In 1203, as Dominic was accompanying his bishop on a journey, Dominic became aware the of unorthodox teachings of a group known as the Albigensians. Dominic became convinced that someone should preach the truth. Along with a handful of companions, who had joined him, Dominic persevered with preaching despite many obstacles.

Gradually, Dominic came to the realization that only a religious order could give the Church the continuous supply of trained preachers it needed. In 1215 Dominic petitioned Pope Innocent III to confirm Dominic and his followers as an Order that would be an Order of Preachers. Its members were to assume the usual obligations of religious life but would also systematically study Scripture.

The Order of Preachers was an entirely new kind of religious order. It would incorporate as an integral part of its religious life a ministry - the duty to preach the word of God and thus provide for the Church’s need for regular and competent preaching.

Dominic foresaw that one might preach in many ways, and in many media; so he made Veritas the motto of the Order and did not limit the ways or means by which one might preach it. Dominic gathered together a group of nine women and established a convent at Prouille, France, and there the women participated, through prayer and good works, in the preaching activities of the brethren.

 The last five years of his life, Dominic spent as head of the Order. During this time he attracted to the Order many holy and talented men and women of the time who carried out his ideal: to study, to explore and discover more effective ways of preaching the Gospel message. Dominic knew, and instilled in his followers, that this word could only rightly be proclaimed when it had been prayerfully pondered before God.

St. Dominic died in Bologna on August 6^th, 1221. He had lived long enough to see the Order firmly established. His burial was in accord with his wishes, in extreme simplicity, in a modest grave, "under the feet of his brethren."

In 1234, Pope Gregory IX proclaimed that Dominic de Guzman was a saint of God and entitled to the highest honors of the Church.

The stream of Dominican History is like all rivers. At times it has flowed strong and full; at times its water has slowed to a trickle. Never has it ceased to flow. Through almost eight centuries the basic ideas and fundamental inspiration of St. Dominic has vitalized the Order. Throughout the centuries, the Order has produced outstanding men and women, in some centuries an army, in others only a handful. Few or many, they witnessed to the authenticity of Dominic’s insights by their life and works. What the Dominican Order has given to the Church in the past and what it can offer to the Church in the future is vital and necessary - the mission to proclaim the Gospel. Preaching the word of God and proclaiming the name of the Lord Jesus throughout the world will always be needed by the people of God.