Digital Continent Digital Continent Easter 2017 | Page 21

thriving but growing throughout the Lanquedoc, the south of France. Dominic set out to preach,
to correct the heretical thoughts of the Albigensia. Dominic spoke to those practicing the heresy
in a manner in which they could relate. The populace saw the Catholic Church as being
grandiose and in possessing excessive wealth. Dominic possessed nothing, selling his
possessions to benefit those who were in need. He lived an austere life, fasting and penitential. 43
He preached the orthodox teachings of the Church as the Apostles taught by word and deed
adhering to the Gospel message, “take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, no bag for
your journey nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff” (RSV, Mt 10:9-10). In this way Dominic
fought the good fight against the Catharists, “he outfasted the heretics,” who by their own
austerity sought to lead men, women and children away from the orthodox teachings of the
Catholic Church. 44
43
44
Ibid., 33.
Ibid., 31.