Despite its economic and political power, the Catholic Church was rotting inside. Many Catholics rightly asked what earthly might had to do with Jesus who died naked, poor and abandoned on a cross. Reform movements sprang up and often veered away from Catholic theological orthodoxy. Thirteenth century reform movements by and large rightly rejected the lavish opulence of the Church, but often rejected the Church's hierarchy and papacy.
In Spain, France and elsewhere a reform movement, the Cathars or Albigensians, taught that human souls were sexless spirits of angels trapped in evil material bodies. Not only did they reject the Church's indulgent materialism, they came to believe that the material world, including human bodies, were inherently evil. This is contrary to the teaching of the book of Genesis where everything that God created was called "good" and "very good".
Cistercians were sent by Pope Innocent to preach against this heresy and to bring people back to true Catholic faith, but Saint Dominic reckoned that their preaching was ineffective because they lived as rich and privileged men. He understood that the truth that was preached needed to be accompanied by a holy, simple and poor lifestyle. So Dominic founded the Order of Preachers. These Dominican friars were to be theologically educated and equipped for preaching, but also poor and simple in lifestyle.
Meanwhile at the same time in Italy, Saint Francis also founded the Order of Friars Minor, not to preach theology, but to animate and encourage poor and humble people to love Jesus.
Both Francis and Dominic understood that the reform of the Church must start with a poor and humble lifestyle of Catholics. Dominic wanted his educated friars not only to preach the truth, but to live exemplary lives. Though Francis esteemed theologians, he was afraid if his friars became educated that they might also become proud. However, after Francis' death many of his friars became theologians and teachers.
The Orders founded by Francis and Dominic were effective Catholic reform movements in the Middle Ages. As Dominic's Order grew, he moved to Rome where, according to legend, he and Francis became friends. They both understood that the reform of the Church must begin with a poor and simple lifestyle of believers. Neither man challenged or criticized the Pope or bishops, but both lived in a way that inspired people to return the simple beauty of the Gospel.
Franciscans refer to Saint Dominic as "Our Holy Father Saint Dominic" and Dominicans call Saint Francis "Our Holy Father Saint Francis". We are blessed to have Dominicans and Franciscans in Center City, the Dominicans at Saint Patrick's and us Capuchin Franciscans at Saint John's.
There is an old tradition that Franciscans preach at Dominican churches on the feast of Saint Dominic while Dominicans preach at Franciscan churches on the feast of Saint Francis. Beginning in 2022, we have revived this tradition in Center City, Philadelphia.
On August 8, I will preach at the 5:15 PM Mass at Saint Patrick's, celebrating with our Dominican brothers their feast. A Dominican will join us at Saint John's on October 4, the feast of Saint Francis. Hopefully, several Capuchins will attend the August 8 Mass for Saint Dominic at Saint Patrick's.
If you are able, consider joining with the Dominicans and Capuchins at Saint Patrick's on the Feast of Saint Dominic, August 8 at 5:15 PM.
