SAINT DOMINIC
S.Pater Dominicus
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Dominic Guzman was born at Calaruega in Castile in c.1172-1173. After completing his studies at Palencia, where he became known for his compassion towards the poor, he was ordained a priest and became a Canon Regular in the Cathedral Chapter of Osma. He became Superior in 1201, proving himself assiduous in prayer and prudent in regard to the regular life. While on a diplomatic mission with his bishop, Diego d'Azevedo, he experienced first hand the Albigensian heresy, which was at that time widespread in southern France. From that time on, he determined to dedicate his life to the ministry of preaching and to live a life of evangelical poverty; thus with the approval of Pope Innocent III (1206) he took up the work of spreading the faith.
He was supported in his work by a monastery of nuns which he founded at Prouille for this purpose and in order to provide a refuge for a number of women. Convinced of the need for a group of trained preachers who would spread the truth of the Gospel by their preaching and teaching, and would live in apostolic poverty, in 1215 at Toulouse Dominic organized his fellow preachers into a new religious Order, which was formally approved by Pope Honorius IlI on 22nd December 1216. Having become more convinced of the universality of the mission of his Order in Rome on 18th January 1217, trusting in God and supported by the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he dispersed his small band throughout Europe on 15th August 1217. They went especially to Paris and Bologna, the most important centres of learning; Dominic reserved to himself the most burdensome task of preaching in those areas of northern Italy infested with the Cathar heresy.
It was said of Saint Dominic that ‘he either spoke with God or about God ': while preaching God fervently, he also drew men to God by his life of prayer. 'He showed himself everywhere, by word and example, to be a man of the Gospel. Whether with his brethren or companions no-one was more sociable and happy; he was the highest and best consoler. ' He died in Bologna on 6th August 1221 and was canonized on 3rd July 1234 by Pope Gregory IX, who had known him well as a Cardinal.