Dominic de Guzman was born in Old Castile around 1170 into a noble family. Dominic's two older brothers were studying for the priesthood when Dominic was born. Taking his studies at the University of Palencia, he was ordained and soon joined the chapter of Augustinian Canons at Osma. He was made prior of the canons at an early age.

Dominic decided to organize his followers into a group with the papal commission to preach. He made several trips across Europe to get this permission, finally receiving it in 1216.

St. Dominic founded the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans) with several startling innovations. Dominic proposed a democratic form of government in a time when the only form of government was the monarchy. The brothers would elect their priors, who would rule for a limited amount of time. He was the first to propose an Order dedicated to preaching at a time when no one but bishops preached regularly.

Dominic spent the last years of his life organizing the order, traveling all over Italy, Spain and France preaching and attracting new members and establishing new houses. The new order was phenomenally successful in conversion work as it applied Dominic's concept of harmonizing the intellectual life with popular needs. He died at Bologna in on August 6, 1220 after being forced by illness to return from a preaching tour in Hungary. He was canonized in 1234 and is the patron saint of astronomers. Feast day is Aug. 8.