CrucisSt. Dominic
St. Dominic was born around 1170 at Caleruega in Castile, Spain, and died on 6 August 1221 at Bologna, Italy. A canon of the cathedral of Osma, he accompanied his bishop through southern France, where he was struck by the spread of the Albigensian (Cathar) heresy and convinced that it could be met not by wealth and force but by learned, humble preachers who lived the poverty they proclaimed. He devoted himself to preaching and disputation, marked by patience and prayer.
Out of this mission he founded the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans), approved in 1216, an order combining rigorous study, community life, and itinerant preaching in service of the truth — its members would include St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Catherine of Siena. Tradition strongly associates Dominic with the spread of the Holy Rosary as a means of conversion and devotion to the Virgin Mary. Renowned for his gentleness and cheerfulness, he was canonized in 1234.
Selected quotes
“The Order of Preachers was not founded to grow comfortable, but to carry the fire of the Word into the cold and dark places of the world.”
“Sell your books if you must but feed the hungry; the wisdom of the page is less than the wisdom of charity, and God will restore more than was given away.”
“The one who errs is not your enemy — he is your patient; go to him with truth in your hand and love in your heart, and leave the rest to God.”