During the opening session, Sr Fabiola Velasquez Maya, the outgoing International Coordinator of DSI welcomed all the participants. Together they shared a great moment of communion and prayer.

Sr Fabiola also thanked, in a special way, all the members of the Coordinating Council. She introduced Sr Vivian Sisack, the new Coordinator for Latin America and Caribbean and Sr Celestina Veloso, the new International Promoter for Justice and Peace for DSI. She informed the Assembly that the Master of the Order, fr Bruno Cadoré and some friars from Santa Sabina will be visiting on Sunday. The Assembly is expected to have several presentations on various theological themes, presentations of reports and a presentation on social communication.

To set the ball rolling, Sr Fabiola gave her report of activities as the International Coordinator for the past 3 years. In her report, she gave an insight into her activities and visitations to the sisters in over 20 countries, the meetings, courses, workshops etc. For her, this has been the best university she could never have attended anywhere else. She also made a brief introduction of the Assembly theme, “The New Evangelization and Our Dominican Mission Today”.

Other members of the Coordinating Council gave their reports; Sis Michael Mdluli (Africa), Irene Diaz (Latin America/Caribbean), Cecille Espenilla (Asia Pacific), Sara Böhmer (Europe) and Rose Marie Riley (North America). Sr Cecille Espenilla also gave a report on the Jubilee programme for young sisters. In all the reports, the sisters shared on their activities and projects in the past years, experiences, challenges and proposals

On Saturday, the third day of the Assembly, Sr Luma Khuder gave a presentation on the topic; “New Evangelization: Biblical Perspective on the Preaching of the Kingdom of God”.

On Sunday, the fourth day of the Assembly, the Master of the Order, fr Bruno Cadoré visited the Assembly and shared with the sisters on the topic; “The New Evangelization and the Dominican Mission today in response to the recent Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization and the Transmission of the Faith”. After his presentation, fr Bruno celebrated the Eucharist with the sisters and also joined them for lunch.