Saint of the day - August 8
Saint Dominic was born in Caleruega, Spain in 1170. His father was Felix Guzman and his mother, Bl. Joan of Aza, was a holy woman in her own right.
According to a legend, Dominic’s mother made a pilgrimage to an abbey at Silos and she had many signs of the great child she would bear. It is believed that he was named after St. Dominic de Silos, a Spanish monk who lived a century before.
Dominic studied theology and arts in Palencia, and was widely acclaimed as an exemplary student by his professors.
In 1191, a famine left many people desolate and homeless across Spain. Dominic sold everything he had, including his furniture and clothes to buy food for the poor.
On two occasions, Dominic even attempted to sell himself into slavery to the Moors to obtain the freedom of others.
In 1194, Dominic joined a Benedictine order, the Canons Regular in Osma. He became the superior of the chapter in 1201.
Dominic and his bishop Diego de Acebo travelled to Rome in late 1204. Pope Innocent III asked them to go to southern France, the region of Languedoc, to convert heretics back to the true faith.
At that time, the Albigensian heresy was flourishing across the region. When Dominic debated the heretics, they could not defend themselves. Hence, many heretics threatened him with violence. Despite the threats, Dominic travelled throughout the region, preaching and converting many back to Catholic Christian faith and practice.
Dominic established a convent at Prouille in 1206, which would become the first Dominican house. Bishop Diego and Dominic established their headquarters there. The monastery remains to this day as the Notre-Dame-de-Prouille Monastery.
According to a legend, St. Dominic received a Rosary from Virgin Mary during an apparition at the abbey in Prouille, in 1214.
Dominic became famous as a result of his mercy and his work. Several other prominent religious figures of the time petitioned for Dominic to be made bishop. However, he refused at least three such attempts to promote him.
Dominic remained steadfast to his mission to establish an order dedicated to promoting morality and the expulsion of heresy. In July 1215, he was granted permission to form his own religious order for this purpose. His order was confirmed on December 22, 1216, and in 1217, Pope Honorius III named the order as "The Order of Preachers."
Shortly afterwards, the Pope elevated Dominic to the rank of "Master of the Sacred Palace." The position has been occupied by Dominican preachers since Dominic himself in 1218.
When Pope Honorius III noted that the religious orders for women in Rome were becoming lax in their discipline, he assigned Dominic the task of bringing them together to restore discipline. Dominic accomplished this mission and the Pope rewarded him with a new church, the basilica of Santa Sabina. The basilica remains the headquarters of the Dominican order to this day.
Dominic chose for himself only the most meagre of provisions. His accommodations and clothes were described as "mean." He refused to sleep on a bed, and used to walk barefooted through towns, regardless of the path. Dominic constantly prayed, and whenever faced with discomfort, he used to praise God.
His only possessions were a small bundle and a staff. In his bundle, he kept a copy of the Gospel of Matthew and the Epistles of St. Paul, which he would read over and over again. Dominic always drew great crowds wherever he went.
In July 1221, Dominic fell ill with fever. He asked to be laid on the ground, still refusing a bed. He exhorted his brothers to keep a spirit of humility and charity. After several weeks of illness, he made the last confession and a will, then passed away on August 6, at the age of 51.
Pope Gregory IX canonized Dominic on July 13, 1234. He is venerated as the patron saint of astronomers, the Dominican Republic, and the innocent who are falsely accused of crimes.
Other Saints of the Day
1. Saint Mary MacKillop
2. Saint Leobald
3. Saint Altman
4. Saint Ellidius
5. Saint Ternatius
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