Our Founder: St Dominic
Dominic Guzman was born in Caleruega, northern Spain around 1173.
Dominic was educated for the priesthood and was invited to become a Canon of the Cathedral at Osma in Spain. After journeys to Denmark and Rome, as companion of his diplomat Bishop, Diego Acebes, Diego and Dominic were convinced that they had a new mission – to bring the gospel message to the market place as PREACHERS, firstly among the people who followed the Albigensian Heresy.
Consequently between 1206 - 1216 a Gospel-inspired community of both men and women, priests, lay people and religious, gathered around Dominic in the south of France, at Prouilhe, near Toulouse. When Dominic died in Bologna in 1221, the Order of Preachers, made up of priests, nuns, lay brothers and laity - a new movement in the Church - was well established in many European countries. Dominic was canonised in 1234.
Dominic, Preacher of Grace
Winnowed of greed and falsehood,
Mirroring truth and goodness
In every sphere of life.
Caressed by compassion and mercy,
Visioning many grace-filled followers,
Men and women of the Word,
Ablaze with God’s dream.
Reaching out to new frontiers
With steady torch of truth held high,
Steeped in prayer night and day,
Releasing streams of light.
Lies in wait for those who live
Deeply rooted and formed in the Word,
Watered by God’s abundant grace,
Daily living Dominic’s dream.
Preachers of grace in our time,
Beaming the blessings of our faithful God.
Brenda Walsh OP, Racine, Wisconsin
Slideshow
A selection of images of St Dominic de Guzman gathered from our own resources or downloaded from the internet
Video Presentation
"Dominican Holy Places in Fanjeaux"
A short presentation, prepared by Sr Barbara Beaumont OP from S.H.O.P. Photography by Sr Veronica Rosier OP.