Dominic, Saint

(1170-1221)

   Born in Calaruega, Spain, St. Dominic was educated in the University of Palencia and appointed canon of Osma in 1199. In 1203, he accompanied the bishop of Osma to Languedoc where he preached against the heresies of the local Albigensians, a religious sect condemned by the papacy. In 1208, the Albigensians murdered the papal legate Peter of Castelnan and, in retaliation, Pope Innocent III launched a crusade against them. Saint Dominic followed the papal army and preached to the heretics in the hopes of converting them. In 1214, Count Simon IV of Montfort, who headed the crusade, gave Dominic a castle at Casseneuil where he and six of his followers established the Dominican Order.Two years later, the order received papal approval. Dominic spent the rest of his days traveling in Italy, Spain, and France, attracting new followers and establishing new Dominican houses. He died in Bologna where he went to convoke the first general council of his order. He was canonized in 1234.