Article reposted from Dominicos.org
Francis’ pontificate was marked by many gestures of closeness and collaboration with the Order of Preachers.
Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis maintained a close and fruitful relationship with the Order of Preachers. This collaboration manifested itself in various meetings, appointments, and recognitions that strengthened the ties between the Pope and the Dominican family.
Significant Encounters
Closing of the Dominican Jubilee (2017): On January 21st, 2017, Francis presided at the closing Eucharist of the 800th anniversary of the Order in the Archbasilica of St, John Lateran. In his homily, he emphasized that Saint Dominic’s work was “ a work in service to the Gospel, preached with his words and with his life.” Read more.
Reception of the General Chapter (2016): On August 4th, 2016, the Pope received the participants of the General Chapter of the Dominicans in the Vatican’s Clementine Hall. He thanked the Order for its collaboration with the Apostolic See and stressed the importance of preaching, witness, and charity as pillars of the Dominican future. Read more.
Flagship visits
Puerto Maldonado (2018): During his visit to Peru, Francis met with indigenous people in Puerto Maldonado, a region where Dominicans have done intense missionary work. The meeting highlighted the Pope’s concern for Amazonia and its inhabitants, and the Order’s collaboration in this mission. Read more.
Saint Dominic’s Tomb in Bologna (2017): On a private visit, the Pope prayed at the tomb of St. Dominic, founder of the Order, in Bologna. This gesture symbolized his respect and appreciation for Dominican spirituality. Read more.
Beatifications, Canonizations, and Appointments
Beatifications and Canonizations: Several beatifications and canonizations of members of the Dominican Family were celebrated during Francis’ pontificate. These include the beatification of 28 martyrs of the Spanish Civil War, the beatification of Bro Alberto del Corona and the beatification of two Dominicans in Tarragona. St. Margaret of Città di Castello, and St. Bartholomew of the Martyrs, Archbishop of Braga, were also canonized. These acts recognize the Order’s witness of faith and service throughout the centuries. These are just some of them.
Episcopal Appointments: The Pope appointed several Spanish Dominicans as bishops: Friar Xabier Gómez, OP, Friar José Cayetano Parra, OP, Friar David Martínez de Aguirre, OP, and also others such as the former Master of the Order, Friar Carlos Azpiroz Costa, OP.
Creation of cardinals: During his pontificate, Pope Francis created several members of the Order of Preachers cardinals. Among them are Friar Jean-Paul Vesco, Archbishop of Algiers, and Friar Timothy Radcliffe, theologian and former Master of the Order (read more), as well as members of the Priestly Fraternities Francis Leo, Archbishop of Toronto, José Tolentino Mendoça, Prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, and José Advíncula, Archbishop of Manila.
Spiritual Convergences
Dominican spirituality and Francis’s Magisterium are profoundly harmonious: the preaching of the Gospel based on closeness to the poorest, the centrality of truth, and the importance of dialogue with the world. Francis held St. Thomas Aquinas in high esteem, quoting from him in his encyclicals, and St. Catherine of Siena, a key figure in reforming the Church and prophecy based on the faith.
He also expressed appreciation for the theologian Gustavo Gutiérrez, OP, a pioneer of liberation theology, and for Friar Timothy Radcliffe, OP, to whom he entrusted the spiritual preparation of the Synod on synodality In his letter for the canonization of Pier Giorgio Frassati, the Pope highlighted how Dominican youth can be a leaven of hope in the world.
A Significant Letter: On the occasion of the 8th centenary of the death of St. Dominic, Pope Francis addressed a moving letter to the Master of the Order, Friar Gerard Timoner, in which he said: “Praedicator Gratiae: among the titles attributed to Saint Dominic, that of ‘Preacher of Grace’ stands out for its consonance with the charism and mission of the Order he founded (…) May the Order of Preachers, now as then, be in the forefront of a renewed proclamation of the Gospel, one that can speak to the hearts of the men and women of our time and awaken in them a thirst for the coming of Christ’s kingdom of holiness, justice and peace!” With these words, the Pope acknowledged the witness of centuries of Dominican preaching and encouraged the Dominican Family to continue offering the Gospel to the world with boldness, truth, and mercy. Read the entire letter.
A Wink with Humor and Affection
Once, when asked what advice he would give to a young man who wanted to become a Jesuit, Pope Francis replied with a smile: “Let him become a Dominican.” This friendly response, full of complicity and esteem, sums up with simplicity the harmony that has marked the relationship between Francis and the Dominican Family.
A Fruitful Relationship
The relationship between Pope Francis and the Dominicans was an alliance in the service of the Gospel, characterized by mutual respect and collaboration in the mission of the Church. Their shared legacy will endure as a testament to a friendship rich in faith and charity.
