Why St. Dominic's Approach to Converting Heretics Still Inspires Today

+JMJ+

Today, in the new calendar, we celebrate the feast of the founder of the Order of Preachers, the Dominicans: St. Dominic. Those of us who belong to the Dominican Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus received an excellent reflection from its friars in the mail. It detailed one particular feature of Dominic’s outstanding achievements: his ability to convert heretics with charity and patience. In their reflection, the friars discussed the familiar image of the dog seen in a dream by Dominic’s mother, Bl. Jane of Aza, while she was pregnant with Dominic. The black and white dog she saw in the dream bore a torch in his mouth and used it to set the world on fire. This image showed Blessed Jane that her son would spread the light of truth to the ends of the world. The friars emphasized that this imagery of fire is used to make an important point: “It is sometimes said that controversial discussions produce ‘more heat than light,’ meaning the ‘heat’ of anger is stoked, but little ‘light’ of truth is achieved. We unfortunately see this all too often in our Church and in the world today.” It is this point that I would like to expand on because I believe the example of St. Dominic is needed now more than ever.

St. Dominic was known for his intelligence and inspiring speeches, which helped him combat heresy. He believed in using the truth fueled by charity to win over those who opposed it. Dominic emphasized that sharing the truth should come from a deep love for the soul and humility rather than pride. An example of this is found in a story shared by the Western Friars called “The Conversion of the Heretical Innkeeper,” which comes from “The Little Book about the Beginnings of the Order of Preachers,” written by Dominic’s close friend and eventual Second Master of the Order, Blessed Jordan of Saxony. In this story, it is recounted that while traveling to Toulouse to combat the spreading of the Cathar heresy, Dominic encountered an innkeeper who was adamant about this false teaching. The Cathar heresy rejected fundamental Catholic beliefs, including the goodness of creation, the Incarnation of Christ, and the importance of the sacraments. They believed that the physical world was inherently evil and that God could not have taken on human form because of the evil nature of material things. Dominic was greatly troubled by this heresy for obvious reasons and was ready to cure this troubled nation of its error. Seeing an opportunity to begin his work in Toulouse, Dominic spent the entire night speaking with the heretical innkeeper, engaging in a back-and-forth dialogue where he, armed with the charity-fueled truth, ultimately led the innkeeper to fall to his knees, admit his error, and ask to be received into the Church again.

What swayed the innkeeper? Was it a shouting match, an argumentum ad hominem, or a flurry of fists? No. What truly won over the innkeeper was the love of God, revealed in Dominic’s humble and truthful words. It begs the question: Do we share the truth this way, or do we find ourselves armed with the facts and ready for the kill? What inspires our preaching and teaching? Perhaps we should consider a quote famously attributed to Dominic: “Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword; wear humility rather than fine clothes.” Do we pray that God may give us the grace to preach the truth charitably? Do we give glory to God, or do we puff ourselves up when we post that mean-spirited reply on a Facebook thread because we’ve shown the one in error who knows best? We are often quick to critique those inside and outside the Church for their errors, but do we take the time to pray for them and, if given the opportunity, charitably correct them, or do we remain mired in criticism?

Today, as we celebrate the great feast of St. Dominic, let us ask him for his help to become more loving preachers, which will only make us better preachers. Let us seek the grace of zeal for souls so that we, too, may share the truth in a way that conveys the love of God, ultimately moving the hearts of those in error. Finally, let us remember Dominic’s humble example, placing God as the One who preaches the truth through us. Let us remember that we are but His servants, the “Hounds of the Lord.”

St. Dominic, pray for us!