On August 8, the Church celebrates the feast of St.
Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers, often referred to as the
Dominicans.
Dominic de Guzman (1170 - 1221) was a man who was steeped in the Word of God and received Papal
permission to found an Order dedicated specifically to preaching. Up to that point in history, the only ones permitted to
preach were the bishops.
He and his followers, both women and men, were on fire
with the love of the Word of God and the desire to share the fruits of their
contemplation with a world in flux.
Unlike their predecessors who gave witness to the Gospel
through the monastic life, Dominic and his band of followers made the world
their cell.
The city was their cathedral and the streets were their
pulpit. The joys and sufferings of all peoples were the living Scriptures
which would inspire their prayer and
their preaching. Preaching and healing went hand in hand.
There are thousands of Dominican sisters, brothers,
priests, and nuns serving worldwide. You might be interested in finding out
about my congregation, the Dominican Sisters of Hope. Visit www.ophope.org.
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Jo-Ann Iannotti, OP