In the PRINCESS OF POVERTY – the commemorative book put out by Mother Maddalena in the year 1900 for her Silver Jubilee in America, we find the following about St. Dominic: People themselves felt that something … was needed; for faith, though dormant, was not dead. For this reason, there sprung up, from time to time, certain popular movements, seeking to curb the evils arising from excessive wealth and luxury. But they failed; some ran riotous; some even degenerated into heretical sects. Witness the Waldenses. Men needed a leader, a leader sent by God, stamped with the seal of Divine authority. And the choice of Divine providence fell in a very singular manner on the poor and lowly Francis of Assisi. There were others, too, raised up along with him, chiefly S. Dominic, his faithful brother-in- arms.