Three very important anniversaries are fast approaching; the 800th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Order in 2016, the 800th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Convent of St Dominic in Bologna in 2019 and the 800th Anniversary of the Death of St Dominic in 2021.
In anticipation of these anniversaries, the friars of the Convent of St Dominic, Bologna have put together a book titled, “San Domenico: Un Partimonio Secolare di arte, fede e cultura” (St Dominic: A Millenary Heritage of Art, Faith and Culture) edited by Prof. Beatrice Borghi.
In the past, to celebrate a number of important anniversaries, the Convent of St Dominic had commissioned a chapel of beautiful frescos, a precious reliquary, a magnificent painting and a prestigious sculpture. With the changing times, it is difficult to equal these past feats which were necessary to protect our artistic heritage. It will remain an impossible task to attempt to match their expertise and historical scrupulousness, their exquisite taste and perseverance which are all evident.
Despite current limitations, we have endeavoured to produce something that will last the test of time in the midst of such works as the frescos of Reni, the sculptures of Michelangelo, Caracci or Lippi. Certainly, we strongly believe that this book will be a living witness of our heritage.
From within the pages of the book, it is easy to realize how the complex Convent of St Dominic, Bologna is a rich treasure of undisputable beauty. Throughout this past eight centuries, from one generation of friars to another, a beautiful edifice has been erected and it remains, first and foremost, a sign of the beauty of the Dominican vocation.
Therefore, recalling the treasures that exist within the walls of the Convent of St Dominic means reawakening the memory of this community of friars, or better still, rekindling the living memory of the religious vocation which has consecrated these walls as a place for the reception of the Word.
One could be tempted to see its beauty as a pursuit of ostentatious vagueness. On the contrary, it should rather be seen as a devout tribute to the Divine Word; He that is loved, prayed, studied and preached. The Convent, the place of warm fraternal reception is therefore, the place of prayer and wisdom.
Within the rich pages of this book and its impressive images, it is easy to see a line of thought that leads us right to the depth of a life marked by continual prayer and desire and the obvious fatigue from a mission that has been in charge of the truth for centuries. Thus, the Convent wants to continue to be the “Church of the Lord” and by virtue of that, a place where we can grow with a vital sense of belonging.
Above all these, we must not lose sense of the fact that, after 800 years, the Convent remains even today; a home for the friars and the dwelling place of the body of our Holy Father Dominic, the place where he has found comfort and rest.
Beartice Borghi is a researcher and professor of Medieval History. He teaches History at the Faculty of Educational Sciences at the University of Bologna.
Title: San Domenico. Un patrimonio secolare di arte, fede e cultura
Format: 24 x 34 cm
Pages: 304 + C. Hardback with jacket
Illustrations: 200 B/N and in colour
Price: € 49,00
Edition: Novembre 2012
Language: Italian and English
ISBN: 978-88-7381-447-4
Buy at: Edizioni Minerva