Our Holy Father St. Dominic de Guzmán (ca. 1170-1211), Founder of the Order of Preachers
OUR HOLY FATHER ST. DOMINIC DE GUZMÁN (ca. 1170-1211), Founder of the Order of Preachers
Belonging to a noble family, Dominic de Guzmán was born in Caleruega, Spain around 1170. When he was studying in Palencia, a great famine took place. He distinguished himself for his interest in the study of Sacred Scriptures and for his love of the poor to the point of selling his precious books to support the famine victims. Speaking always with God or about God, beginning all his actions in contemplation, Dominic advanced in wisdom. After his presbyteral ordination, he was elected canon of the Cathedral Chapter in Osma. Diego de Acebedo, the Bishop of Osma soon recognized his spiritual qualities. Together, they went to Northern Europe, on a diplomatic mission entrusted by the King of Castile. On their way, Dominic became aware of two enormous challenges facing the Church of his time: the existence of unevangelized people in Northern Europe, and the heresy that undermined Christianity in Southern France.
The Pope Innocent III asked Dominic to devote himself to preaching to the Albigensians, a heretical group which upheld a dualistic principle of good and evil, despising matter as coming from the principle of evil. They even refused marriage, and denied the Incarnation of Christ, the Sacraments, and the Resurrection of bodies. However, the heretics lived an austere life, criticizing the riches of the clergy. So Dominic accepted the mission and carried it out in poverty. Attracted by the same aspiration, many joined the Order of Preachers, which was confirmed in 1216 by Pope Honorius III. They preached as they travelled from one place to another, underscoring prayer, community life and study in order “to praise, to bless, and to preach.”
Dominic wanted his followers to acquire a sound theological training. In 1217, he dispersed his small band throughout the Universities of Europe, and from such beginnings the Order grew. He wanted his friars to devote themselves to study without reserve, with diligence and with piety; a study based on the Sacred Scriptures, and respectful of the questions asked by reason. The motto “contemplata aliis tradere” reveals the pastoral yearning in the contemplative study of the truth (Veritas) because of the need to communicate to others the fruits of one's own contemplation. Moreover, the Order continues Dominic’s vision of preaching the Good News, missio ad gentes. When Dominic died in 1221 in Bologna, the Order had spread to many countries in Europe. Dominic was canonized in 1234.
Sources:
Benedict XVI, General Audience, 3 February 2010.
Dominican Missal and Lectionary for the Order of Preachers in the Philippines, 2011, p. 127-129.
Feast Day: August 8
Belonging to a noble family, Dominic de Guzmán was born in Caleruega, Spain around 1170. When he was studying in Palencia, a great famine took place. He distinguished himself for his interest in the study of Sacred Scriptures and for his love of the poor to the point of selling his precious books to support the famine victims. Speaking always with God or about God, beginning all his actions in contemplation, Dominic advanced in wisdom. After his presbyteral ordination, he was elected canon of the Cathedral Chapter in Osma. Diego de Acebedo, the Bishop of Osma soon recognized his spiritual qualities. Together, they went to Northern Europe, on a diplomatic mission entrusted by the King of Castile. On their way, Dominic became aware of two enormous challenges facing the Church of his time: the existence of unevangelized people in Northern Europe, and the heresy that undermined Christianity in Southern France.
The Pope Innocent III asked Dominic to devote himself to preaching to the Albigensians, a heretical group which upheld a dualistic principle of good and evil, despising matter as coming from the principle of evil. They even refused marriage, and denied the Incarnation of Christ, the Sacraments, and the Resurrection of bodies. However, the heretics lived an austere life, criticizing the riches of the clergy. So Dominic accepted the mission and carried it out in poverty. Attracted by the same aspiration, many joined the Order of Preachers, which was confirmed in 1216 by Pope Honorius III. They preached as they travelled from one place to another, underscoring prayer, community life and study in order “to praise, to bless, and to preach.”
Dominic wanted his followers to acquire a sound theological training. In 1217, he dispersed his small band throughout the Universities of Europe, and from such beginnings the Order grew. He wanted his friars to devote themselves to study without reserve, with diligence and with piety; a study based on the Sacred Scriptures, and respectful of the questions asked by reason. The motto “contemplata aliis tradere” reveals the pastoral yearning in the contemplative study of the truth (Veritas) because of the need to communicate to others the fruits of one's own contemplation. Moreover, the Order continues Dominic’s vision of preaching the Good News, missio ad gentes. When Dominic died in 1221 in Bologna, the Order had spread to many countries in Europe. Dominic was canonized in 1234.
Sources:
Benedict XVI, General Audience, 3 February 2010.
Dominican Missal and Lectionary for the Order of Preachers in the Philippines, 2011, p. 127-129.
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