Chronicle Report: Provincial Chapter of the Dominicans of the Our Lady of the Rosary Province
Royal Monastery St. Thomas, Ávila, Spain
August 21, 2025
The fourth day of the Provincial Chapter of the Dominicans of the Our Lady of the Rosary Province, held on August 21, 2025, at the Royal Monastery St. Thomas in Ávila, Spain, marked the significant event of the election of the Provincial Prior. The day began with a solemn Mass of the Holy Spirit, followed by the election process, and concluded with focused work by the commissions. Below is a detailed chronicle of the day’s activities.
August 21, 2025 (Thursday): Election of the Provincial Prior
The day commenced with a liturgical celebration invoking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, setting a spiritual tone for the election of the new Provincial Prior. The subsequent hours were dedicated to the electoral process and the ongoing work of the commissions.
-8:00 – Laudes y Misa del Espíritu Santo (Mass of the Holy Spirit): The day opened with Morning Prayer followed by the Mass of the Holy Spirit, presided over by Fr. Rubén Martínez Ortega, Vicar of the Province. In his sermon, Fr. Rubén encouraged all the brothers to walk with one mind and one heart, fostering unity and purpose as they approached the election.
- 8:45 – Desayuno (Breakfast): A nourishing breakfast provided a moment of fellowship before the electoral proceedings.
- 9:30 – Elección del Padre Provincial (Election of Prior Provincial): Following breakfast, the election of the Provincial Prior took place. After a prayerful and deliberative process, Fr. Mariano González Martín was elected as the new Provincial Prior, marking a pivotal moment for the Province’s leadership.
-11:00 – Descanso (Break): A brief break allowed participants to reflect on the morning’s events.
-11:30 – Trabajo de comisiones (Commission’s work): The remainder of the day was dedicated to the work of the commissions. The brothers were divided into five groups—two in Spanish and three in English—each assigned a specific topic to address, contributing to the ongoing discernment and planning for the Province.
The election of Fr. Mariano González Martín as Provincial Prior, supported by the unifying message of Fr. Rubén’s sermon, set a strong foundation for the Province’s future. The dedicated work of the commissions further advanced the chapter’s objectives, ensuring a collaborative approach to the challenges and opportunities ahead.
New Provincial Prior
The two days leading up to this Thursday were dedicated to discerning the reality of the province in the “here and now,” observing, listening, speaking, and studying the different contexts in which the brothers are engaged in preaching the Gospel for the salvation of souls.
Prayers and some of the Eucharistic celebrations have taken place in the parish church of the Royal Monastery, where, in addition to their customary prayers of Lauds, Vespers, and Compline, the friars have integrated with the parish community. The parishioners have expressed great joy in praying and sharing the daily liturgy with them.
A vibrant atmosphere of work has prevailed. The chapter has provided an opportunity to learn about the realities faced by the communities and their projects. Through the firsthand accounts of several friars, the human suffering experienced in many countries due to adversities such as wars, persecution, and unmet basic needs for a better quality of life—often caused by authoritarian governments or totalitarian regimes leading to economic, political, and social crises—has been brought to light. In these challenging contexts, the friars, alongside Dominican sisters and lay members of the Order, remain committed to continuing their evangelizing mission hand in hand with those most in need.
On the morning of Thursday, August 21, Fray Mariano González Martín, OP, was elected Provincial Prior for the Missionary Province of the Rosary.
Fray Mariano is Spanish, born in Parada de Rubiales (Salamanca) on April 30, 1967. At the age of 11, he entered the Nuestra Señora del Rosario school in Valladolid. In 1984, he took the Dominican habit, beginning his novitiate year at the Convent of Santo Domingo in Ocaña (Toledo, Spain). He made his first religious profession on September 1, 1985, and pronounced his solemn vows in 1989.
As a student friar, he began his philosophy studies at the Convent of San Pedro Mártir in Madrid. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and began theology studies, which he completed in 1989. He then pursued further theological studies at the Angelicum University in Rome.
Fray Mariano returned to Spain and was ordained a priest at the Convent of San Pedro Mártir in Madrid on July 4, 1992.
He also holds additional academic qualifications:
- Licentiate in Canon Law from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., USA (1992–1994).
In an interview after his election as Provincial Prior, Fray Mariano fondly recalled his childhood and adolescence at the Nuestra Señora del Rosario school in Valladolid. He holds special memories of the older friars in that community: “They assigned us small tasks, making us feel valued, even for something as simple as changing a lightbulb—not because we were particularly skilled or because they couldn’t do it themselves, but to give us something to do and reward us with a snack,” he shared.
Fray Mariano emphasized the call he made during his homily on Wednesday, reflecting on the Gospel passage from St. Bernard, “You are the salt and the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-16). He noted, “We cannot be bland Christians. Salt has many valuable functions, which, in essence, are the same functions we, as followers of Christ and children of St. Dominic, should embody: to give flavor, to avoid becoming insipid, to heal, to care, and to prevent harm, among other qualities.”
After completing his studies in Rome, Fray Mariano was called by the Provincial at the time to serve as a missionary outside Spain. “The fundamental purpose of our province is missionary work, so I have always been ready to go wherever I am needed, trusting that my presence there is necessary. Beyond that, I always strive to help and work for the good of that place,” he emphasized. He acknowledged that accepting an assignment is not always easy, but through the vow of obedience to superiors, he approaches each mission with enthusiasm and a willingness to contribute, which makes it more manageable.
Fray Mariano shared that he was sent to South Korea, where he lived for 16 years. As a young priest at the time, he arrived with a desire to energize the mission and initiated efforts to establish a Rosary movement.
He has worked in various places alongside Dominican sisters and lay members of the Order, gaining insight into the challenging contexts faced by the province. He has lived in Spain, Rome, South Korea, the United States, and briefly in Manila. Most recently, he served as the Provincial Vicar in Japan for 12 years.
Following his election, the confirmation from the Order’s General Curia in Rome was awaited. In the afternoon, the approval was received in accordance with the Order’s constitutions. In the coming days, the brothers of the chapter will continue meeting in commissions to draw conclusions that will be shared with the rest of the province and the Order.
Congratulations to Fray Mariano, and may we remain united with him in prayer.
-Fray Marcos García, OP.
Reported by the Chronicler of the Provincial Chapter
Royal Monastery St. Thomas, Ávila, Spain
August 21, 2025