MANILA, Philippines - He was a man of vision, a leader of his time. He was a man of prayer and the symbol of a burning zeal for the salvation of souls.

He is Sto. Domingo de Guzman, founder of the Order of Preachers whose mission was to spread the Gospel by preaching and teaching in apostolic poverty.

Born of a noble family in 1170 at Caleruega, Spain, the young Dominic completed his studies at Palencia and was ordained to the priesthood. He became a canon regular in the Cathedral Chapter at Osma.

At that time, the Albigensian heresy was raging like wildfire in southern France. It was against this milieu that Dominic left the quiet contemplative life and actively counter the heresy. He spent more than 10 years traveling in the countryside of France, begging from door to door and preaching indefatigably.

The Order of Preachers was formally approved by Pope Honorius Ill in 1216.
Dominic died in Bologna on Aug. 6, 1221, and was buried, as he wished, beneath the feet of his brethren. He was canonized in 1234 by his close friend, Pope Gregory IV.

On the occasion of his feast on Aug. 8, the Santisimo Rosario Parish at University of Santo Tomas shall mount the exhibit “Sto. Domingo de Guzman.”
It is organized by the parish priest, Fr. James Alamillo, O.P.; assistant parish priest Fr. Luclo Gutierrez, O.P.; and project coordinator James Patrick Jaring.
Ecclesiastical-exhibit designer Rei Nicolas mounts the show and gathers prints and statues depicting the life of St. Dominic and other saints of the Dominican Order.

Of special interest is a rare print of Sto. Domingo from an old book owned by John Enriquez.
A rosary from Caleruega, S
pain, a gift of Fr. Jun Sipalay, O.P., to Nicolas, is among the memorabilia included.

Also included are beautifully carved images in wood and ivory from the collections of restorer Tom Joven, Jerome de Jesus, Jun Manahan, Noel Abquilan and Jojo Valencia.

Nicolas previously mounted the exhibit for the centenary of the canonical coronation of La Naval de Manila at the Museo de Santo Domingo at the Sto. Domingo Church last year.

“Sto. Domingo de Guzrnan” runs Aug. 7-17 at the UST Santisimo Rosario Parish hallway.