With Georgina Protheroe Beynon

Patron of the Dominican Republic, astronomers and astro-navigators Dominic de Guzmán, later to found the Order of Preachers, was born and grew up in Old Castile. At that time, many sections of the Church had relaxed into lazy ways. Enjoyment of status and wealth led to widespread laxity. Many of the clergy were sadly corrupt. Among those trying to reverse the trend was the Prior of the reformed cathedral chapter of Osma who recruited Dominic during his student days.

Returning from Scandinavia through Languedoc with the negotiating team, for the marriage of the King of Castile’s daughter to the Prince of Denmark, Dominic met some Albigensians. These had reacted to clerical corruption by becoming very austere, believing that the pursuit of perfection required sexual continence, a meagre diet and the rejection of matter as evil. This last was what precipitated them into heresy. Dominic saw more ignorance than wilful transgression.

In 1207 Dominic’s purpose was to recruit and train an Order of Preachers to live tactfully and modestly among the “Cathari” or “Perfect Ones” and wean them from their errors. He extended his role to educating women and to promoting prayer. Those first women converted from heresy became the nucleus of the Order of Dominican nuns at Prouille.

When the Papal legate was murdered, England’s Simon de Montfort, put down the Cathars with unrelenting ferocity. Pope Innocent III declared an obligation to preach and teach, within the diocesan institution. Dominic asked for a wider apostolate. In 1219 Pope Honorius III confirmed the necessity for the Order of Preachers. They must be well educated and be a presence in centres of education. They must have a lecturer in theology and ongoing study programmes in all of their monasteries. They would have a corporate vow of poverty; the Superior to be elected, rather than appointed, with permission to excuse observances that conflicted with pastoral service.

The “Dominican” order spread far and wide. The “black Friars” became a familiar sight, travelling barefoot teaching multitudes the beauty of the will of God and the power and comfort of prayer. Dominic used the rosary to bring the life of Christ to life, engendering huge devotion to this spiritual exercise. Having refused all hierarchical appointments, Dominic, OP, died on August 6th, 1221, he urged all his great family of the Order to “ practice charity in common; remain humble; stay poor willingly.”

"Dominique-nique-nique s'en allait tout simplement
Routier, pauvre et chantant
En tous chemins en tous lieux il ne parle que du bon Dieu
Il ne parle que du bon Dieu.”
(Soeur Luc-Dominique,(Sourire), The Singing Nun No 1 for 10 weeks 1963)

THE RECIPE:
Cris-crossing the dusty roads from Denmark through Provence and down to Rome, I’m sure Dominic would have welcomed the offer of lemonade. You need a clean 2 x litre bottle; I x litre of lemon juice (4 large bottles from your supermarket) and 500gr caster sugar. Mix all in the big bottle. Shake well until the sugar is dissolved. Keep in the fridge. Serve diluted with plain or fizzy water over ice, with lots of fresh mint.