On 21 November, 2023, the Master of the Order, Brother Gerard Francisco Timoner III, OP, appointed Brother Roger Gaise, OP, a son of the Vice Province of St. Pius V, Democratic Republic of Congo, (DRC), as the Socius for Africa. Brother Roger succeeds Brother Charles Ukwe, OP, of the Province of St. Joseph the Worker, Nigeria and Ghana.
On November 11, 2023, at the Basilica of San Lorenzo Extramuros in Rome, a Eucharistic celebration commemorated the deceased members of the Dominican Family. The Master of the Order, Brother Gerard Francisco Timoner III, OP, presided over the Mass, stating, “We come here as an act of faith in the resurrection of the body at the end of times.”
Dear sisters, dear brothers, When I wrote my previous letter from Ukraine at the beginning of August, no one expected that the world would soon be watching with surprise and pain the events of another war. This time, war in the territory of the state of Israel in the Gaza Strip. The media bore the information about thousands of dead…
On October 15, the Dominican community at Santa Sabina in Rome welcomed brothers participating in the Synod on Synodality. The Master of the Order, Brother Gerard Francisco Timoner III, OP, extended a warm welcome, emphasizing the Order’s commitment to accompany the Church in its journey toward deeper communion.
From November 12-13, 2023, the Irish Province brothers at San Clemente in Rome, in collaboration with the Vatican Library, honored the centenary of Dominican Brother Leonard Eugene Boyle’s birth. A Mass, led by the Provincial of Ireland, John Harris, OP, commemorated Boyle’s impactful life in academia and pastoral care. The following day, a colloquium at San Clemente and the Vatican Library delved into Boyle’s life and contributions.
From October 1-6, 2023, the International Dominican Commission for Justice and Peace (IDCJP) met in Nairobi, Kenya, discussing global challenges, justice, and peace. The Master of the Order emphasized communicating ongoing initiatives across regions for encouragement.
Major superiors of the Dominican Family in the Asia-Pacific region came together anew for the leadership conference held in South Korea on 23-27 October 2023, with the theme “The Dominican Family in Asia-Pacific: Strengthening Communion, Collaboration, and Mission in the Spirit of Synodality”.
In the Dominican tradition, Brothers, like St. Martin de Porres, bring healing and hope to the Church, reaching those on society’s fringes. Their ministry is a call to embrace the wounded and abandoned.
The Master of the Order, Br. Gerard Francisco Timoner III, OP, appointed Br. Raúl Gómez Sánchez, OP as the new Secretary General of the Order on November 8, 2023. Br. Raúl is a son of the Province of San Luis Beltrán of Colombia and succeeds Br. Jean-Ariel Bauzá Salinas, OP.
Philip, known for his kindness and intellectual excellence, left us wondering about the “more.” He lived in the known and the unknown, reflecting the Dominican spirit of curiosity and kindness.
