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Saint Dominic de Guzman
Founder of the Dominican Order of Preachers (O.P.)

Scott #509
 Painted by: Scuola Senese

Scott #510
 Painted by: Fra Angelico

Scott #511
 Painted by Tiziano

Scott #512
 Painted by El Greco 
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Saint Dominic de Guzman was born on August 8, 1170 in the village of Caleruega, Castile (Spain). His parents were of noble heritage. He was well educated in the arts and theology. His Uncle was a Bishop and mentored him from an early age. At age 24 he was ordained and shortly thereafter became a Canon in the Cathedral of Osma, Spain. He was very close to Bishop Diego de Acebo. Together, they went on a mission trip to Denmark. On their return they stopped in Rome. Saint Dominic asked Pope Innocent II for permission to evangelize the northern European pagans. Pope Innocent II declined his request. Instead, Pope Innocent II requested St. Dominic to preach against the Albigensian heresy that was prevalent throughout Europe in the 11th through 13th centuries. The Albigensian heresy taught that all worldly goods were essentially evil.

St. Dominic saw the need of well-schooled preachers to combat heresies among the faithful. According to St. Dominic, study of scripture, church teaching and preaching went together. He did not believe in forcing to change minds. He is quoted as saying “The enemies of the faith cannot be overcome like that; instead arm ourselves with prayer instead of a sword; be clothed with humility instead of fine garments”. For the most part, the clergy in the time of St. Dominic limited the instruction to the people to the recitation of the Apostle’s Creed and the Our Father on Sundays, with occasional short commentaries. The lack of instruction and preaching lead to many problems among the faithful. St. Dominic had a vision of the Blessed Mother. The Order became a strong advocate of the rosary. One has to consider that at the time of St. Dominic most of the population were unlettered. The Rosary gave them some attachment to the writings of scripture and a presence of Jesus Christ in their life.

In 1216 St. Dominic proposed to Pope Honorius II the establishment of an order of mendicant (given to begging) friars and religious sisters. The charisms of the new order were prayer, study, common life and a ministry of preaching. They were to be contemplative preachers. St. Dominic taught his friars the art of reaching the hearts of people by instilling them with a love of men. Once after delivering a stirring sermon, he was asked in what book he had studied it. “In none”, he answered, “but that of love”. It was said that nothing disturbed the even temper of St. Dominic except his quick sympathy with every sort of suffering. It was easy to see from his friendly and joyous countenance that he was at peace inwardly.

Two significant Dominican theologians in the 20th Century were Cardinal Yves Congar, O.P. and Edward Schillebeecks, O.P.

Friar Schillebeecks had controversies with the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith on a number of issues. These were rejected by the magisterium, but he nor his writings were ever censured.

St. Dominic died on August 6th, 1221 and was canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1234.

There are 70 canonized Dominican saints.

See reference to a Wikipedia narrative on Vietnam Martyrs, many of whom were Dominican and Jesuit missionaries along with lay individuals.

References: 
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_Martyrs">Vietnam Martyrs</a> Wiikepedia 
<li><a href="https://www.op.org/">Dominican Order of Preachers</a> 
<li>Saint Dominic, Britannica 
<li><a href="https://catholicism.org/st-dominic.html">Saint Dominci de Guzman</a>

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