Veritas

On a diplomatic mission entrusted by the King of Castile, St. Dominic became aware of two enormous challenges facing the Church of his time: the existence of unevangelized people in Northern Europe, and the heresy, Albigensianism, that undermined Christianity in Southern France. St. Dominic wanted his followers to acquire a sound theological training in pursuit of the Veritas (Truth). At the beginning of the Order of Preachers, he dispersed his small band throughout the Universities of Europe, and from such beginnings the Order grew. He wanted his friars to devote themselves to study without reserve, with diligence and with piety; a study based on the Sacred Scriptures, and respectful of the questions asked by reason. The renewal of Christian life in the 13th century with its developing urban centers and its nascent universities not only required preachers who practiced poverty, but also preachers who were learned in Scriptures and the teachings of the Church. Study has been essential to ensure doctrinal preaching that is necessary to deal adequately with the intellectual challenges to the Catholic faith.