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Dominic preached charity throughout his life and his actions reflected his preaching. In 1190 famine devastated all of Spain. At the time Dominic was studying in Palencia. Palencia was not spared from the effects of the famine and people were literally dying in the streets from starvation. The sight deeply moved Dominic and he was determined to respond to the call of Jesus, "to feed the hungry." He decided to sell all of his belongings, even his priceless books, which were so much a part of his studies. Books at this time had to be copied by hand and thus were extremely rare and valuable. This made Dominic's sacrifice even more immense. He explained this drastic action in these words: "I could not bear to prize dead skins when living skins were starving and in want." When other students and his professors saw this example of Dominic it moved them to give alms in abundance. Soon the people of Palencia were touched by these sacrifices and began to open their granaries and share what they had with each other. The united efforts were able to relieve the needs of the desperately poor of Palencia. |
