| Saint
Dominic was born into nobility in Calarvega, Spain c. 1170 , died 1221. During his
lifetime, he was a champion for the Church against the Albigensians - a fight which was
aided by the Blessed Mother. He founded the order which is known today as the Dominicans. The
life of St. Dominic was one of tireless effort in the, service of God. While he journeyed
from place to place he prayed and preached almost uninterruptedly. - His penances were of
such a nature as to cause the brethren, who accidentally discovered them. to fear the
effect upon his life. While his charity was boundless he never permitted it to interfere
with the stern sense of duty that guided every action of his life. If he abominated heresy
and laboured untiringly for its extirpation it was because he loved truth and loved the
souls of those among whom he laboured. He never failed to distinguish between sin and the
sinner. It is not to be wondered at, therefore, if this athlete of Christ, who had
conquered himself before attempting the reformation of others, was more than once chosen
to show forth the power of God. The failure of the fire at Fanjeaux to consume the
dissertation he had employed against the heretics, and which was thrice thrown into the
flames; the raising to life of Napoleone Orsini; the appearance of the annals in the
refectory of Saint Sixtus in response to his prayers, a . re but a few of the supernatural
happenings by which God was pleased to attest the eminent holiness of His servant. We are
not surprised, therefore, that, after signing the Bull of canonization on 13 July, 1234,
Gregory IX declared that he no more doubted the saintliness of Saint Dominic than he did
that of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
JOHN B. O'CONNER THE CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPAEDIA |
