St. Dominic
Feast Day: August 8
In the thirteenth century, a false belief spread like wildfire across southern France. The Albigensians believed and taught that all matter, such as the human body, is evil. In doing so, these heretics denied the humanity of Jesus.
But many heretical leaders led lives of great purity. They fasted and lived simply. The Christians in France saw this. They also saw that many Catholic priests did not live simply. So the peasants of southern France turned to the Albigensians.
At this point, Dominic came on the scene. Born in Spain in 1170, he became a priest around 1194. In 1203, he accompanied another priest to France. There Dominic met, firsthand, the Albigensians.
Dominic had studied his religion. He knew that the human body is good. God created it, and Jesus took on human flesh. So Dominic began to preach this good news to the Albigensians. Unlike many other priests, he ate and dressed simply. He rode no horse. He walked from place to place, preaching the good news.
Soon a group of men gathered around Dominic. They, too, wanted to study and then preach. He formed them into the Order of Preachers, which became known as the Dominicans. For many years the Dominicans preached against the Albigensian heresy. Finally, their preaching and their simplicity won the hearts of the heretics.
Dominic died in 1221, at the age of 51. Like his contemporary—Saint Francis of Assisi—Dominic saw a need in the Church and stepped forward to serve. His Dominicans continue to serve the People of God to this day.
Connecting to Faith First® Legacy Edition
Grade 6, chapter 15
Junior High, Church History, chapter 6
Connecting to Faith First®
Junior High, Creed and Prayer, chapter 1
Junior High, Liturgy and Morality, chapter 22