St. Dominic essays

St. Dominic essays Dominic de Guzman was born in Calarago, Spain, in 1170. His parents were Joan of Anza and Felix de Guzman. Before his mother conceived him, she saw in a vision that a dog with a burning torch in its mouth would come forth from her womb and set the world aflame. At his baptism, his grandmother saw a star on his forehead. As a student, he sold his books to feed the poor in a famine, and offered himself in ransom for a slave. At the age of twenty-five he became superior of the Canons Regular of Osma, and accompanied his Bishop to France. There the ravages of the Albigensian heresy broke his heart, and his life was from now on devoted to the conversion of heretics and the defense of his faith. For this end he established his threefold religious Order. The convent for nuns was founded first, to rescue young girls from heresy and crime. Then a company of apostolic men gathered around him, and became the Order of Friar Preachers. Lastly came the Tertiaries, persons of both sexes living in the world. God blessed the new Order, and France, Italy, Spain, and England welcomed the Preaching Friars. Our Lady took them under her special protection, and whispered to St. Dominic as he preached. It was in 1208, while St. Dominic knelt in the little chapel of Notre Dame de la Prouille and prayed to the Mother of God to save the Church, Mary appeared to him, gave him the Rosary, and bade him go forth and preach. He revived the courage of the Catholic troops, led them to victory against overwhelming numbers, and finally crushed the heresy. His nights were spent in prayer; and, though pure as a virgin, thrice before morning broke, he scourged himself to blood. His words rescued many souls, and three times raised the dead to life. At length, on August 6, 1221, at the age of 51, Dominic de Guzman died. One symbol of his life is the star. Again, by his life and preaching, Dominic became a beacon light, guiding souls to Christ. In his s...