11th century
Feast: August 8
A monk known for wearing a hair shirt and practicing extreme penance for his sins.
Dominic Loricatus (995-1060) was an Italian Benedictine monk whose surname means "the mail-wearer" because he wore a hair shirt as penance. Born to a priestly family, he discovered his father had paid for his ordination (simony) and was devastated by this sin. He became a hermit monk and practiced severe penances, including wearing chain mail next to his skin. His extreme asceticism reflected deep sorrow for sin and desire for holiness. He represents radical penance and conversion.