Dominic was the founder of the Order of Preachers, commonly known as the Dominicans (or Black Friars). Educated by an uncle, he later went to Palencia. In 1191 during a famine he sold his books and other possessions to help the poor. In 1199 he became a canon of the cathedral of Osma. The church in Spain was strong and united in the face of a significant Moslem presence and the bishop expected his canons to follow the rule of St Augustine. In 1201 Dominic became sub-prior of the community. When he traveled with his Bishop to Rome, passing through France they found the church there complacent, wealthy and very corrupt.

At this time, the ideas of St Francis of poverty, chastity and selfless love shown in service to others, were sweeping Europe. Dominic felt called to preach to those who wanted to abandon the church for popular but heretical ascetic sects, like the Albigensians and Waldensians. Dominic wanted to restore them to the church. In 1208 official opposition to the Albigensians turned into a vicious crusade, and what began as theological opposition erupted into a war of conquest and the pursuit of political power. Dominic declined to have anything to do with their massacre.

Dominic worked from two principles: conversion by persuasive preaching and dialogue, and, taking to heart the example of his opponents, a godly simplicity of life-style. During the war he set up a convent of women at Prouille as an example of a true Christian community. Then he decided to found an order of preachers. He sought and eventually got papal approval in 1216. Dominic spent the next 5 years establishing friaries and organising the order, so committed to his vision that 3 times he declined to become a bishop. By 1220 his order had spread over much of Europe.

Dominic used the rule of St Augustine, since it offered him the flexibility to develop the distinctive character of his order, which differed from the older monastic orders. It was established in the growing cities, especially university centres. It differed from the the Franciscans, by its strong emphases on study as a pre-requisite for good preaching. This perhaps was Dominic’s most important legacy: the establishment of an order dedicated to serious theological study and the communication of the gospel through sound teaching. His reported involvement with the Inquistion is incorrect, it wasn't formed until after his death.

BORN:1170, Castile, Spain

DIED:1221, Bologna, Italy.