More than Brothers

St. Dominic receives a group of sisters

Today Dominican's celebrate the feast of Bl. Mannes Guzman, older brother of St. Dominic.

The circumstances of Bl. Mannes's studies and ordination are unknown but it is recorded that he was given to prayer and contemplation. When Bishop Diego of Osma returned to Spain requesting missionaries for France to combat the Albigensians, Mannes answered the call and joined his brother Dominic, labouring for ten years to root out heresy and restore peace. During this time he dedicated himself to the service of God and salvation of souls with great fortitude and zeal.

Of his many virtues, his humility shines brightest, for upon joining the Order he was perfectly obedient to Dominic, who in the world was his younger brother. After receiving the habit, Mannes was sent to Paris, helping to found the famous St James' Convent and Studium, and gaining a reputation as a gifted orator.

From Paris he was sent back to Spain to take charge of a group of sisters whom Dominic had received and clothed in the habit. The choice of Mannes was because of several factors. Firstly old age and missionary labour were taken a toll on his health. Secondly, his natural disposition was for the contemplative life and this would afford him opportunity for deeper prayer. More importantly, he was a practical, prayerful and prudent. For the second general chapter, Mannes travelled to Bologna and returned with a letter from Dominic to the sisters, the only extant writing of the saint. Mannes remained in Madrid as superior of the convent, while continuing preaching in and around the city.

After Dominic's canonization, he journeyed to Caleruega and persuaded the people to build a Church in honour of his brother. It is likely that while engaged in this act of piety he became sick and died in the Cistercian monastery at Gumiel de Izan, where his tomb became a site of numerous miracles. Six hundred years after his death, Pope Gregory XVI beatified him, granting the Order a proper Mass and Office.