Royal St. Thomas Monastery, Ávila, Spain
August 17–18, 2025
The Provincial Chapter of the Dominicans of the Our Lady of the Rosary Province commenced on August 18, 2025, at the historic Royal St. Thomas Monastery in Ávila, Spain. This gathering brought together friars from across the Province to engage in reflection, discernment, and decision-making for the future of our religious life and mission. The chapter opened with a retreat led by Fr. Felisísimo, OP, focusing on foundational themes of Dominican spirituality and communal purpose. Below is a detailed chronicle of the initial days, including the final arrivals on August 17 and the full retreat schedule on August 18.
August 17, 2025 (Sunday): Final Arrival Date
The day marked the culmination of arrivals for the chapter participants. Friars converged at the Royal St. Thomas Monastery from various communities within the Province, fostering an atmosphere of anticipation and fraternal reunion. The monastery, steeped in the legacy of St. Thomas Aquinas and the Dominican tradition, provided a serene and inspiring setting for the proceedings.
21:00 – Cena (Supper): The evening began with a communal supper, allowing friars to share in fellowship after their journeys. This simple meal served as an informal welcome, setting a tone of hospitality and unity as the group prepared for the formal retreat the following day.
August 18, 2025 (Monday): Retreat with Fr. Felisísimo, OP
The official start of the Provincial Chapter was dedicated to a guided retreat under the direction of Fr. Felisísimo, OP. The day's structure emphasized prayer, reflection, and meditation, drawing on key pillars of religious life to inspire discernment for the chapter's deliberations. The retreat integrated liturgical elements with personal and communal spiritual exercises, aligning with the Dominican commitment to preaching, study, and community.
8:00 – Rosario y Laudes (inglés) (Rosary and Morning Prayer): The day opened with the recitation of the Rosary followed by Morning Prayer in English, uniting the friars in devotion to Our Lady and invoking the Holy Spirit's guidance for the chapter.
8:45 – Desayuno (Breakfast): A light breakfast followed, providing a moment of refreshment and informal conversation among the participants.
10:00 – Primera Reflexión: Pilares o Irrenunciables de la Vida Religiosa (First Reflection: Pillars or Irrevocables of Religious Life): Fr. Felisísimo led the first reflection, exploring the essential and irrevocable elements of religious life. This session encouraged friars to recommit to the foundational vows and charisms that define the Dominican Order.
11:00 – Oración personal y meditación (Personal Prayer and Meditation): Participants engaged in private prayer and meditation, allowing time for individual contemplation on the morning's themes.
12:00 – Segunda Reflexión: Limpiar la Mirada para Discernir y Decidir en el Capítulo (Second Reflection: Clear Your View to Discern and Decide in the Chapter): The second reflection focused on cultivating clarity of vision for effective discernment and decision-making during the chapter. Fr. Felisísimo emphasized the importance of spiritual purity in guiding communal choices.
13:30 – Comida (Lunch): The midday meal offered a break for nourishment and continued fraternal exchange.
16:30 – Oración personal y meditación (Personal Prayer and Meditation): Another period of personal prayer and meditation allowed friars to deepen their reflections in solitude.
17:30 – Tercera Reflexión: Vivir en la Verdad. Verdad y Transparencia para Servir al Bien Común y la Misión de la Provincia (Third Reflection: Living in Truth. Truth and Transparency to Serve the Common Good and the Mission of the Province): The afternoon session addressed the virtues of truth and transparency, highlighting their role in serving the Province's shared mission and common good. This reflection underscored the retreat's call to authentic living in community.
19:30 – Vísperas y Misa (Evening Prayer and Mass): The day transitioned into Evening Prayer followed by Mass, presided over by Fr. Ángel Almarza García (Párroco). The sermon was delivered by Fr. Carlos Rodríguez Linera, Prior of Santo Tomás, who drew connections between the retreat's themes and the Dominican vocation. Liturgical roles included the Hebdomadario, Primer Salmista, and Segundo Salmista, ensuring active participation in the sacred rites.
21:00 – Cena (Dinner): Dinner provided a reflective close to the day's intensive spiritual program.
22:00 – Salve y O Lumen con Procesión (IGLESIA) (Salve and O Lumen with Procession in the Church): The retreat concluded with the traditional Salve Regina and O Lumen hymns, accompanied by a procession in the church. This devotional act honored Our Lady and St. Dominic, reinforcing the Province's Marian and Dominican identity.
This opening retreat set a profound spiritual foundation for the Provincial Chapter, inviting all participants to approach the subsequent discussions with renewed commitment to truth, transparency, and the pillars of religious life. As the chapter progresses, these initial days will undoubtedly inform the Province's path forward in service to the Church and the world.
Reported by the Chronicler of the Provincial Chapter
Royal St. Thomas Monastery, Ávila, Spain
August 18, 2025