The
Order of Preachers (
Latin Ordo Praedicatorum), after the 15th century more commonly known as the
Dominican Order or
Dominicans, is a
Catholic religious order, founded by
Saint Dominic in the early 13th century in France. Membership in the Order includes the
friars,
[1] the
nuns, the
sisters, and lay persons affiliated with the Order (formerly known as
tertiaries).
A number of other names have been used to refer to both the order and its members.
Members of the order generally carry the letters O.P. after their name.
Founded to preach the gospel and to combat heresy, the Order is famed for its intellectual tradition, having produced many leading theologians and philosophers. The Dominican Order is headed by the Master of the Order, who is currently Father Carlos Azpiroz Costa.
