Blessed Joan
Mother of Our Holy Father Dominic
Optional Memorial
Jordan of Saxony, in the Libellus, calls Felix the father and Joan the mother of St. Dominic. She had three sons, the first of whom is said to have been from a previous marriage.
According to the testimony of Rodrigo of Cerrato, she was a woman “full of faith,” and “honorable, modest and prudent, very compassionate toward the poor and afflicted, and shining among all the women of that land by the distinction of her good reputation.”
She died at the beginning of the 13th century. She was buried at Caleruega, then in the church of St. Peter at Gumiel de Izán, and afterward at Peñafiel. She now rests at Caleruega, in the province of Burgos.
Leo XII confirmed her cult on Oct. 1, 1828.
Proprium Officiorum Ordinis Praedicatorum ad Normam Decretorum Sacrosancti Oecumenici Concilii Vaticani II Instauratum Vincentii Couesnongle iussu editum, Editio typica, Sanctae Sabinae, Romae 1982.
