Page "Dominican Order" Paragraph 76

In the spring of 1203, Dominic joined Prior Diego on an embassy to Denmark for the monarchy of Spain.

Dominic was fired by a reforming zeal after they encountered Albigensian Christians at Toulouse.

He set about reconverting the region to Roman Christianity.

On the return trip to Spain, the two brethren met with a group of papal legates who were determined to triumph over the Manichean menace.

Prior Diego saw immediately one of the paramount reasons for the spread of the unorthodox movement: the representatives of the Holy Church acted and moved with an offensive amount of pomp and ceremony.

On the other hand, the Cathars lived in a state of apostolic self-sacrifice that was widely appealing.

For these reasons, Prior Diego suggested that the papal legates begin to live a reformed apostolic life.

The legates agreed to change if they could find a strong leader.

The prior took up the challenge, and he and Dominic dedicated themselves to the conversion of the Albigensians.