rapporto Sadoc ed i suoi compagni con i martiri domenicani di Sandomierz in Polonia. Le antiche fonti relative a questi ultimi ignorano i loro nomi ed il loro numero.

A smentire tali perplessità concorrono, però, non solo l’ininterrotta tradizione domenicana, ma anche l’indulgenza che Papa Alessandro IV concesse a tutti coloro che il 2 giugno di ogni anno avessero visitato la chiesa domenicana di Sandomierz, nonché l’indulgenza plenaria che Bonifacio VIII nel 1295 accordò per la festa di questi martiri celebrata in Roma presso la chiesa di Santa Maria “ad Martyres”. Inoltre nel 1959 l’antropologo Sarama intraprese degli scavisotto il convento di San Giacomo a Sandomierz, rinvenendo così parecchi scheletri, alcuni dei quali riportanti evidenti tracce di armi taglienti e frammenti di giavellotti. Il regime comunista polacco interruppe però la sua opera. Infine è doveroso sottolineare come sia ambigua l’interpretazione del termine Ungheria utilizzato nelle “Vitae Fratrum” nel 1260, anno del martirio di Sadoc e compagni. A quel tempo l’Ungheria non era il piccolo staterello di oggi, ma comprendeva anche alcune zone limitrofe, poi passate alle vicine nazioni, e ciò potrebbe spiegare la non corcondanza fra le varie indicazioni geografiche.

La tradizione dell’Ordine Domenicano vuole che durante l’invasione tartara del 1259-60 Sadoc fosse priore del convento domenicano di Sandomierz e, la vigilia dell’espugnazione della città, il novizio addetto alla lettura del martirologio avrebbe esclamato fra lo stupore generale: “Sandomiriae, passio quadraginta novem martyrum”. Così avvenne: l’indomani, 2 giugno 1260, i Tartari irruppero nella chiesa di San Giacomo per sterminare Sadoc ed i suoi confratelli, intenti a cantare la Salve Regina. Proprio parafrasando tale antifona maria l’orazione liturgica nella festa dei martiri recita infatti: “Ti mostri a noi, Signore Gesù, dopo questo esilio la clemente e misericordiosa Vergine Maria, tua Madre, che il beato Sadoc e i suoi compagni non cessarono d’invocare mentre l’aggressione dei nemici meritava loro la sospirata palma del martirio”. Da ciò nacque l’uso per i domenicani di cantare la Salve Regina al capezzale dei frati moribondi.

Papa Pio VII il 18 ottobre 1807 confermò il culto che da tempo immemorabile era tributato a questi gloriosi martiri.

Ecco l’elenco completo dei 48 presunti compagni di martirio del Beato Sadoc: 

- Paolo, vicario
- Malachia, predicatore del convento
- Andrea, elemosiniere
- Pietro, custode dell’orto
- Giacomo, maestro dei novizi
- Abele, sindaco
- Simone, penitenziere
- Clemente
- Barnaba
- Elia
- Bartolomeo
- Luca
- Matteo
- Giovanni
- Filippo
i diaconi: 
- Gioacchino
- Giuseppe
- Stefano
i suddiaconi: 
- Taddeo, 
- Mosè
- Abramo
- Basilio
i chierici: 
- David
- Aronne
- Benedetto
- Onofrio
- Dominico
- Michele
- Mattia
- Mauro
- Timoteo
i professi studenti: 
- Gordiano
- Feliciano
- Marco
- Giovanni
- Gervasio
- Cristoforo
- Donato
- Medardo
- Valentino
i novizi: 
- Daniele
- Tobia
- Macario
- Raffaele
- Isaia
i frati conversi: 
- Cirillo, sarto
- Geremia, calzolaio
- Tommaso, organista


Autore: Fabio Arduino