The Epistle of St. Dominic

The Epistle of St. Dominic

 

(TO SEE A LIKENESS OF THE CHRIST)

 

Good James, I honor you and love you, but I do not within this happy realm of heaven seek intrigues in the world. Nor did I seek them when I walked among my brethren. Indeed, never did I inquire of faults with a view to meting out a righteous justice. I spoke what truth I could unto the Albigenses and far too often failed to convince them. But when Our Lady came to me and showed a wreath of roses, I learned a better purpose of my mission - Not to inquire but preach. I took what I had gained in long debates with many they called perfect and preached to them that I did preach to you. But I grew better when I listened and gleaned some certain things from them - And now there is today, an order of our preachers consecrated to the love of Christ and contemplating the mysteries of our salvation.

 

I saw in the Cathari not enemies, but brothers we had failed. More importantly, I saw a likeness of the Christ, that in the crucial pages of my book, did hold a looking glass unto my faith. The Holy See had sent them legates in fine raiment, haughtiness, and threats. But I did witness their humility and how even our own did love them. Indeed, we could not win debates, when we were less like Christ than they were. Their Perfects preached of good works by example, and though we preached the same, we claimed peace as our own. Therefore, good James, know first that I was not a pawn in someone's bloody vision. I met my brothers face to face, then we joined hands and spoke. I armed myself with prayer, and so did they.

 

Now, to your confession, which seems more like a query. I know not this Du Monde, nor of his heart but have heard mention of his general nature. They say he is a rough but Christian soul, and I have no reason to deny it. The leeway he was granted to unearth the Blue Knight's treasure warned him of those holy bones nearby and cautioned him to leave them undisturbed. But, as often happens, despite the best intentions, errors were made, and trust was breached; and when it was, our good Du Monde prevented its discovery �" Not for some "weighty" reason, but to avoid the shame of his mistake.

 

 

The occasion was a festival of sorts, one that celebrated Du Monde’s arrival, and he would not allow his blunder to sing a song of fools on his behalf.

One might suppose that he mistook the bones he found for those that he was asked to leave untroubled.

 

The presence of the yellow cross is more complex. It is well-known and by the Holy Father, too, that under the reins of a papal legate, some 20,000 people perished at Beziers. Most were put to the sword, while others were made targets of the arrow. The town itself had not that many heretics, so one supposes that Christians perished, too. Who were they, I wonder? The Holy See most vigorously denies that no care was given to spare the Catholic faithful. But sadly, only that it doth deny in weak objection to the story.

 

-U-

 

Perhaps the yellow cross was taken as a memento of success,

Only to become a token of deepest sorrow �"

 

That kind of reckless sin that goes unmarked in the doing,

But later shrieks from out the soul till it is buried.

 

Various hands had access to that ground �" Those who buried the unnamed saint, Baptiste De Guerre, those who buried him, and lastly Camille Du Monde. So, no finger should be pointed, as we know not who buried what things nor why. We would choose to believe there were no bad intentions, only memories, hopes, or guilt. Possibly, the bones you mention were of some righteous person �" Perhaps one who merited a holy bed as much as he who was already there.

 

I shall not pray the prayer you ask, but I will pray for you. You proved most true in service to our God and suffered much to keep a secret. Know that our Savior smiles upon your faith and counsels you to love your neighbor. Know too, good James, that there are Cathars here �" Not most of them, but many who love God and are by Him most loved, or simply lived as best they could by Christ’s example and their faith.