Blessed Jordan of Saxony (c1190 – 1237)

Berkeley, Monday, February 2, 2026 6:28 PM

Feast day: February 13

I recall reading long time that Blessed Jordan of Saxony was an excellent preacher. I wonder where I read it. He went preaching the Gospel of the Lord to the towns. It was said that moms hid their children to not being persuade and follow him. But Saint Albert the Great was impressed by Blessed Jordan of Saxony eloquence. He was one of his followers. It is good to learn a bit about the intellectual or training tree from Saint Thomas of Aquinas.

I would say that meaningful things, and probably true beauty, it is found in the truth, on the focused and consistent tasks, sharing of them, and on accepting the gifts of wisdom from the Lord. He is the only source.

A prayer to focus on prayer, before saying the Liturgy of the hours:

Lord, open my lips to praise your holy name. Cleanse my heart of any worthless, evil or distracting thoughts. Give me the wisdom and love necessary to pray this Office with attention. reverence, and devotion. Father, let my prayer be heard in your presence, for it is offered through Christ our Lord. Amen

Angel of God,

my guardian dear,

to whom God’s love commits me here,

ever this day

be at my side,

to light and guard,

to rule and guide. Amen

Day 1: February 4. I almost made the error of combining my current thoughts in here. Time by time I would blend those, as long as I have covered something from the Saint, venerable, blessed, who I would honor in a novena.

Blessed Jordan of Saxony Pray for us.

Jordanus de Alamania was the “author of a history of the Dominican Order. He was, possible, born near Dassel in Saxony”. Transcribed from Schmider, 2016. To be continued.

Dasel is located in the Southern Lowe Saxony. Current district of North heim. It is located near the Solling hills. At an elevation of about 160 m. Not to high, but it might be mountainous for Europe? (Wikipedia). I see that there is a twon in Minnesota with the same name.

I see the Ilme Creek, or River (?) in the Solling mountains crosses Dassel (Wikipedia, 2026). The Ilme is a triubury of the Leine River. The Leine River flows through Lower Saxony and Thuringia. It crosses Hanover. It is a tributary of the Aller River (Wikipedia, 2026).

I see the Aller River flowing on the North West direction in Germany. It crosses nearby Wolfsburg. It croses the states of Saxony Anhalt and Lower Saxony. It is a tributary of the Weser River (Wikipedia, 2026). Ok. Well. The Weser River flows from around the Thuringia Forest, which seems quite cool, and its highest point has an elevation of 983 m . That is at Großer Beerberg peak. The Weser River discharges into the North Sea, near Bremerhaven (Wikipedia, 2026). i wander with that difference of elevation which speeds the flow can reach. it must be much slower than flow in the rainy Andes and in the Himalayas. As well, that it might rain much less there. But, it is something to look into further.

Happy first day of the novena Blessed Jordan of the Weser River Basin!

Probably, other Saints from the Weser River Basin have been: Saint Winfrid (Boniface), Saint Sturmi of Fulda, Saint Willehad, St. Lioba, Sat. Walburga. This according to google search. But I would need to fact check. If I do that at some point. Still, the focus of this Novena is on Blessed Jordan of Saxony. But learning, where he was born. I know that later he moved to Lombardia in Italy, and probably did plenty of his preaching in France. Also, I believe he passed away in a wrecked ship on a journey to Jerusalem during the crusades. Plenty to learn. Those facts about Blessed Jordan I can correct.

Day 2: February 5. I started writing a few seconds before midnight. So, I guess it counts in this case the starting time, not necessarily the ending time. Blessed Jordan guide me. I will write a bit more of you. Please do not abandon my capacity of speaking and to listen. Meditation and prayer are to the Lord. In can be for others. But it is directed to the Lord. We can ask for the saints intersection. And probably for several souls’ intersection. Several messages seem to be delivered and received by the messengers who are the angels. Once I read from Saint Aloysius that there are more angels that human beings, believe more than creatures on the earth? Well, is it a finite number of Angels?

Mixing a bit things. Holiness can happen at home. If I recall well what I was reading yesterday from Venerable Fulton Sheen, sorry to mix. But among the several stories, near the end of the Three to Get Married, which is a beautiful book, he was saying that God instructed to Saint Macarius, who seems was one of the Desert Fathers in the 4th century, and a disciple from Saint Anthony. The Lord instructed him, probably while he was in the monastery or in his cell, to go to the city and talk to two married women who were much more holly than him. If I understood the the text well. So, Saint Macarius went found those women, and with his humble heart were asking them what makes them so holly or that the Lord keeps them in so high regard. They were, probably, confused by the question, particularly coming from the monk. The answer, probably, was in their love, their duties. They happened to be married with two brothers, which I do not know how that affect the story. However, one can honor the Lord with his duties.

Back to Blessed Jordan, he was born near Dassel, Saxony. He joined the Dominicans in Paris in 1220. So, probably, when he was near 30 years old. A year after, in 1221, he became provincial minister of Lombardy. And the year after, in 1222, he followed Santo Domingo de Guzman, founder of the Order of Preachers, or known as the Dominican Order, as master general of the Order. Probably, 15 years after, on a February 13, 1237, when he might have been around 47 years old, and during one of the crusades, Blessed Jordan died in front of the coast of the Holy Land, because their ship was wrecked (Schmider, 2016).

Of course, Christianity nor Catholicism was created by Santo Domingo de Guzman. A quick reflection on this is how much they gave to the Lord with their lives as a gift. What was their role in the crusades. How much has it growth he Order since its foundation. Well, it seems that the Order of Preacher, the order of friars was approved/founded on 22 December 1216 by Pope Honorius III (9). The Order of Preachers for nuns was founded 10 years earlier (Wikipedia, 2026). Santo Domingo passed away on August 6, 1221 (Wikipedia, 2026). So, his successor was Blessed Jordan. I recall reading that Santo Domingo passed away wearing a borrowed habit. It was a reference to his commitment to poverty. One should be aware of the works of the Lord in our lives and in the life. I am also surprised how something small, probably, or I believe, at that time, has growth this much. It might have been something small so that Blessed Jordan was in charge of the Order almost a year after he entered, when Santo Domingo passed away.

I will get into Blessed Jordan’s writing Libellus de initiis Ordinis Praedicatorum on another day.

Impossible to study a Saint in limited time in 9 days. Then, I start saying generalities or making assumptions. But one can also assess by the living example, and that is what must often we do. As not every one as Saint Augustin, picked up and read, and write. The living example is a great way to evaluate. I have not seen them being defensive as of 2026. Meaning the Dominicans. There might have been a strong, truth foundation, to keep things going. Truth, thanks to the Lord. But hopefully thanks to telling the truth as well. I wonder how many errors have been in those more than 800 years of the order. But in general things need to be known.

Day 3: February 7. Dear Blessed Jordan. Respectfully pray for me. I will [tengo la {finding the word} sorry } it might be desfachatez ]. Well, tengo la desfachatez, de writing in this a few thoughts reflections as a diary. From prior readings about motivation, although, typing that word on a search, the last three letters, were typed in a chat, that after an enter were rather delivered that part, instead of doing the search. Regardless, small and big facts. Ok crosses, offenses, actions. One still should treat the own body and soul as a temple. That means, in part, one has the capacity of carrying the self, with the help of God. But even is stronger when carrying others. The external load and forces are possible to carry, because if one is giving fully himself, God is also acting in that giving situation.

Regarding direction, there is a lot of talk about my way, the right way, etc, which might be. But in the authentic self, which all the flaws, and acceptance, and even suffering of those, God acts and directs. Some months ago a friend was sharing his reflections saying about agency and that one is not a passenger in this life.

I think that there are several things that one can do because of discipline, and also because it is the right thing. Might be.

As long as one also feel it is important. There is that role of authenticity. I think that full expression really comes from the Lord, our God.

Back to Blessed Jordan: It seems that the Libellus contained the main ideals and inspiration that led St. Dominic to found the Order of Preachers. It has been a main document about him. Later, miracles were also added to the text (Schmieder, 2016).

I will probably read a bit of the Libellus. True that time is complexity. Well here seems that there are two good reverences:

H.C. Scheeben, “Libellus de initiis Ordinis Praedicatorum”, in H.C. Scheeben & A. Walz, Monumenta Historiae Sancti Patris Nostri Dominici, 1935, 25-88 [a new critical edition is forthcoming by Simon Tugwell].
W. Hoyer, Jordan von Sachsen. Ordensmeister, Geschichtsschreiber, Beter, ²2003 [German translation].

I should learn a bit more of German so I can read some of it.

Well, here it is the main text. It does not seem to long. It is a English translation:

The Libellus of Jordan of Saxony. It is not too long actually: http://www.domcentral.org/trad/domdocs/0001.htm

Ok. Blessed Jordan was a Master of Arts and a grammarian. He also was the successor of Saint Dominic. So, he was a Master General of the Order of Preachers.

i have ask for his intersection on my writing and grammar, regardless the media, and language. For, so I have been criticized on that regard, which I take in, with humility. I accept the fact. The results is that I care more. Not that I worry too much about expressing myself.

Day 4: February 8. Great writing Blessed Jordan, in the Libellus, about the history of the the Dominican Order, Bishop Diego de Osma. It is interesting that Diego de Osma founded the order by circumstances, and to follow his traveller fellow, Saint Dominic. Saying to the Catholics, Catholic clergy, who invited them to weight in to discuss how to correct the Albigensian heresy. They decided to found the order there in that meeting in Montpellier. Saying that those heretics, although heretics are able to reach the people because of their simple example. Steel match steel. All the pompously and expensive things of the clergy there rather were turning people away. They starting to live with example. Sell unrequired books. Lived in poverty. Devoted themselves to strict study. Eloquent preaching. And reaching out to people. It could explain the seismic change and the rapid growth of this true exemplary life, with strong bases, strong routes, excellent example. Blessed Jordan book is beautifully writing. Please pray for me for my writing Blessed Jordan. Thanks as well for your work of love, energy, compassion, and example. A symbol, because I cannot said a Saint, at least not yet, of good grammar. Why Bishop Diego is not a Saint? I guess not everyone for the same circumstance is a saint?

In his beginnings, at least. Saint Dominic did not sleep, or did not sleep much while studying and contemplating.

Blessed Jordan, Saint Dominic. I am committed to finish what I start. Unless that external, or inner, circumstances happens. I will finish this novena. I am not sure if I will keep writing more novenas. It is hard to get to the deep heart of a live or a Saint within 9 days. It is possible with the Help of the Holy Spirit. But, for instance, this year the Holy Church dedicates a year to Saint Francis. Even, then it is not enough. In addition, that one might give a bit of time. I will decide what I will do. Grant me wisdom and clarity my Lord. Other option is to write the summaries I intentionally or I am exposed to for one reason or other per day, but mainly the material I read continuously. It is a good habit for the memory to write what one learns and reads. It might be a gift as well. Despite, doing the divine office and a brief part of the rosary. By the way, Our Lady taught to teach the rosary to Saint Dominic. First, man on earth who learned it. I might not get to that part of the story in the writings of Blessed Jordan. Would see.

What, I am afraid of, although it is not a good word, that by not doing the novenas, I would disconnect to other not necessarily good topics. At end, one learns plenty of unexpected things, even with the brief exposure of nine days to the life or writings of a Saint, or Blessed, or Venerable, or Servant of God. What should I do?

Saint Dominic. You to whom Our Lady appeared. You who have followed the Lord. You who before you were born, your mother, a holy woman, and your father a pious man, your mother had a dream with a dog carrying a torch with fire. I would need to make that connection on the Dominic name and on your preaching life.

God has rewarded your soul. So you are present in many minds more than 800 years after your life. Apologies, Blessed Jordan for the parenthesis and for talking about your boss.

But as Saint Francis said, we might be an instrument of the Lord. Preacher of fire. intercede for me to the Lord.

Grant me wisdom to do the Lord’s Will and not mine. That is my main prayer.

[I had to look into something else, a job application, which I will decide what about by the end of the day.]

The other path, which I am considering doing is to write a sort of annotated bibliographies with the readings of the day. It has the benefit of accountability. It has the problems of time. It has the benefits of consistent continuous reading. So, I would be reporting about the ish pages total read on the day, on main three topics: fluvial geomorphology, riparian habitat, riparian ecosystems, liturgy of the hours, daily book. i.e. now the daily book is Three to get Married by Fulton Sheen. I might not include readings on the dissertation, unless it is only the reading. I might keep another document with the annotated bibliographies.

Day 5: February 9. I am enjoying the reading the text written by Blessed Jordan of Saxony, the Libellus. Bishop Diego, Saint Dominic, and new brothers, send their things to Osma (This was in the case of Diego), and started preaching in bare foot.

I was listening briefly the other day, that one day during the times Blessed Jordan was either studying or something in the university, one day he hear ring the bell from the church. He put his clothes, tied up his belt, etc, and run to mass. Before entering the mass a mendicant or beggar asked him for alms. He had nothing because he just put his clothes quickly, did not carry anything with him. But he gave his belt to the mendicant. Once he entered the church. He find out that there were no mass. But there was an image of Our Lord Jesus ringing a belt and wearing his belt.

The more I learn from Blessed Jordan, the more I see how important are second and loyal roles.

Day 6: February 10. I will write a few other notes to decide other steps. But true. This might be procrastination even of praying the liturgy of the hours, which I am now behind. In terms of confessions, weakness, vulnerabilities, and although, this is not the place for that. I invested a ton of time watching some youtube videos, I even logged in briefly in instagram, and facebook. The material consulted expanded from current affairs such as the super bowl, the half-time show from Bad Bunny, where he sang all the countries of the continent of America as one America. I read about the grammys. I watched the performance from Justin Bieber. I learned a bit more of him and his history. I watched Bad Bunny on the karaoke with James something of a late night show something. I watched more events that there talking about a witness of a parallel story of the death of Kurt Cobain. I watched a bit of the story of Nickelback. I watched plenty of Linkin Park. But definitely I was avoiding facing something. That is the problem of place and time. But I guess I should take more action.

I will write in another post about the next books. I read a bit about an carmelite Archbishop of Cuenca, who I deeply admired, and who had powerful homilies. His name was Monseñor Luis Alberto Luna Tobar.

I checked a few facts from Fulton Sheen. Read more, probably, about Saint Augustin. I was surprised how much Fulton Sheen new about beautiful Russian stories. It is so interesting a message and scandal that media can built on. So, I guess he was building a counter balance to focus on people’s hearts. I learned on Monday morning. That Archbishop Fulton Sheen will become a Blessed.

I checked in a few text. I leaned how sometimes people who know one have many things on their heads and just one to release them on someone. But probably someone is doing that them as well.

I am doing that, in part, in this novena to Blessed Jordan. Well, while cooking today. I listened to a podcast. I learned about the intellectual gifts of Blessed Jordan. He recruited several people to the order of Preachers. Probably more than 1,000 (I heard that a long time ago). Among them was Saint Albert the Great. I listened in the podcast that, I think, he founded 300 new priories.

I recall listening that wine was a healing thing in those times. Around the year 1200.

Oh, I got, or have been distracted, with the stats of this site, and visits, and reads. A probably painful or useless or purposeless thing to do. As if, for what purpose would I be curious of one visitor.

Blessed Jordan, please help me to connect to the Lord of Host. Provide me with that fire and energy in the heart, soul, and mind. Grant peace. The passion and energy to continue, hopefully doing, the Work of God, or to find ways to do it. Connect me with the source. Help me with the focus and attention. I understand that in long periods of isolation several parts of the brain deactivate. Please, Blessed Jordan. Several monks, scribes, Servants of the Lord, have not been wealth seekers, but truth seekers and wisdom seekers. Grant the clarity and articulation in each of my actions. The generosity to express the truth. Help me to burn in my heart all negativity. Help me to understand and keep a good record of actions. But give me the strength to carry any of those as learned lessons, not as guilt weights. Same as the apostles: please help me to pack light light. Being detached to irrelevant things, but give my heart, time, attention, to what I have committed to. Please put me last, but give me strength to carry the cross that comes in this world, not matter its weight. Please Blessed Jordan grant me the wisdom, eloquence, passion, discipline, opportunities to teach the fluvial processes. Above all, grant me love, peace, and discipline. Thank you for the food, health, and shelter.

It is not too complicated what is next on those blog post. But stayed focused. On track. Keep writing small summaries of topics. The church celebrates the year of Saint Francis, until January 10, 2027. The main celebration I believe is in the summer. The question is if I should also join a read about Saint Francis, to honor his 800 years? Or narrow down things to what I can productively can do during each day? I might start submitting things in short brief projects. But I might not stop writing the brief novenas.

Day 7: February 11. Noise here as usual. But it has a been a blessed day of Our Lady of Lourdes. Blessed be the Lord. Please help to learn your ways. I understand I could have done more today, but I wrote a paragraph, have a better plan. It felt a bit productive. Reference [15] is an excellent book. But I might not be capable to keep on reading several things and stay on top of my duties and energy.

But yesterday, I completed a book from (soon) Blessed Fulton Sheen. I am delighted of what I have learned from Blessed Jordan.

I am also learning on that time the recruiting competition between the mendicant orders, which started or were approved in the thirteen century. I even learned about jokes to learn about their charisms. But probably the Carmelites became more quiet or silent after the reformation? In any ways, Carmelites created several monasteries near the universities. The leading orders in recruiting were the Franciscans and the Dominicans. Blessed Jordan was an extraordinary recruiter. The interesting thing I have been also learning is that, at least for Dominicans and likely Franciscans as well, the aspirants should be well versed in Latin. Several It seems that well studied folks, or with already some basis of study were joining those orders. Some example in the Franciscans is St. Anthony of Padua (he was from Portugal actually). It seems that he was an excellent preacher. In the Dominicans, some examples at that time are Blessed Jordan himself, Saint Albert the Great, St. Thomas Aquinas. In that order, because they belong to different generations of recruiting I believe, although not that distant in years.

Something a bit random. I am not sure if it is going to be fully true. But Lord, please grant me the capacity to learn the Rule of Saint Augustine, and its similar one, but applied by the Carmelites, the Rule of Saint Albert. I will check the other rules, as well. Once, I read the rule of Saint Benedict. As Saint Augustine recommended, he said read it often. Have it in a place you remember quite frequently.

Well, I am commuting quite a bit those days. But Blessed Jordan, please intercede to the Lord, I can finish my dissertation.

Day 8: February 12. I have never experienced a ringing of ears like this one. So, it seems that I should go to a doctor tomorrow. I also need to be more careful with the load on my backpack.

Mixing some expressions in the novena. In a moment of high stress, which is good. It might mean commitment and decision.

Blessed Jordan. Grammar expert. Recruiter expert. Above of instrument of the Lord. I have enjoyed learning about you life. Should I continue the journey of novenas? I understand that one has several things on a day. I understand a bit better a former chair of my department who said that one does not have goals but dreams. In my case, well if it applies it would be Thy Will Be Done.

Ways to get to the source is of course prayer, reading and meditation of the bible, contemplation. Among the prayers: rosary, divine office. Daily mass. Confession. Works for the Lord. But one thing that might be key is how easier is to walk a path if someone has already showed the way. I meant you followed Saint Dominic. Saint Augustine talked quite often with Saint Ambrose, exchanged letters with Saint Jerome. He wrote about several saints such as Albert of the Dessert, other dessert fathers, Saint Vicente de Zaragoza.

The Lord, Jesus, is the path, the truth, and the life. Please my Lord. Guise my life.

Blessed Jordan. Please pray for us. Is the City of God, also in one’s heart?

Every action must have a design and a purpose.

Day 9: February 14. Lord, please grant me a zealous and focus heart to give everything in this life for You, or for who else? Wrong question, but for You first. Apologies, that sometimes I do not do right away my duties. Please guide me to keep working focused. You are the deepest source of pure love. Look into my offenses so I can learn from them. But please do not punish me, rather teach me to learn and to amend for the learned lessons. Please, help me to be prudent and to guide to others with Your life, but also to be fully aware of the distinction between You and evil. I must keep your commandments. Love my neighbor. And please forgive me that my actions have offended others. Should I ask You to punish me for my offenses against others. I, rather, would ask you again My Lord, to please look into my offenses, and help me learn. And help the others also to not be affected by any offense and rather forgive, or forgive me. You have thought us that it is more damaging for a person his own actions rather to what is done the self. The world is light. Even the flowers sleep during the evening and wake up open up during afternoon sun to receive light and radiation. Lord, have misericordia of me. Help me to be strong. Diligent. To avoid the lesser occasion of sin. Please deliver me from all the evils. Please do not let me fall on evil temptations and distractions. Only to find truth love with all my heart. I love You my Lord.

Thank you Blessed Jordan for have keep the Lord’s commandments after another generation. Help me to become punctual. Help me to keep the Lord’s commandments for one generation more, and forever and ever. Do not disconnect my heart, my mind, my soul from the Lord. Give the strength to detach myself from worldly things and give myself entirely to the Lord’s life?

Happy feast Blessed Jordan. Apologies I wrote this in the morning after your feast. I have enjoyed your example.

Thank you to the Lord, the best Host, the Lord of Host. Please Lord, remember me, when the time of Your Kingdom would come for me. Please provide me eloquence, clarity, and good speech.

Stats in this site are a distraction. Because one does not know who is reading them. Then, why one would check the stats. Probably is OK. But the wrong part is to do an assumption. Because some of the trends, although strange, does not make much more sense. Because there has been other peaks and other checkings at different times. So, a specific check, can not mean a specific person in this world wide web. I might have been better off, by do not caring much about the stats. At the end, the ultimate purpose is to invest a bit of time on a public sphere to sever the Lord. And to remember good examples, from who we have some records, who have keep the faith generation after generation. But also, there are several people who has done several good things, and we do not necessarily remember, but at least someone remember. This is for Rosa Elena G.

Prayer:

3. “Blessed Jordan of Saxony, worthy successor of St. Dominic, in the early days of the Order, your example and zeal prompted many men and women to follow Christ in the white habit of Our Holy Father. As patron of Dominican vocations, continue to stimulate talented and devoted men and women to consecrate their lives to God. Through your intercession, lead to the Order of Preachers generous and sacrificing persons, willing to give themselves fervently to the apostolate of Truth. Help them to prepare themselves to be worthy of the grace of a Dominican vocation. Inspire their hearts to become learned of God, that with firm determination they might aspire to be “champions of the Faith and true lights of the world”.

4. “O God, You endowed Blessed Jordan with wonderful zeal to save souls and power to propagate religious life. Through his merits and prayers, enable us to live always in this same spirit and so attain the glory reserved for us in heaven.” Amen.

I will add a prayer, named for a Priestly Heart, but the general application as teacher also works well. It is also in the reference 3 and it was written by St. Thomas Aquinas.

“Give me, O Lord, an ever watchful heart which no subtle speculation may ever lure from Thee. Give me a noble heart that no unworthy affection shall ever draw downwards to earth. Give me a heart of honesty that not insincerity shall warp. Give me a heart of courage that no distress shall ever crush or quench. Give me a heart so free that no perverted or impetuous affection shall ever claim it for its own. Amen”

References

To read:

Schmieder, Felicitas. “Jordan of Saxony”. In G. Dunphy (ed.), Encyclopedia of the Medieval Chronicle Online, (Brill, 2016) doi: https://doi.org/10.1163/2213-2139_emc_SIM_01553

Additional sources:

2. https://marburydominicannuns.org/blog/prayer-of-bl-jordan-to-st-dominic

3. https://www.opfraternity.org/vprayer

4. https://www.divine-redeemer-sisters.org/saint-of-the-day/february/13-blessed-jordan-of-saxony-priest#:~:text=Jordan%20is%20particularly%20remembered%20for,Amen.