Aug. 8 Memorial of St. Dominic, Priest, Memorial

Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Dominic (1170-1221). At the end of the twelfth century the Church in France was ravaged by the Albigensian heresy, a doctrine which was not only entirely unchristian but which, in addition, constituted a social evil. Effective measures were required to be taken to combat it. Where others had failed, a Spanish canon, St. Dominic Guzman, succeeded. He was notable for his learning and love of poverty. The Order of Preachers (Dominicans), which he founded about the year 1215, was endowed by him with these two characteristics; instead of manual labor, as practiced by the Cistercian monks, he required his friars to work with their minds by preaching and teaching. He died at Bologna on August 6, 1221. His friend, Gregory IX, canonized him three years later.