During the first semester of this year, two zones of the Latin America and Caribbean region held student meetings, each with its own distinctive character according to the objectives set. The Latin America and Caribbean region is organized into four zones: Southern Cone, Bolivarian, Mesoamerica, and Caribbean. Each organizes various activities in areas such as formation, missionary collaboration, and other gatherings.
The Southern Cone Student Meeting
The Southern Cone student meeting took place from Sunday, July 13, to Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Emmaus Retreat House, Campo Grande, Luque, in Asunción, Paraguay. The meeting focused on formation in affective and sexual maturity for living consecration as Dominicans, with Friar Rafael Colomé, OP, from the Antón Montesino Vicariate (Paraguay and Uruguay), Province of Hispania, serving as speaker and facilitator. Participants included three brothers from the Antón Montesino Vicariate, five from the Fray Bartolomé de las Casas Province (Brazil), and eleven from the Province of Saint Augustine (Argentina and Chile). They were joined by nine brothers from the United States (three from the Central Province, three from the Southern Province, two from the Eastern Province, and one from the Western Province) and two brothers from the Vice Province of Saint Catherine of Siena (Ecuador).
The students were accompanied by Friar Carlos Alberto Muñoz, OP, “Carlinhos,” cooperator brother from the Fray Bartolomé de las Casas Province; Friar Edgar Amado, OP, student master; and Friar Pedro Francisco Morel, OP, vocation promoter, from the Antón Montesino Vicariate; along with Friar Pablo Caronello, OP, Master of students, and Friar Gustavo Sánchez, OP, from the Province of Saint Augustine (Argentina and Chile). Each day began with Morning Prayer, followed by breakfast, a morning formation session, lunch with a short rest, an afternoon formation session, the Eucharist, dinner, and recreation. The recreation was always animated by the student groups, who presented their country’s traditions, music, and customs.
Bolivarian Zone Student Meeting
Responding to the proposal of the Interprovincial Conference of Dominicans of Latin America and the Caribbean (CIDALC) to carry out a mission in some provinces of the zone, a mission was undertaken by several student friars: three from the Province of Saint Louis Bertrand (Colombia), three from the Province of Saint John the Baptist (Peru), two from the Vice Province of Saint Catherine of Siena (Ecuador), and two from the Vice Province of Bolivia. The chosen location was the Vice Province of Bolivia. The mission was held from July 18 to 23 in the city of Cotoca, in the Department of Santa Cruz, where the friars of the Vice Province care for the Shrine of Our Lady of Cotoca and serve approximately 32 local communities, providing sacramental and pastoral support to the faithful.
The friars, working “two by two,” were responsible for accompanying two communities in which they carried out the following activities: in the afternoon, visiting homes to establish close contact and dialogue with community members; in the evening, meeting with the faithful to provide formation on the sacraments of Christian initiation, reinforcing the understanding, importance, and value of sacramental practice as a family. During the mission, the student friars had the opportunity to share experiences and reflect on the needs and challenges of the local communities. They also explored ways to accompany and support the friars in their pastoral ministry, which allowed for greater understanding and commitment to the mission of the Order.
The aim of this project is to foster fraternity, pastoral support, and awareness among student friars of the different realities and challenges of the various provinces in the zone. In doing so, it seeks to provide effective pastoral support and strengthen and strengthen the Order’s mission in territories where Dominicans serve.
