Saint Dominic in prayer: a precious girdle book as a sign of the veneration of the Order’s founder
Modi Orandi Sancti Dominici
Southern France — Second quarter of the 14th century; Later additions to the manuscript in 15th century

Modi Orandi Sancti Dominici
Southern France — Second quarter of the 14th century; Later additions to the manuscript in 15th century
In the early 13th century, St. Dominic (1170–1221) founded the Order of Preachers, the Dominican Order
The brothers’ veneration of Saint Dominic is shown in this precious girdle book
The work contains ten gorgeous miniatures, which show St. Dominic in prayer and meditation

Modi Orandi Sancti Dominici
Saint Dominic at Study
The founder of the Dominican Order is seated at a desk with a gold leaf halo in a small but beautiful cell. An open door leads out into a lush garden filled with fruits trees, which is likely the monastery’s orchard. The room has a patterned tile floor and an arched roof supported by beams. In the corner, a large crucifix begins to bleed miraculously, a sign of the favor shown to Saint Dominic. The subtle frame makes it look as though bricks have been removed to give us a glimpse inside.
Modi Orandi Sancti Dominici
- Novem modus orandi sancti Dominici
- Modus orandi sancti Dominici
- Modi orandi corporales
- Modi orandi corporaliter
- Gebets- und Andachtsgesten des Heiligen Dominicus - Beutelbuch
Short Description
The Modi Orandi Sancti Dominici is a manuscript, which arose in the 14th century and was expanded in the 15th century. The work shows prayer and meditation scenes of St. Dominic. The work is adorned with multiple decorative initials along with colorful miniatures.
Modi Orandi Sancti Dominici
In the early 13th century, St. Dominic founded the Order of Preachers, also known as the Dominican Order. What makes the Order of Preacher so exceptional is its democratic constitution. All the brothers carry the same responsibility for the realization of the objectives of the religious order. There is a right to be heard at all levels. All the top brass are elected for a time. A feeling of community prevails among the brothers of the order. The veneration, which the brothers showed for St. Dominic, was enunciated in the second quarter of the 14th century with a valuable manuscript. The work shows the gestures of prayer and meditation of St. Dominic in high quality images.
A Gothic Act of the Saints
The work contains ten miniatures, which show St. Dominic in prayer and meditation. The images illuminate in an astounding variety of colors and patterns. Sometimes multiple people are pictured in a scene, sometimes St. Dominic is seen alone. There are depictions in architecturally through-composed frames and scenes that occur in free and natural landscapes. The manuscript contains additional décor elements along with the prayer scenes. Countless initials patterned with filigree and depictions of animals adorn the text. No limits were set on the fantasy of the Gothic illuminators.
The Journey of the Document through History
The breviary of St. Dominic was edited and expanded over several centuries. The Latin text of the work was composed probably ca. 1270 in northern Italy by a scribe whose name is not known. The text was combined with the miniatures sometime in the middle of the 14th century. In the 15th century, the document was appended with further amendments, happening probably in the south of France. Today the well-travelled work is found in the Vatican Library.
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- Novem modus orandi sancti Dominici
Modus orandi sancti Dominici
Modi orandi corporales
Modi orandi corporaliter
Gebets- und Andachtsgesten des Heiligen Dominicus - Beutelbuch - Size / Format
- 312 pages / 16.6 × 12.0 cm
- Origin
- Southern France
- Date
- Second quarter of the 14th century; Later additions to the manuscript in 15th century
- Epochs
- Style
- Language

Modi Orandi Sancti Dominici
Self-Flagellation of Saint Dominic
Before being banned by the Catholic Church in the 14th century, self-flagellation was practiced by some of the clergy and the laity. Those who carried the practice to an extreme are known as Flagellants. Saint Dominic is supposed to have worn a hair shirt and flagellated himself regularly as an act of piety.
Like the majority of the miniatures in this codex, this scene is presented in a wonderful interior space as though the fourth wall has been removed. Kneeling on a diamond-patterned floor, Dominic is depicted mid-strike with a wan and devout expression on his face. He is wearing white but covered with blood and the crucifix he faces is bleeding as well. Little color is used, mostly shades of brown, but the halos and altar are highlighted with gold leaf.
1 available facsimile edition(s) of „Modi Orandi Sancti Dominici“
Modi orandi sancti dominici: Die Gebets- und Andachtsgesten des Hl. Dominicus
- Publisher
- Belser Verlag – Zurich, 1995
- Limited Edition
- 900 copies
- Binding
- Bound as girdle book (goat leather)
- Commentary
-
1 volume (96 pages) by Leonard E. Boyle, Jean-Claude Schmitt, Wilhelm Blum and Christoph Wetzel
Language: German - More Information
- Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
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