praedicatorum

Praedicatorum is the Latin genitive plural of praedicator, meaning "preacher." In ecclesiastical usage, praedicatorum appears in the formal name Ordo Praedicatorum, the Latin designation for the Dominican Order, whose members are commonly known as the Dominicans or the Order of Preachers (OP).

The Ordo Praedicatorum was founded by Saint Dominic de Guzmán in the early 13th century, with papal approval granted by Pope Honorius III in 1216. Its mission centered on preaching, teaching, and reform, and it belongs to the mendicant orders that emerged to counter heresy and promote study.

Dominicans played a leading role in medieval scholasticism. Notable members include Thomas Aquinas, Albert the Great, and Catherine of Siena. The order established or influenced the development of universities and centers of learning, emphasizing rigorous theological and philosophical study in conjunction with preaching.

Dominican habit is traditionally black with a white mantle, symbolizing poverty and purity. The order's motto, Laudare, Benedicere, Praedicare, reflects its threefold mission: to praise, to bless, and to preach. Today the Order of Preachers operates worldwide, with priests, brothers, and lay affiliates engaging in education, scholarship, mission, and pastoral work.