St. Dominic was
the founder of the Dominican Order. Domingo Guzman (1170-1221) was born
in Castile. At an early age he became canon of Osma Cathedral and accompanied
his bishop to Languedoc to join the Cistercians in their efforts to convert
the heretical Albigenstans. At the death of the bishop in 1207, Dominic
became prior of the mission, preaching ceaselessly, living a simple life
among the laymen and surrounded by a few companions with whom he prayed,
studied and made penance. Dominic's apostolate failed, but in 1215 he travelled
to the Lateran Council in Rome and the following year obtained approval
from Pope Innocent III to found an order of Friar preachers.
St. Dominic is nearly always depicted wearing the white robes and black
cope of Dominican habit. |
