Ever wondered where Dominicans got their iconic nickname and symbol, the dog holding a flaming torch?

You may not notice it in famous paintings depicting Saint Dominic, but there is often a cute little hound resting at the saint’s feet, holding a blazing torch in its mouth.

Meet Saint Dominic de Guzman, a Spaniard, the man who set the world ablaze with the truth of the Gospel.

Dominic de Guzman was born on August 8, 1170, in Caleruega, Spain. Prior to his birth, his mother had a vision of a dog holding a flaming torch in its mouth.

According to tradition, Blessed Jane of Aza dreamed of a dog leaping from her womb, carrying a flaming torch. In the dream, the dog ran across the earth, setting it ablaze. When she shared the dream, a holy monk interpreted it as a sign that her son would set the world on fire ; not with destruction, but with the light of Christ’s truth.

In fact, the word ‘Dominican’ is a play on the Latin, Domini canes, which means ‘dogs of the Lord.’

Throughout his life, St. Dominic fulfilled that prophetic dream. He founded the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) to combat false teachings, not through violence or force, but through prayer, study, poverty, and relentless preaching of the Truth.

Like faithful hounds of God, Dominic and his friars guarded the flock of Christ, carrying the light of faith into the darkest corners of the world.

St. Dominic’s life reminds us that we are all called to carry the light of Christ wherever we go.

In a world often darkened by division and confusion, our faith should not be hidden. Rather, it should be a torch that ignites truth, hope, and love in the hearts of others.

Saint Dominic de Guzman, pray for us!