The European Council of Lay Dominican Fraternities (ECLDF) has announced that the next European Assembly of Lay Dominicans will be held from 4 to 9 August 2026 at Maynooth University, near Dublin, Ireland.
Gathering under the theme “Witnesses to the Truth: Prophets of Hope in a Changing World – Fraternity, Synodality, Preaching,” the Assembly will bring together representatives of Dominican laity from across Europe for prayer, reflection, and shared discernment. The gathering will be a significant moment in the life of the Dominican Family, offering space to reflect on how the preaching mission of the laity continues to respond to the cultural, social, and ecclesial challenges of today.
Maynooth University, a site of deep historical and spiritual importance in Ireland, will host the Assembly. The choice of location underscores the ecclesial and missionary character of the gathering, which seeks to strengthen fraternal bonds among lay Dominicans and deepen their participation in the synodal life of the Church.
Preparing for the assembly
The ECLDF has begun work on the organisational planning of the event. Provinces, vicariates, and national councils are invited to start discerning the delegates who will represent their local fraternities. Further logistical and registration information will be communicated through established channels in the coming months
Beyond practical arrangements, the assembly is described as a cause for joy and anticipation. It will be an opportunity to experience authentic communion of the Dominican Order, to share the richness of local realities, and to encourage one another in living the Dominican vocation faithfully
