St. Dominic Revisited

Today is the memorial of St. Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers, the Dominicans. 

Born in Caleruega, Spain, as Dominic de Guzman, he first served as a priest at the Cathedral of Osma. A journey with his bishop exposed him to the spread of the Albigensian heresy, and he felt a burning call to form an order of preachers for the salvation of souls.

Even before his birth, God seemed to place a prophetic sign over his life. His mother, Blessed Joan de Aza, had a dream while pregnant: a dog ran across a dry field carrying a torch, and as it ran, the fire spread across the field. A spiritual director interpreted it as a symbol of her son’s mission, to set the world ablaze with the truth of Christ.

In 1206, Dominic founded a contemplative order of nuns, and by 1216, he established the Dominican Order. He died in 1221, but the fire he lit continues to burn wherever the Gospel is preached with zeal and clarity. That dry field from his mother’s dream can be seen as the parched hearts of those thirsting for God, waiting for the spark of truth to bring them life.

I hope you learned something about him. 

God bless

-Pal Ronnie-