Chronicle Report: Provincial Chapter of the Dominicans of the Our Lady of the Rosary Province
Royal Monastery St. Thomas , Ávila, Spain
August 25, 2025
The eighth day of the Provincial Chapter of the Dominicans of the Our Lady of the Rosary Province, held on August 25, 2025, at the Royal Monastery of St. Thomas in Ávila, Spain, focused on preparing the final document and advancing the commissions’ work. The day included strategic planning, a communal assembly, and a meaningful evening Mass. Below is a detailed chronicle of the day’s activities.
August 25, 2025 (Monday)
The day began with organizational efforts for the final document, followed by dedicated commission work and a special liturgical celebration.
-8:00 – Laudes (Morning Prayer): The day opened with Morning Prayer, setting a spiritual tone for the work ahead.
-8:45 – Desayuno (Breakfast): A nourishing breakfast provided energy for the day’s tasks.
-9:00 – Reunión con presidentes y secretarios (Meeting with presidents and secretaries): After breakfast, the Provincial Prior, Fr. Mariano González Martín, assembled all the commission presidents and secretaries to discuss the presentation of the final document. Topics included procedures, how it would be presented, steps to take if amendments arise, and potential problems during the approval process.
-12:00 – Asamblea general (General assembly): All the brothers gathered to hear an explanation of the discussion and approval procedures for the final document, ensuring clarity and unity in the process.
-13:30 – Comida (Lunch): The midday meal offered a break and a moment of fellowship.
-14:30 – Trabajo de comisiones (Commission’s work): The rest of the day was dedicated to individual commission work, with all the brothers working diligently to finalize the document.
During recreation time after lunch, one brother climbed a plum tree planted in the convent courtyard near the residence side, where the brothers had lived long ago, and picked some fruit to share with the others. This act symbolized how future brothers of the Province will share the fruits of today’s hard work.
-17:30 – Descanso (Break): A brief break allowed for rest and reflection.
-18:00 – Trabajo de comisiones (Commission’s work): The commissions continued their efforts, refining the final document.
-19:30 – Vísperas y Misa (Evening Prayer and Mass): The evening Mass was presided over by Mons. Jesús Rico García, Bishop of Ávila, who celebrated with the brothers. In his homily, he highlighted the significant contribution of the Dominicans in the search for truth and encouraged the brothers to live out the Dominican charism and the evangelical counsels.
-21:00 – Cena (Dinner): Dinner closed the day, providing an opportunity for reflection on the day’s progress and the bishop’s inspiring message.
The focused efforts to prepare the final document, combined with the symbolic gesture of shared fruit and the bishop’s encouragement, underscored the community’s commitment to its mission and legacy as the chapter nears its end.
Reported by the Chronicler of the Provincial Chapter
Royal Monastery St. Thomas , Ávila, Spain
August 25, 2025