Digital Continent Digital Continent Easter 2017 | Page 19

Dominic, whose name means, “the man of the Lord” was born in Caleruega, Spain in the diocese
of Osma, around the year 1170 to Felix de Guzman and Joan of Aza. A child who it is said that
“from his brow and his eyelashes there emerged a kind of radiance which attracted the reverence
and affection of all.” 31 A child who around the age of reason, six or seven, was sent by his parents
to his uncle, a “parish priest of Gumiel d’Izan” for his formal education. Dominic a quick and
fastidious learner was a man who was deeply concerned for those who suffered, seeking to find
ways to ease their plight. 32 He went to Palencia Spain to continue his formal education in liberal
arts and theology, his primary focus was on the study and practice of living the Sacred
Scriptures. 33 While Dominic was in Palencia, Christian refugees flooded over the borders,
fleeing from the ‘Almohades’ the conquering Moslems. This influx of people stressed the already
sparse resources as the area along with most of Spain had been experien cing a sever famine for a
period of time. 34 Dominic touched by the plight of the suffering sold his possessions, including
his most beloved books, giving the money to those most in need stating, “I will not study on dead
skins when men are dying of hunger.” 35
Learning of Dominic’s self-giving the Catholic bishop of Osma sent for him to come to
the cathedral to study leading to his priestly ordination. His ordained life made him a preacher
for which he had a gift. He loved and was well loved by those he served. 36 He was called out of
31
M.H. Vicaire, Saint Dominic and His Times, trans. Kathleen Pond, (WI: Alt Publishing Company, 1964), 20.
Bede Jarrett, OP, Life of St. Dominic, (NY: Image Books, 1964), 17.
33
M.H. Vicaire, Saint Dominic and His Times, (WI: Alt Publishing, 1964), 23.
34
Ibid., 29.
35
Ibid., 30.
36
Ibid., 45.
32