St. Dominic: Founder of the Order of Preachers
Quick answer
St. Dominic de Guzmán (1170–1221) was a Spanish priest who founded the Order of Preachers, the Dominicans, approved in 1216. Seeing that people in southern France had been led away from the faith, he resolved to win them back by preaching, study and a poor, holy life. He founded the first community of Dominican nuns at Prouille. Tradition links him closely with the Rosary. His feast is August 8.
Key takeaways
- As a student in Spain he sold his books to feed the poor during a famine.
- He preached for years in southern France, living in poverty.
- Pope Honorius III approved his Order of Preachers in 1216.
- The Dominican motto is "to contemplate and to give to others the fruits of contemplation."
St. Dominic believed that the truth of the Gospel should be preached with love, by people who lived as poorly and humbly as the apostles. That simple idea gave the Church one of her great religious orders.
A Generous Student
Dominic de Guzmán was born around 1170 in Caleruega, in Castile, Spain. While studying at Palencia, a famine struck. Dominic sold his books, precious handwritten volumes, to feed the hungry, saying he would not study on dead skins while people were dying of hunger. He became a canon of the cathedral of Osma, living in community and prayer.
Preaching in Southern France
Traveling with his bishop through southern France, Dominic found that many people had followed the Albigensians, also called Cathars, who taught that the material world was evil. Their preachers lived austerely, while many churchmen sent to answer them traveled with great display.
Dominic saw that people would listen only to preachers whose lives matched their words. He walked barefoot, begged his food, and spent years preaching, debating and praying. Stories tell of him praying all night and of his joy and gentleness with everyone.
The Order of Preachers
In 1206 he founded a community of women at Prouille, the first Dominican nuns, whose prayer supported the preaching. In 1215 he gathered a band of preachers at Toulouse. In 1216 Pope Honorius III approved the Order of Preachers.
Dominic sent his friars out, two by two, to the great university cities, Paris, Bologna and beyond, so that they would be well educated. The order grew rapidly.
The Rosary
A long and beloved tradition says that Our Lady gave Dominic the Rosary as a means of conversion. Historians point out that the Rosary took shape over several centuries. But the Dominicans did a great deal to spread it, and the Rosary has been dear to the order from its beginnings.
His Prayer
Early friars recorded the Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic: bowing, lying prostrate, kneeling, standing with hands raised, reading Scripture, walking and more. His whole body prayed.
Dominic died in Bologna on August 6, 1221, at about 51. He told his brothers not to weep, for he would be more useful to them after death. He was canonized in 1234.
A Prayer to St. Dominic (Original Prayer)
St. Dominic, you preached the truth with love. Pray for preachers, teachers and all who share the faith. Help me to pray the Rosary faithfully and to live what I believe. Amen.
Continue Reading
Read about Dominicans St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Catherine of Siena and St. Rose of Lima, or pray the Rosary for today.
Frequently asked questions
When is the feast of St. Dominic?
August 8.
Did St. Dominic invent the Rosary?
A long tradition says that Our Lady gave the Rosary to St. Dominic. Historians note that the Rosary developed gradually, and Dominicans did much to spread it. Popes have praised Dominic's role in this devotion.
What is the Dominican order known for?
Preaching, teaching and study. Famous Dominicans include St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Rose of Lima and St. Martin de Porres.
Sources
- Blessed Jordan of Saxony, Libellus on the Beginnings of the Order of Preachers
- The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic (thirteenth century)
- Pope Honorius III, Bull of approval (December 22, 1216)
