Dominic’s parents were Felix de Guzmán and Juanna of Aza. She was initially barren, but in visiting the Abbey at Silos she dreamt that a dog leapt from her womb carrying a torch in its mouth, “seeming to set the earth on fire”. Dominic was born in 1170. He attended the schools of Palencia where he studied art and theology. During the famines of 1191, the 21 year old Dominic gave away his money and sold many of his personal possessions to help feed the hungry around him. Around 25 he joined the Canons Regular in Osma under the Rule of St Benedict. In 1203 – 1204 while traveling with the Bishop of Osma on a mission for Alfonso VIII, King of Castile, Dominic first encountered the Cathars in southern France. This lead him to formulate the ideas he would later use in his Dominican Order. He formed it in 1215, and it was recognized two years later. 6 short years after founding his order and working tirelessly to serve the Lord and the Dominican Order, Saint Dominic passed away on August 6, 1221. His remains are found at the Basilica of San Domenico in Bologna, Italy.