The Dominicans

The Dominicans - (Lat. Ordo fratrum praedicatorumthe; the Order of Preachers) is the Roman Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III (1216–27) on 22nd December, 1216 in France. Main activities of the Dominicans - the preaching of the Gospel, the study of science, education, combating heresies, missionary activity. Membership in the Order includes friars, nuns, congregations of active sisters, and persons affiliated with the order (formerly known as tertiaries, now Lay or Secular Dominicans). The main motto of the order is to praise, bless and preach (Latin - Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare). In 1214 around St. Dominic in Toulouse was formed the first community. Two years later the Pope Honorius III approved its charter. Rapidly the order became popular in France, Spain and Italy. The major focus of the Dominicans was the in-depth theology study in order to prepare qualified preachers. The centers of the order were Paris and Bologna with major universities in Europe.