The origins of the nuns of the Order of Preachers date back to the year 1207, when the blessed Dominic gathered some converts to the Catholic faith in the monastery of St. Mary of Prouilhe (France); they were women only concerned with God, who shared in prayers and dedication to His " Holy Preaching " .
Who was St. Dominic?
A Spaniard – a crown of red hair and a very white face.
In 1206, talking with a Toulouse inn keeper, he realised in dismay that someone, ardently seeking God, may all the same have misconceptions about Him .
It is from this point that he decided to preach the Gospel to the Cathars who were Christian purists disappointed by the Church of their time. Taking to the word the message of the Gospel, in extreme poverty, Dominic went walking bare feet on the roads and begging for his sustenance, meeting people to tell them about Jesus Christ.
Who are these nuns ?
Women who have listened to Dominic. His preaching has opened their eyes – " God is Infinite Kindness " ,
" God is Infinite Love " .
Touched by the Love of Christ, they convert their lives to Him by permanent scrutiny of His Face and listening to His Word to know Him better and love Him even more.
Dominic reached people in all directions to talk to them about God, and offered them to God through prayer during long wakes.
In 1207, in Prouilhe, near Carcassonne (France), he gathers, in a monastery, the first converts who become praying nuns begging God: " What will man become if he does not know You?... "
The monastery became Dominic's home base, his preaching "refuelling" station. There, is discovered that "looking after" God, is the source of happiness, and that His Word saves and feeds. From there, come up cries to God for all those who are thirsty.
Nowadays, many are united in the spirit of St. Dominic. They are: monastic nuns and Brothers, apostolic nuns, lay people, Diocesan priests assembled in their communities, as well as secular institutes and youth volunteers all around the world. All of them are joined in a single wish – that all on earth meet Jesus Christ for their salvation!
How can people on earth believe in God without hearing His Word? How can they hear it if there are no preachers?
As it was for the first apostles, Dominic and his brothers are sent by Christ to preach the Gospel to men from all over the world...
