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The Life of Saint Dominic
In the Life of St. Dominic, Father Bede Jarrett, one of the truly eminent Dominicans of our century, presents a portrait of St. Dominic and his times with a brilliance and clarity that result from a perfect understanding of the beloved saint and his ideals.
St. Dominic was plunged accidentally -- and, as it turned out, providentially -- from a quiet choir stall and scholarly life to the active and contentious life of a street-corner preacher. Called upon to dispute with heretics who threatened the very existence of the thirteenth-century Church, he found the vital inspiration of his life to lie in personal austerity, holiness, and ardent dedication of the intellect to Christ. He not only defended the truth of the faith, but through the Order he founded (the Dominicans) he spread the faith throughout existing Christendom.
Austere and joyous, physically hardy, affectionate, compassionate, and full of a lively gaiety of heart, St. Dominic was ideally suited to be a brilliant preacher. He was well-educated, trained expertly to argument, and had that flaming Spanish enthusiasm and radiant character that immediately attracted eager followers to his Order. Father Jarrett's Life of St. Dominic is by far the best English biography of St. Dominic and brings him and his Order -- one of the richest ornaments of the Church and of the entire intellectual world -- to vibrant life for the modern reader.
St. Dominic was plunged accidentally -- and, as it turned out, providentially -- from a quiet choir stall and scholarly life to the active and contentious life of a street-corner preacher. Called upon to dispute with heretics who threatened the very existence of the thirteenth-century Church, he found the vital inspiration of his life to lie in personal austerity, holiness, and ardent dedication of the intellect to Christ. He not only defended the truth of the faith, but through the Order he founded (the Dominicans) he spread the faith throughout existing Christendom.
Austere and joyous, physically hardy, affectionate, compassionate, and full of a lively gaiety of heart, St. Dominic was ideally suited to be a brilliant preacher. He was well-educated, trained expertly to argument, and had that flaming Spanish enthusiasm and radiant character that immediately attracted eager followers to his Order. Father Jarrett's Life of St. Dominic is by far the best English biography of St. Dominic and brings him and his Order -- one of the richest ornaments of the Church and of the entire intellectual world -- to vibrant life for the modern reader.
204 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1924
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73 people want to read
About the author
Bede Jarrett
63 books7 followersBorn in England in 1881, Jarrett entered the Dominican order in 1898. He then studied at Oxford and at Louvain, where he received an additional degree in theology. After his ordination to the priesthood in 1904, he was stationed at St. Dominic’s Priory in London. He was elected Provincial of the order and opened a new church and priory in London. He established an ongoing series of Thomistic lectures in London.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 1, 2013
This book is a good read, both for the Believing Intellectual as well as those who are considering some involvement in the Dominican Order, whether at the Lay-level or Religious. The book while describe the person and actions of St. Dominic also uses that to make a very clear connection to the Order he founded. Having read this book, and as one considering becoming a Lay Dominican, I feel that I have much in common with Saint Dominic's personality as well as interests and only serves for me as an encouragement to pursue the realization of becoming a Lay Dominican.
May 20, 2023
Order of preachers? More like order of dorks. Put the book down and go touch some grass, nerd.
May 26, 2023
How to live a good life:
Step 1: Read about St. Dominic
Step 2: Become a Dominican
Step 1: Read about St. Dominic
Step 2: Become a Dominican
June 22, 2025
awesome life
Though an older book, I have frequently been enthralled by the life of many of the Dominican Saints, such as Catherine and Martin and Rose and and Thomas Aquinas. But I have never gone to the source of so much spirituality in life in the church, Saint Dominic. If you want to know more about the life and spirit which has undergirded so many Saints, this is a great introduction.
Though an older book, I have frequently been enthralled by the life of many of the Dominican Saints, such as Catherine and Martin and Rose and and Thomas Aquinas. But I have never gone to the source of so much spirituality in life in the church, Saint Dominic. If you want to know more about the life and spirit which has undergirded so many Saints, this is a great introduction.
April 1, 2025
Fr. Bede Jarrett writes about St. Dominic as if was there as companion in his mission to preach the Gospel.
Great book to read and understand the message, intention and mission that Christ entrusted to St. Dominic with the Order of Preachers.
Great book to read and understand the message, intention and mission that Christ entrusted to St. Dominic with the Order of Preachers.
May 25, 2019
I must confess that before reading this biography I knew little about the life of St. Dominic other than that he was born in Spain, was a contemporary of St. Francis of Assisi, founded the religious order that bears his name, and was instrumental in popularizing devotion to the Holy Rosary.
This short volume is a great source for those looking to familiarize themselves more with the particulars of St. Dominic's life and mission. It includes many fascinating insights into his personality. As a boy he was quiet and sensitive. As a student he was inseparable from his books. He was quick to laugh, empathetic to the sufferings of others, and was charismatic, making new friends easily. His mission of preaching and teaching began in southern France as he debated the Albigensian heretics. This eventually grew into a new Order of Preachers, including both clerics and lay brethren, as well as a parallel order of nuns.
St. Dominic emphasized preaching and study in the life of his friars without ever compromising on the need for a devout life of prayer and a personal devotion to Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. He organized his new Order along democratic principles with elected leadership. In is personal spiritual life he was austere, often to an extreme degree, eating very little, sleeping on the floor, and sometimes staying up all hours of the night to pray.
This fascinating biography is a great introduction to St. Dominic and the Order he founded.
This short volume is a great source for those looking to familiarize themselves more with the particulars of St. Dominic's life and mission. It includes many fascinating insights into his personality. As a boy he was quiet and sensitive. As a student he was inseparable from his books. He was quick to laugh, empathetic to the sufferings of others, and was charismatic, making new friends easily. His mission of preaching and teaching began in southern France as he debated the Albigensian heretics. This eventually grew into a new Order of Preachers, including both clerics and lay brethren, as well as a parallel order of nuns.
St. Dominic emphasized preaching and study in the life of his friars without ever compromising on the need for a devout life of prayer and a personal devotion to Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. He organized his new Order along democratic principles with elected leadership. In is personal spiritual life he was austere, often to an extreme degree, eating very little, sleeping on the floor, and sometimes staying up all hours of the night to pray.
This fascinating biography is a great introduction to St. Dominic and the Order he founded.
August 5, 2023
It’s saints like Dominic that really make me feel like a schmuck. A man who gave his entire life to the preaching of truth and the salvation of souls. He was quick to chastise and punish only himself. Very severe in his penances and fasts, firm and challenging yet gentle and loving in his fraternal correction. A man of principle and love. This book paints a beautiful picture of Dominic, his life, his order, and his desire for the salvation of souls through the preaching of truth which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The dream of his mother, that he would set the world on fire has come to pass. The hound with a torch in his mouth has set the world on fire for love of the light that burns in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it; the flame, the light of Divine Love. “I have come to set the earth on fire and how I wish it were already blazing” the Domini Canes, the hounds of the lord, have continued to bear the torch of their founder.
Sancte Dominice ora pro nobis.
August 8, 2024
Fascinating and attractive
We may not be able to take on his vehement spirit and endless labours for souls. But after reading this Life by Bede Jarrett, we will be encouraged to imitate him in his dedication to God and the work of saving souls. His approach to his apostolate was refreshing…..so much so that many young people - and also intellectually brilliant ones - were powerfully drawn to follow him. On top of that he had refined his character so much that it became immensely attractive. It appears that when spiritual things in the world seem to be at a low ebb that God raises up men and women like him to revitalise our dedication.
We may not be able to take on his vehement spirit and endless labours for souls. But after reading this Life by Bede Jarrett, we will be encouraged to imitate him in his dedication to God and the work of saving souls. His approach to his apostolate was refreshing…..so much so that many young people - and also intellectually brilliant ones - were powerfully drawn to follow him. On top of that he had refined his character so much that it became immensely attractive. It appears that when spiritual things in the world seem to be at a low ebb that God raises up men and women like him to revitalise our dedication.
February 19, 2024
Well sourced and thoroughly treats, as far as I can tell, the relevant details that we know about Saint Dominic and the course of his life.
That said, I left feeling like I had more questions than answers, and I don't know if I'll be adequately able to express what I mean. The book treats the various deeds or works of Saint Dominic, as well as his companions, but felt like it spent relatively little time fleshing out his personality. The best details on that front had to do with descriptions in his habitual fasting, or the ways in which he would pray. Often the author will describe the ways in which close companions to the Saint described him, which in the end made me wish I had gone and directly read them in the first place. In addition, the book is full of diversions for the author to lay out his takes in various topics, which I actually love and think gives a work alot of charm. But in this particular book, again hard to really articulate, the diversions often felt more like they were getting in the way of my getting to know the Saint, over however much character they gave to the book.
I would recommend the read, it was a good book and Saint Dominic is a wonderful saint Worth getting to know. Maybe I'll check out those primary sources next.
That said, I left feeling like I had more questions than answers, and I don't know if I'll be adequately able to express what I mean. The book treats the various deeds or works of Saint Dominic, as well as his companions, but felt like it spent relatively little time fleshing out his personality. The best details on that front had to do with descriptions in his habitual fasting, or the ways in which he would pray. Often the author will describe the ways in which close companions to the Saint described him, which in the end made me wish I had gone and directly read them in the first place. In addition, the book is full of diversions for the author to lay out his takes in various topics, which I actually love and think gives a work alot of charm. But in this particular book, again hard to really articulate, the diversions often felt more like they were getting in the way of my getting to know the Saint, over however much character they gave to the book.
I would recommend the read, it was a good book and Saint Dominic is a wonderful saint Worth getting to know. Maybe I'll check out those primary sources next.
July 22, 2020
A nice, relatively short biography. It relies on works from shortly after Dominic's time for much of its information, which is fine. Some trouble getting into it as the author seems to assume the reader's knowledge of events and places of, and leading up to, Dominic's time, but certain chapters captured my attention better. The book's chapters break up Dominic's life based on events and traits (e.g., founding, preaching, praying) -- my favorite, I think, being "His Portrait" that really allows the reader come to understand Dominic's habits and the perception of him. A bit archaic in its language, it feels a bit dated. Maybe a good starter book, but I look forward to reading longer and more detailed expositions that follow his life linearly.
February 27, 2021
So far, it is my favorite biography of St. Dominic. The chapter on his prayer is worth reading over again. The author covers all the important biographical information while painting a picture that is useful for devotion, truly presents St. Dominic as an icon of apostolic perfection. The only chapter that seemed to drag on was one describing the organization of the Order as laid out in the Constitutions, and yet this is accurate and allows the author to stress certain qualities of St. Dominic's charism. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to know St. Dominic better.
August 9, 2023
Wow, this book is legit one of the most exciting biographies I've read. The life of St. Dominic, much like our own Blessed Lord, was hidden, followed by a short yet inflamed sense of mission. From his quiet, contemplative boyhood as a canon regular in Spain, to his utterly zealous devotion for souls and study, Fr. Bede really brings you along as if you were under St. Dominic himself. Also contains good historical knowledge to be gained about the role of the Order in establishing the university system.
March 31, 2019
It's clear from the start that this is a different kind of biography: one that begins with several pages on the gradual emergence of the modern European languages, seemingly tangential and yet the very water that a life dedicated to preaching swam in. Tracing a life about which surprisingly little is known, Fr. Jarrett is interested in precisely this kind of knowledge: the waves that made a way for St. Dominic's mission and the waves that it made.
February 24, 2021
A great treatment of the life of Dominic. While Jarret wrote over 100 years ago, his prose is still accessible and readable. He avoids the hagiography that can sometimes arise around saints as prominent as Dominic.
January 16, 2018
A great telling of St. Dominic's life and the birth of the OP. Fr. Jarrett's prose is enjoyable and accessible. An excellent if dated life of The Preacher.
December 21, 2020
A great, short life of the saint with lots of insights on how the personality of St. Dominic has influenced later generations of Dominicans.
December 25, 2023
A great read for anyone who considers themselves a follower of Saint Dominic.
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December 19, 2024This is supposed to be world famous.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews