St. Dominic de Guzman
St. Dominic de Guzman, also known as Dominic of Caleruega, was a Spanish-born Catholic priest and founder of the Order of Preachers, commonly known as the Dominican Order. Born in 1170 in Caleruega, Castile, Spain, Dominic’s life was marked by a deep devotion to God, a passion for preaching, and a commitment to spreading the teachings of the Catholic Church. His legacy as a religious leader and educator has had a lasting impact on the Church and continues to inspire many to this day.
Dominic was born into a noble family, with his father being a knight and his mother a member of the Spanish royal family. From a young age, he showed a strong inclination towards the Catholic faith, and his parents ensured that he received a solid religious education. He studied theology and philosophy at the University of Palencia, where he excelled in his studies and showed a keen interest in the Bible and the writings of the Church Fathers.
After completing his studies, Dominic was ordained as a priest in 1196. He then became a canon regular in the Cathedral of Osma, where he dedicated himself to a life of prayer and study. It was during this time that he witnessed the rise of the Albigensian heresy, a sect that rejected the teachings of the Catholic Church and threatened the spiritual well-being of many in Europe.
In response, Dominic joined the efforts of the Bishop of Osma, Diego de Acebo, in preaching against the heresy and converting its followers. The two men travelled throughout southern France, engaging in debates and discussions with the heretics and offering them the true teachings of the Church. However, they soon realized that preaching alone was not enough to combat the heresy, and they needed a dedicated order of men who could devote themselves to the task.
In 1215, Dominic and Bishop Diego established a religious community called the Order of Preachers, with the approval of Pope Innocent III. The members of this order, known as Dominicans, were to live a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience and were dedicated to preaching the Gospel and combating heresies. They were also encouraged to pursue advanced education and engage in scholarly debates to defend the Church’s teachings.
Dominic’s vision for the Order of Preachers was revolutionary for its time. The Dominicans were the first religious order to focus solely on preaching and teaching rather than traditional monastic practices. They also emphasized the importance of education and intellectual pursuits, which earned them the nickname “hound of the Lord” for their pursuit of knowledge and truth.
The Order of Preachers quickly gained popularity and spread throughout Europe, establishing houses in major cities and universities. Dominic himself travelled extensively, preaching and establishing new communities. He also played an important role in the establishment of the Inquisition, a Church institution that aimed to combat heresy and protect the purity of Catholic doctrine.
In addition to his work as a religious leader, Dominic was also known for his kindness, humility, and devotion to service. He was a man of great compassion and worked tirelessly to help the poor and sick, founding hospitals and shelters for those in need. His deep love for God and his fellow human beings was evident in all aspects of his life.
St. Dominic de Guzman died on August 6, 1221, at the age of 51. He was canonized in 1234 by Pope Gregory IX and is now recognized as a saint in the Catholic Church. The Order of Preachers continues to thrive today, with over 6,000 members in more than 80 countries carrying on the legacy of St. Dominic and his commitment to preaching, teaching, and serving others.
St. Dominic de Guzman’s life is a testament to his unwavering faith, dedication to the Church, and passion for preaching. His legacy as the founder of the Order of Preachers has had a lasting impact on the Catholic Church, and his teachings and examples continue to inspire people to live a life of service and devotion to God. St. Dominic’s life is a shining example of how one person’s vision and dedication can have a profound effect on the world.
The Order of Preachers is preparing for the Jubilee celebration on the occasion of the 800 years of its approval. As Dominicans, we know that prayer is essential to enter into the dynamics of renewal and metanoia to which the Jubilee celebration calls us. For this reason, we would like to invite all the Dominican family to join in the praying of the Jubilee prayer, which is translated in different languages on the Jubilee website. (http://www.op.org/en/jubilee/prayer).
God, Father of mercy,
who called your servant Dominic de Guzman to set out in faith
as an itinerant pilgrim and a preacher of grace,
as we prepare to celebrate the Jubilee of the Order
we ask you to pour again into us
the Spirit of the Risen Christ,
that we might faithfully and joyfully proclaim the Gospel of peace,
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
ANNIVERSARY OF THE APPROVAL OF THE ORDER OF PREACHERS
(Taken from the web page of the Order)
Seven hundred and ninety-two years ago today, Pope Honorius III gave official approval of the creation of the Order of Preachers by our Holy Father Dominic. Let us thank God for his blessings on the Order and pray that he will sustain and fortify us. Below is the text of the Bull of approval and an image of the original:
Honorius, bishop, servant of the servants of God, to the beloved sons Dominic, prior of St. Romanus in Toulouse, and his brethren, both present and future, professed in the regular life. In perpetuum.
It is fitting that apostolic protection should be extended to those choosing the religious life, lest temerarious attacks should possibly turn them away from their purpose or, God forbid, destroy the vigour of the sacred religious institute. Wherefore, beloved sons in the Lord, we benevolently assent to your just requests. We take the Church of St. Romanus in Toulouse, where you have given yourselves to the service of God, under the protection of St. Peter and our own, and we secure it with the present written privilege.
In the first place, indeed, we decree that the canonical Order which is known to be established according to God and the Rule of St. Augustine in the said Church should be inviolably preserved forever.
Moreover, that whatever possessions and whatever goods the said church at present justly and canonically possesses or shall be able, the Lord granting, to acquire in the future through the concession of the popes, the liberality of kings or princes, the offerings of the faithful, or other just means, should belong firmly and inviolably to you and your successors. Among these goods, we have deemed it well to name the following: the place itself where the said church is situated, with its properties; the church of Prouille with its properties; the estate of Caussanel with its properties; the church of St. Mary of Lescure with its properties; the hospice in Toulouse, called the Hospice of Arnold Bernard, with its properties; the church of the Holy Trinity in Loubens, with its properties; and the tithes which, in his good and provident liberality, our venerable brother Foulques, the bishop of Toulouse, with the consent of his chapter, has given you, as this is more explicitly contained in his letters.
Also let no one presume to exact or extort from you tithes from the fruits of the lands which you cultivate with your own hands or at your own expense, or from the produce of your animals.
Moreover, you may receive and keep, without opposition from anyone, members of the clergy or the laity who are free men and unencumbered by debt, who flee from the world to enter the religious life.
Furthermore, we prohibit any of your brethren, after they have made profession in your church to depart from it without the permission of their prior, except for the purpose of entering a stricter religious institute. If one should leave, let no one dare to receive him without the authorization of a letter from your community.
In the parochial churches which you hold, you may select priests and present them to the bishop of the diocese, to whom, if they are worthy, the bishop shall entrust the care of souls, so that they may be responsible to him in spiritual matters and to you in temporal matters.
We decree further that no one may impose new and unjust exactions on your church, or promulgate sentences of excommunication or interdict on you or your church without a manifest and just cause. When, however, a general interdict shall be laid on the whole territory, it will be permitted to you to celebrate the divine office behind closed doors, chanting in a low voice, not ringing the bells, and excluding those under excommunication and interdict.
The sacred Chrism, holy oils, the consecration of altars or basilicas, and the ordination of clerics who are to be promoted to holy orders, you shall obtain from the bishop of the diocese, so long as he is a Catholic and in grace and communion with the most holy Roman See and is willing to impart these to you without any irregularity. Otherwise, you may approach any Catholic bishop you may choose, provided he be in grace and communion with the Apostolic See; and armed with our authority, he may impart to you what you petition.
Moreover, we grant this place freedom of burial. Let no one, then, place an obstacle to the devotion and last will of those who choose to be buried there, provided they are not excommunicated or under interdict. However, the just rights of the churches from which the corpses are taken must be safeguarded.
When you, who are now the Prior of this place, or any of your successors shall go out of office, no one shall be appointed by secret craftiness or violence; but only he whom the brethren, by common agreement, or whom those brethren who are of more mature and sound judgment shall choose to elect according to God and the Rule of St. Augustine.
Furthermore, the liberties, ancient immunities, and reasonable customs granted to your church and observed up to this time, we ratify and command that they shall endure inviolably for all future time. We decree, therefore, that no one may rashly disturb the aforementioned church, take away its possessions or, having removed, keep them, diminish them, or harass them by any kind of molestation, but all these goods shall be preserved intact entirely for the control, sustenance, and use of those for whom they have been granted, saving the authority of the Apostolic See and the canonical rights of the diocesan bishop.
If, therefore, in the future any ecclesiastical or secular person whosoever, having knowledge of this our document, shall rashly attempt to contravene it, and if, after a second or third admonition, he refuses to correct his fault by fitting satisfaction, let him forfeit the dignity of his power and honor; and let him know that he shall stand guilty of the perpetrated evil before God’s judgment and shall be denied the most sacred Body and Blood of our God and Lord, our Saviour Jesus Christ, and shall, at the last judgment, be delivered to strict vengeance. Nevertheless, may all those who uphold the rights of the said place have the peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, receive the fruit of good action here on earth, and, before the Just Judge, receive the rewards of eternal peace. Amen, amen, amen. (I, Honorius, Bishop of the Catholic Church)
Given at Rome at St. Peter, by the hand of Ranerio, Prior of Santo Fridiano in Lucca, Vice-Chancellor of the holy Roman Church, on the eleventh of the kalends of January, the fifth indiction, the 1216th year of Our Lord Incarnation, the first year of the Lord Pope, Honorius III.
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