Blessed John Dominic was born in Florence, Italy, in 1356. He joined the Dominican order when he was 17 years old. He became a priest and preached in Venice, Italy, for a dozen years. Blessed John Dominic was a great supporter of Christian education for youths. He served as confessor and advisor to Pope Gregory XII and became a cardinal in 1407. He made an effort to heal a schism in the church. Blessed John Dominic died June 10, 1419, and was beatified in 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI.