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Memorial
8 August
24 May - translation of his relics
Born
1170 at Calaruega, Burgos, Old Castile
Died
4 August 1221 at Bologna Canonized
13 July 1234 by Pope Gregory IX at Rieti, Italy
Saint Dominic is the patron saint of astronomy and science, a
reflection of his lifelong love of learning and teaching. He was
a well educated man who believed that a strong intellectual base
would allow a man to preach more convincingly, and therefore convert
more people to the faith.
To that end, he established the Dominican Order, and chose the
motto "to praise, to bless, to preach". A central tenet
of the Order was to incorporate intellectual pursuits with the
needs of everyday people. Where heretics were normally punished
or terrorized for not believing (this was around the time of the
Inquisition), St. Dominic believed that by preaching from an intelligent
base, one could peacefully convert people to the faith.
When Dominic was baptized as a baby, his mother reportedly saw
a star shining from his chest. In portraits he is often depicted
with a star shining on or above his head. And although there is
no evidence that St. Dominic ever studied astronomy himself, this
aspect of scientific learning was well known when St. Dominic
attended university, and it's certainly possible that he was exposed
to the mysteries of the heavens.
St. Dominic is also the patron saint of falsely accused people.
There are stories of Dominic himself being falsely accused as
a boy, mostly as a result of boyish pranks played by schoolmates.
This may be one reason why he is so closely associated with this
group.
St. Dominic is the patron saint of the Dominican Republic as
well. Much of St. Dominic's life was spent in Spain, his homeland,
and the Dominican Republic was originally a Spanish colony. Choosing
St. Dominic as the patron saint was a natural for a country where
he had done so much good work.
St Dominic's Patronage:
Patron saint of Astornomers
Patron Saint of Asronomy
Patron Saint of Batanes-Babuyanes. Philippines, prelature of
Patron Saint of Bayombong, Philippines, diocese of
Patron Saint of Dominican Republic
Patron Saint of falsely accused people
Patron Saint of Santo Domingo Indian Pueblo
Patron Saint of Scientists
Patron Saint of Valletta, Malta
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