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Monastic Devotion Since the
time of St. Bernard the Salve (Hail Holy Queen) has been sung by religious
after Compline in honor of the Blessed Mother in monasteries throughout
the world. Because of several visions in the early days of the Order, the
Salve has come to have a special significance for all Dominicans.
Institution of the Procession
In 1221, very soon after the death of St. Dominic, Blessed Jordan of
Saxony instituted the procession, which was to accompany the singing of
the Salve. This was done in response to a crisis in the community.
In Bologna at this time several Dominican houses were having trouble
with assaults of the devil, and a certain brother, by the name of Bernard,
was suffering acutely. His difficulty caused disturbance to the whole
community. It was decided that the aid of our Heavenly Mother would be
invoked. The singing of the Salve was thereafter done in procession
seeking the Blessed Mother’s special protection. Immediately, peace was
restored to the monastery. The practice spread rapidly to other Dominican
houses, as well as to other religious orders in the Church.
The Blessed Virgin’s Visitation
 One night St. Dominic came upon a heavenly trio as he made his way
through the dormitory of the brethren. Three radiant women came toward him
as the one in the center made the sign of the cross with an asperges brush
dipped in holy water, blessing the cells of the sleeping friars. The
astonished St. Dominic knelt at their feet and looking toward the most
beautiful woman in the middle, asked her who she was. The Blessed Mother
replied, “I am she whom you invoke every evening, and when you say, 'Eia
ergo advocata nostra' ('Turn then, our advocate'). I prostrate before my son
for the preservation of this Order.” When St. Dominic inquired about the
other holy women with her, she identified them as St. Cecilia and St.
Catherine of Alexandria.
It is from this account that the custom spread throughout the Order to
kneel as the words “Eia ergo advocata nostra” are sung. While the
community is kneeling, the hebdomadarian (a designated leader of prayer)
walks down the aisle, blessing the brethren or sisters with holy water.
Martyrdom in Sandomir
 In 1260, in
Sandomir, Poland, Blessed Sadoc and forty-eight friars were murdered by
the Tartars, a barbarian tribe. The Blessed Mother’s promise of protection
was evident as the community had been miraculously warned the day before
their death that they were to be martyred. In preparation, each friar went
to Confession and Mass, then performed, as perfectly as possible, his
ordinary duties. It was not until evening that the Tartars invaded the
monastery. The Dominicans were killed as they sang the Salve. It is this
incident that prompted the tradition of singing the Salve at the deathbed
of the brethren. This practice continues at St. Cecilia Motherhouse in our
infirmary after our chaplain anoints the sister who is in her last hours
and the community recites the prayers for the dying. Many sisters after a
long fruitful religious life have left this world with the Salve ringing
in their ears.
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