Saint Dominic (Spanish: Santo Domingo), also known as Dominic of Osma and Dominic of Caleruega, often called Dominic de Guzmán and Domingo Félix de Guzmán (1170 – August 6, 1221), was a Spanish priest and founder of the Dominican Order. Dominic is the patron saint of astronomers.
Founder of the Dominican Order
In 1215, Dominic established himself, with six followers, in a house given by Peter Seila, a rich resident of Toulouse. He subjected himself and his companions to the monastic rules of prayer and penance; and meanwhile bishop Foulques gave them written authority to preach throughout the territory of Toulouse.
In the same year, the year of the Fourth Lateran Council, Dominic and Foulques went to Rome to secure the approval of the Pope, Innocent III. Dominic returned to Rome a year later, and was finally granted written authority in December 1216 and January 1217 by the new pope, Honorius III for an order to be named "The Order of Preachers" ("Ordo Praedicatorum", or "O.P.," popularly known as the Dominican Order).
Rosary at the heart of the Dominican Order
The spread of the Rosary, a Marian devotion, is attributed to the preaching of St. Dominic. The Rosary has for centuries been at the heart of the Dominican Order. Pope Pius XI stated that: "The Rosary of Mary is the principle and foundation on which the very Order of Saint Dominic rests for making perfect the life of its members and obtaining the salvation of others."
For centuries, Dominicans have been instrumental in spreading the rosary and emphasizing the Catholic belief in the power of the rosary. The feast of St. Dominic is celebrated with great pomp and Devotion in Malta, in the old city of Birgu and the capital city Valletta. The Dominican order has very strong links with Malta and as a matter fact, Pope St. Pius V, a Dominican friar himself, aided the Knights of St. John to build the city of Valletta. (Wikipedia)
Holy Father Dominic, Priest, Founder of the Order of Preachers (Feast)
Today is the Feast of St. Dominic Guzman, the founder of the Dominicans. Let us pray for their ministries throughout the world as they develop their charism in preaching. Let us particularly pray that they may reach the “unchurched” with the Gospel through their schools and universities. In a world where there is a plethora of ideas, there has never been a more important time for the charism of preaching the Gospel, clearly and effectively.
St. Dominic ministered at a time when the Catholic faith was attacked by Catharists and Albigensians. It was Dominic’s commitment to both a life of simplicity — refusing the luxury often afforded the clergy at that time — and simple but faithful preaching of the Gospel and the teachings of the Church that helped to turn the tide on these heresies. May each of usbe committed to faithfully live and proclaim the Gospel.
St. Dominic de Guzman combined a life of simplicity and poverty with the proclamation of the Gospel to devastating effect amid heretical groups of his time. Let us pray that the Dominican Family may always be rooted in preaching God’s Word, the Gospel message of truth that is so desperately needed by the world today. (Kerygma - August 8, 2018)
The saints are wonderful examples of what it means to take up our crosses and follow Jesus. It will never be the same for two people but we can draw inspiration and strength from other people’s faith journeys. Let us be inspired by Dominic’s desire to live a simple life in order to strengthen the power of his preaching. Let us be honest with ourselves and ensure that we do not avoid the difficult decisions of our life for fear of embracing the cross. (Kerygma - August 8, 2015)
Published:
August 8, 2015, 6:49 AM
August 8, 2014, 8:11 AM
