By Julian Tomaselli ST DOMINIC

Born: 1170 Death: 21st December 1218 Canonised: July 13, 1234

Dominic was born in Caleruega in 1170, halfway between Osma and Aranda de Duero in Old Castile, Spain. He was the son of Felix and Joan. He was named after Saint Dominic of Silos. Since there were no schools in Caleruega, he went and lived with his uncle in a nearby town called Palencia. There he went to the University of Palencia where Dominic spent six years in the arts and four in theology. In 1191 there was a famine in Spain and Dominic gave away his money, furniture and clothes to help the poor.

FOUNDATION OF THE DOMINICANS In 1203 Bishop Diego de Avezedo and Dominic preached against the Albigensians. Dominic and the bishop travelled all over Europe to preach and pass on the word of God with women and men following him and preaching with him. Dominic was granted authority in December 1216 and January 1217 by the new pope, Honorius III for an order to be named The Order of Preachers more commonly known as the Dominican Order. On the 21st December 1218 Dominic died in Bologna in the church San Nicolò of the Vineyards. Then he was moved into a simple sarcophagus in He was soon canonised in July 13, 1234, by Pope Gregory IX at Rieti, Italy.

WHY I CHOSE THIS SAINT I chose St Dominic because firstly, St Dominic is the school I go to. Secondly, I also admire all his work and generosity and how he helped the poor when there was a famine. I also admire how St Dominic passed on the word of God.

WHY ST DOMINIC CHOSE THIS PATH Dominic's love of learning and his vision for justice, is shown in a story of his student days. He had gathered a collection of religious books inscribed on parchment; these he greatly treasured, but one day he sold the whole lot so he could give the money to the poor people. "I could not bear to prize dead skins," he said, "when living skins were starving and in need."

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