Dominic, Saint (1170?-1221), was a Spanish priest who founded the Order of Preachers, commonly known as the Dominican friars. Dominic’s order exercised great influence over the religious and intellectual life of Europe through the 1600’s. See Dominicans.
Dominic was born in Calaruega in northern Spain. He studied at the University of Palencia and then became a canon (priest attached to a cathedral) at Osma. Dominic opposed a group of Christians called Albigenses, whose teachings were considered heresy (contrary to accepted Christian teachings). See Albigenses.
In 1216, Pope Honorius III granted Dominic permission to found a new religious order for the purpose of preaching against heresy. Dominic died on Aug. 6, 1221. By the time of his death, his order had spread throughout Europe. In 1234, Pope Gregory IX declared Dominic a saint. Dominic’s feast day is August 8.
