Ebook: The History of the Dominican Order. Vol. 1. Origins and Growth to 1500

The thirteenth century was an age of enormous vitality and achievement. An age of faith, of learning, of adventure, it watched the rise of the universities and the Gothic cathedrals, witnessed the roving of crusaders and the wandering of scholars. It was an age of giants like Innocent III, Louis IX, Frederick II, Dominic, Francis, Albert, Roger Bacon, Aquinas, Bonaventure, Stephen Langton, Marco Polo, Dante. Because it was a time of transition as well as an age of genius, its powerful influence still touches every one of us.

Our interest here centers on the work of Dominic and his Order. As the Friars Preachers observe the 750th anniversary of their origin, it is clear that they were particularly blessed. Their Founder gave them a high and enduring purpose, a spirit of devotion to study and truth, a profound appreciation of poverty and the religious state, and an advanced form of government. Then a series of able successors and a remarkably rapid growth in numbers solidified and expanded Dominic’s achievement. Much of the Dominican success can be attributed to these factors. The variety of the Orders activities, the amazing versatility of its members, die fruitfulness of its labors — all these contribute to the importance, and heighten the attractiveness, of its history.