Dominicans

An order of Roman Catholic MONKS AND NUNS properly known as the Order of Preachers. The Dominican order was founded by Dominic in 1216. Like the Franciscans (see FRANCIS OF ASSISI AND FRANCISCANS), it is an order centered on mendicant friars. Its members take vows of poverty, and they are not under the control of a diocese and its bishop. The Dominicans received as their special mission the tasks of preaching and study. Preaching had earlier been the privilege of bishops and those to whom they had delegated the task. The Dominicans, it was hoped, would effectively counter various heresies that were beginning to spread. Later the Dominicans played a major role in INQUISITIONS. Other Dominican accomplishments are more likely to win admiration today. The order has included the great theologians Albertus Magnus (c. 1200–80) and Thomas AQUINAS; the mystics Meister Eckhardt (c. 1260–c. 1328), Johannes Tauler (c. 1300–61), and Catherine of Siena (1347–80); the reformer Savonarola (1452–98); the painter Fra Angelico (c. 1400– 55); and the champion of Mesoamericans' rights, Bartolomé de las Casas (1474–1566). From the 16th through the 18th centuries, the Dominicans were in decline. Since the middle of the 19th century the order has experienced a revival. Dominicans have been active in the United States continuously from the year 1786. In 1806 the fi rst Dominican province, the Province of St. Joseph, was established at St. Rose, Kentucky. The fi rst Dominican nuns arrived in the United States in 1853. Today Dominicans are active in North America teaching, promoting a life of contemplation, and supporting missions overseas.