“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, his people, that you may proclaim the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light”. (1 Peter 2.9). This excerpt from Peter packs a lot of information into one sentence. These men and women are called by God to the vocation of entering the priesthood or sisterhood to spread the word of His teachings. There are several religious orders around the world, each with different missions that they carry out. The Dominicans are both a male and female religious order. This order was founded by Saint Dominic de Guzman in the early 13th century. San Domenico was born in Calaroga, in Castel Nuovo in 1170. He came from a noble family. San Domenico always wanted to help people. "On one occasion he sold his books, annotated by his own hand, to relieve the starving poor of Palencia." (Knight). The bishop of Osma, Don Martin de Bazan, called Saint Dominic to be part of his cathedral chapter. “As canon of Osma, he spent nine years of his life hidden in God and rapt in contemplation, barely passing the confines of the chapter house.” (Knight). Subsequently, Diego de Acebo became bishop of Osma and asked Saint Dominic to accompany him in spreading the word of God. “Together in 1206, both men offered Pope Innocent III their services to save souls. The Pope asked them to go and preach to the Cathars of Languedoc." (Preachers). After Diego's death, Saint Dominic continued his mission with a group of men and women gathered from nearby villages in France. And so the Dominican religious order began. Today the Dominican order is divided into four branches. It includes the friars, nuns, nuns and lay people... middle of the page... who will live a life of poverty, chastity and obedience for three years. “They can be renewed for another period of time if there is a special need to do so.” (Swami). After three years or, if necessary, an extension of time, the friar will live those vows for life. He will also continue his studies on Dominican life and order. A Dominican friar receives a monthly salary and benefits. The monthly salary is six hundred dollars per month and includes housing. The salary increases the longer they are part of the order. Furthermore, Dominican friars who travel to the Dominican Republic to preach receive a salary increase. Then, after a long period of residence in the Order, when a friar retires, there are some houses of retired clergy in which he can choose to live. But retired friars usually choose to help out in other churches and schools..