We'll cover the most important events in the life of St. Dominic in this article series, that will help us understand and appreciate our faith.
St. Dominic, also known as Dominic of Osma born around 1170 in Caleruega. Caleruega is a small village in Spain near Osma in Castilla la Vieja (in English know as Old Castile. It's a historic region in the center-north of spain). Dominic of Osma was named after a know patron saint of hopeful mothers and astronomers, St. Dominic of Silos.
Some legends tell about St. Dominic's mother visions, such as the dream that she saw before the birth of St. Dominic, she saw a dog jumped out from her body carrying a torch in his mouth. Another famous vision is about a star shining from his chest at his baptism, this is why he is the patron of astronomers.
St. Dominic was born to a religious family, he wasn't the only child who choose priesthood. Two of his brothers were studying priesthood when he born. Later, Dominic entered the university of Palencia (City in the north of Spain).
St. Dominic devoted his first 6 years to the arts and 4 to theology. Arts in Christian faith is known for hundreds of years as we see in the holy land olive wood carvings. This reminds us of the Pope's words "where there is truth, beauty must emerge" Pope Benedict XVI on November 6, 2010)
While Dominic was studying, a famine and starvation his Spain. Dominic was selling his books to feed the poor, and some says that he offered himself as a slave. All this was made to feed the poor! His friends and companions didn't understand how could he do such a thing! how could he sell his precious books! He replied: "Would you have me study off these dead skins, when men are dying of hunger?"
Dominic also spent many years fighting heresies and false teachings, such as the Cathars. It's a sect that among other false teachings they have, they ordained women as well as men.
Next time we will talk about the foundation of the Dominican Order and Dominic's later life.
