Saint Dominic

Cross and Crown #15

by Mary Jean Dorcy

He multiplied bread and wine, raised people from the dead, fought the Albigensian Heresy, converted thousands with his preaching, gave the world the Rosary and founded the Dominican Order. In only five years he launched a spiritual movement that changed the shape of history! Impr. 184 pgs, PB

Genres: Biography, History, Catholic, Faith, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

SISTER MARY JEAN DARCY, O.P. was born in Anacortes, Wa. in 1914. She was the youngest of nine children.

She graduated from Anacortes High School in 1931and spent one year at the University of Washington, after which she entered the Dominican novitiate at Everett, Washington, where she made profession in January 1934. She then returned to college at the Jesuits' Gonzaga University in Spokane receiving a BA. Three years later she was awarded a Master of Fine Arts from California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland.

From a single sheet of paper, Sister Mary Jean started cutting continuous flowing silhouettes. By the 1940s, she was recognized as one of the leading American paper cutters. Sister Mary Jean gained a deserved reputation as both a published author and artist.

She once wrote: "The only truly brilliant thing I have ever done was to enter the Dominican Order, that vast storehouse of sanctity, learning and charity which allows even a very small depositer to take out great fortunes of spiritual and intellectual assistance".

Sister Dorcy’s final book, “Spring Comes to the Hill Country,” was a collaboration with Dan Paulos. One of her cuttings is housed in the Smithsonian Institute.

Sister Mary Jean Dorcy died May 5, 1988 after a long struggle with acute arthritis and lung ailments. She had been bedridden for the last 10 years.

Reviews

[Jeff Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read a reliable biography of Saint Dominic and this was recommended to me by a Lay Dominican.

There are plenty of legends regarding this great saint and Doctor of the Church and determining what is reliably historical is made difficult by the lack of documentation and the Dominicans of the time being very lax regarding paperwork. Still, a good deal is known and his life really is quite amazing. A very good read.

[Manny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the great and under appreciated St. Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers. 2016 makes the 800th anniversery of the founding of the Dominican Order, and this is a well worth read to learn about the charasmatic founder, how the order came about, and its early years. Sister Mary Jean Dorcy is clearly an enthusiastic lover of the Order she so proudly belongs to. I read this book because I wanted in some fashion to commemorate the 800th year anniversary and because i wanted to learn more about the Dominicans, the religious order I feel most attracted to.

[J. Wootton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finely phrased, decently organized, and enjoyable to read. Nevertheless, a bad example of biography.

Dorcy (or her editors) seemed to think that the label "popular" is an excuse for citing no more than a handful of assertions per chapter, though many are made; and much research is alluded to, but rarely specifically identified for the reader. "Popular" is simply a style of writing, and scholarly rigor is especially important in a work that purports to be sorting out "saintly tall-tales" from verifiable history and reports miraculous events and visions under both headings.

Dorcy also has a habit of making confident assertions, not apparently based on any records, of what Dominic or his companions must have been thinking or feeling at various points; rather bad form for a biographer.

In sum, this work is more like a glorified, well-written book report than a biography: better suited to delighting those already familiar with Dorcy's source material than to informing the uninitiated.

[Brett's Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course, I'd recommend this account of the life of St. Dominic Guzman who, in a few very short years afforded him, radically changed the Church in the 13th Century and beyond. I thought that Sister Dorcy did a good job balancing the historical Dominic with that of pious legend. I found the story to be very inspiring and while Dominican Spirituality is not exactly my cup of tea, I greatly admire the man who founded the Order of Preachers and inspired so many others to follow in his sacrificial/saintly path. This biography was a bit of a slow burn for me, I read a few pages each day as a part of my spiritual reading for several months and found the presentation enagaging each time I picked it up.

[Paul LaGreca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea that reading Saint Dominic by Sister Mary Jean Dorcy would have such a great impact on me. I have always had a devotion to him, but I never understood why or even understood the details of his life. I only knew that Our Lady had a special love for him and that was good enough for me. I even took his name as my confirmation name.

Sister Mary Jean Dorcy's book came as a total surprise, and I closed the book with a full heart. If you ever want to know what a friend of God looks like, look no further than the life of Saint Dominic.

Saint Dominic, pray for us.

[Richard Grebenc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by an American Dominican nun in the late 1950's, this is a wonderful introduction to St. Dominic. The author takes pains to convey only what can be verified about her order's founder. Beautifully written, it is substantive but not overwhelming. The Epilogue is a special treat as she reviews the Dominican order since the time of its namesake. Recommended as the first (but not last) book to read on Dominic.

[Tricia Bolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clear and readable life of the great and humble saint who founded an order to preach Christ in the streets to the lost. The author shows a great love for St. Dominic evident in her writing as she takes us through the entire life of St. Dominic and the many miracles and struggles of his life, beginning with the vision of his own birth by his blessed mother. An accessible and enjoyable read.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

It ok book on Saint Dominic, The Founder of Order of Preachers. The Dominican. My Father in Faith. And being a member of Laity of Saint Dominic. This a must read. And I read it in one night. It was nice but a very slow read. I have read better books on Saint Dominic.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really a fan of Sr. Dorcy’s writing style. She seems like she might be influenced by modernism because she relates to everything as “legend” rather than tradition which gives you the idea that nothing is really factual. A very modernist thing to do.

[Dr. Mathias Hink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed Reading it

This was the first “Life” of the Saint I was reading and enjoyed it. While I move on to a more scientific reading of St. Dominic now, this one might be the one I always will remember because of its verve!

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This must be the go-to version for the life of Saint Dominic de Guzman and the religious order he founded in the 13th century. Well-researched and well-written, I plowed through this book in just a couple of evenings. The author references a wide range of sources, some dating back to the lifetime of the Saint himself. It charts the establishment and growth of the Dominican Order, and the early institution of the Third Order Dominicans, during the founder's lifetime. Especially engaging and moving is the final chapter, "The Last Testament," detailing the Saint's (spoiler alert) death. A must-read for anyone wishing to learn about the lives of the saints in general, or the Dominican's specifically.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was ok. It served its informational purposes, but was not overly exciting.

[Natasha Childress · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written, easy read, likely to be most enjoyed by members of Dominic's Order. This little book on our spiritual father is one I'm sure I'll treasure for years to come.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have heard his name so often, but I never imagined the greatness of this saint. A very enlightening read!

[Tim Mcmahon · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty decent for a hagiography.