Feast Day: August 8

Patron of Astronomy

St. Dominic (1170-1221) was born at Calarvega, Spain and studied at the University of of Palencia where he was ordained a friar at the age of 25. He lived according to the strict rule of St. Benedict.

St. Dominic preached against heresy during the Middle Ages and followed in the Crusades hoping to preach to the heretics. Unfortunately, he had no great success. St. Dominic and six of his followers founded an order (the "Dominicans") that was devoted to the conversion of any heretics.

He spent the last years of his life organizing the order, travelling all over Italy, Spain and France preaching and attracting new members.

St. Dominic was known to have had the deepest compassion for every sort of human suffering and believed that one should use the gift of human learning in the service of Christ.

St. Dominic was canonized a saint in 1234.