Our Holy Father Dominic, Priest
Solemnity
Dominic was born at Caleruega in Spain around the year 1172–73. He devoted himself to theological studies at Palencia and was distinguished by his mercy toward the poor. As a canon of Osma, he grew in the love of prayer and in prudence of government while serving as subprior in 1201.
In the region of Toulouse, disturbed by the Albigensian heresy, he became a devoted minister of preaching in 1206. By the example of evangelical poverty and by fraternal dialogue in doctrine, he introduced a new way of proposing the faith, approved by Innocent III. Valuing highly the role of women in the work of evangelization, he founded for them the monastery of Prouilhe in 1206, so that it might provide them a place for spiritual growth and offer assistance — or, as circumstances required, refuge — to the preachers.
Receiving into his hands the offering of certain companions in the “Preaching of Jesus Christ,” he established the first conventual fraternity at Toulouse in 1215, thus laying the foundations of the new Order.
Expanding canonical life into apostolic life under the Rule of Augustine in 1216, he undertook for himself and for the Order the ministry of the word, which at that time belonged only to bishops. Honorius III approved the Order on Dec. 22, 1216. Then, having been assured in Rome of the universal mission of this Order on Jan. 18, 1217, trusting in the grace of God and relying on the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he dispersed the brothers throughout Europe on Aug. 15, 1217, especially to Paris and Bologna, then the principal centers of study. He reserved for himself the difficult mission in the regions of northern Italy troubled by the Cathar heresy.
“He always spoke with God,” so that from this he might effectively “speak about God.” While he handed God on to others through fervent preaching, by the power of prayer he drew people to God.
“Wherever he was, he showed himself to be a man of the Gospel in word and deed. Among the brothers and his companions, no one was more approachable, no one more joyful; he was the best and greatest consoler.”
He died at Bologna on Aug. 6, 1221. Gregory IX, who as cardinal bishop of Ostia had known him very familiarly, enrolled him among the saints on July 3, 1234.
Proprium Officiorum Ordinis Praedicatorum ad Normam Decretorum Sacrosancti Oecumenici Concilii Vaticani II Instauratum Vincentii Couesnongle iussu editum, Editio typica, Sanctae Sabinae, Romae 1982.
