The Life of St. Dominic

by Augusta Theodosia Drane

St. Dominic of Osma (1170 – 1221), was a Castilian priest and founder of the Dominican Order.

This work gives a comprehensive unbiased history of St. Dominic, one of the most famous Catholic preachers, drawing from all known records of his life.

St. Dominic was the first-child of the barren woman who dreamt that a dog leapt from her womb carrying a flaming torch in its mouth, and it "seemed to set the earth on fire." Domini is Latin for dog and the vision was seen as foretelling his future life as a fiery preacher.

He took up a religious education around 1190 in Spain, however his studies were interrupted by a famine in which he sold all his clothes and books to help feed the poor. One he had his degree he became an aide to the local Bishop who had him preach against various heretical Christian groups with the hope of bringing people back to the Catholic faith. He setup a strict monastic rule of prayers and penance for himself and his followers and set about his mission.

St. Dominic and his disciples were enormously successful in their mission. St. Dominic preached throughout Europe and established brotherhoods everywhere he went. He is also credited with the spread of the Rosary.

Genres: Biography, Catholic, Religion, Nonfiction

505 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1857

About the author

In religion MOTHER FRANCIS RAPHAEL, O.S.D.; b. at Bromley near London, in 1823; d. at Stone, Staffordshire, 19 April, 1894. Her parents were both Protestants, her father being managing partner in an East India mercantile house. Her remarkable natural gifts were developed by wide reading at a very early age. In 1837 she moved with her family to Babbicombe, Devonshire, where she read much of the early literature of the Oxford Movement. Burnet's "History of the Reformation", she declared, was the real cause of her conversion. It was not, however, till 1847 that she grew uneasy as to her religious beliefs, whereupon she consulted Keble and Pusey, but without satisfaction. The influence of Maskell, then Vicar of St. Mary Church, helped her more and she confided to him a scheme called "Ideal of a Religious Order". He told her that such an order existed in the Catholic Church, naming the Third Order of St. Dominic. This made a profound impression on her mind and gradually she was drawn to the Church. She was received at Tiverton, 3 July, 1850, and in 1852 entered the Third Order of St. Dominic at Clifton. On 8 Dec., 1853, she was professed at the new convent of Stone, Staffordshire, and was there employed in teaching and in writing various books, meanwhile making great spiritual progress. In 1860 she was appointed mistress of novices, but in 1863 became mistress of studies instead, thus obtaining more leisure for writing. In 1872 she became prioress under her friend, Mother Imelda Poole, and on the death of the latter in 1881 succeeded her as provincial (25 Nov., 1881), thus taking charge of the whole congregation and the convents of Stoke-on-Trent, Bow, and St. Mary Church. Her character was well summed up by Bishop Ullathorne, when he described her as "one of those many-sided characters who can write a book, draw a picture, rule an Order, guide other souls, superintend a building, lay out grounds, or give wise and practical advice with equal facility and success." She continued to grow in remarkable sanctity till her death, which took place a fortnight after she had ceased to be provincial.

Her works include: "The Morality of Tractarianism" (1850), published anonymously; "Catholic Legends and Stories" (1855); "Life of St. Dominic" (1857); "Knights of St. John" (1858); "Three Chancellors, Wykeham, Waynflete and More" (1859); "Historical Tales" (1862); "Tales and Traditions" (1862); "History of England for Family Use" (1864); "Christian Schools and Scholars" (1867); "Biographical Sketch of Hon. H. Dormer" (1868); "Songs in the Night" (1876); "New Utopia" (1876); "History of St. Catherine of Siena" (1880); "History of St. Dominic" (1891); "The Spirit of the Dominican Order" (1896), and some smaller pieces. She translated the "Inner Life of Père Lacordaire" (1868), edited a "Life of Mother Margaret Mary Hallahan" (1869), "Archbishop Ullathorne's Autobiography" (1891), and "Letters of Archbishop Ullathorne" (1892).

Reviews

[Manny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent biography of the famous saint which includes many of the events that led to the institution of the Order of Preachers, otherwise unofficially known as the Dominican Order, and the early members that shaped what is probably the most intellectual of all the religious orders. The book has a nice mix of solid historical facts and what I would say are hagiographic facts (super natural miracles), which I guess you can believe or not. Augusta Theodosia Drane’s prose is quite good though at times reflects the Victorian style – originally published in 1857 – of her day. What she captures most is the humility of the saint – he refused to have the order named after himself – and the sort of magnetic attraction his followers had for him. It is sometimes said St. Dominic “befriended” an order rather than found it. The explosion of Dominican friars after the 1216 founding is remarkable and can be attributed to St. Dominic himself on the strength of his humble charisma. And St. Dominic understood the dire need for a religious order that would engage the general population, preach the Word, and evangelize the fallen away. We are in such a need today. Not as much is known of St. Dominic as for instance his contemporary and counterpart, St. Francis of Assisi, but what is known Drane skillfully weaves into a narrative.

[Francis E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful biography of the life of St. Dominic! In this book one can learn about St. Dominic’s life of study, prayer, penance, and preaching. The author includes many stories of Dominic’s journeys, miracles, and actions in regards to the Order. St. Dominic converses with St. Francis on multiple occasions, and has close tie to the pope. Highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to know more about the life of St. Dominic.

[Gerald Greene]

Very helpful book. I didn't know the role he played with regard to the use of the Rosary.

[Fr. Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was beautiful!! Profoundly impacting.

Warning though! It is not all true - there are common "legends" like St. Francis and St. Dominic meeting, which modern scholars don't see as having happened. For an up-to-date biography, see Saint Dominic: The Grace of The Word by Fr. Guy Bedouelle.