Saint dominic: our founder

The black and white habit is attributed to the Dominicans. The colors may be considered symbolic with the color white denoting purity etc., with the black denoting mortification and penance. 

St. Dominic is often depicted holding a rosary. According to legend, Our Lady handed the Most Holy Rosary to Dominic to combat the Albigensian heresy in southern France during 1170-121. It symbolizes St.Dominic's desire to make Christ known to the pagans.

The Star is attributed to the light that appeared on St. Dominic’s head during his baptism. With this, St. Dominic is also called The Light of the Church or “Lumen Ecclesiae”.  

Symbolizes the purity of life: Chastity.

The books and staff are attributed to the visions commissioned to him by St. Peter and St. Paul which is to “Go and Preach” with the book symbolizing the letters of St. Paul. Seeing the book and the staff would mean the Constitutions of his order and his formal designation as the founder.

The crucifix symbolizes the designation of St. Dominic as a preacher, a preacher of grace.

This is attributed to the birth of St. Dominic in which her mother dreamt of him in the appearance of a black and white dog carrying a torch that illuminated the world. The Dominicans – the popular name of the religious children of St. Dominic, alludes to the Latin name “Domini canes” which means “Dogs of the Lord” that wear their dual-colored habits as they spread the light of Christ throughout the World.