“The brightness of the light we carry largely depends on our ‘relationship’ with Christ. Dominic is the brilliant lumen ecclesiae, because his entire life was oriented towards and ‘exposed’ to Christ.”
Fr Gerard Francisco Timoner III, Master of the Order of Preachers. Kraków, 8 August 2025, Solemnity of Saint Dominic de Guzmán. Homily at the General Chapter of Provincial Priors
📰 News from the Dominican Provinces
📍 Between Krakow and Rome: a summer of study, fraternity and prayer
July and August brought two centres of Dominican life: deep study, fraternity, preaching and much prayer.
From 26 July to 8 August, Krakow hosted the General Chapter, which brought together Provincial Fathers from around the world to renew their fidelity to the charism of Saint Dominic and the apostolic mission serving the Church. A small group of laypeople, nuns and apostolic religious women from the Polish province also took part in the liturgical prayer and study meetings. From the testimonies of the capitular fathers and other participants, the beauty of the founder’s project emerges, which entrusted his work and that of the whole Order to the discernment of the community.
Meanwhile, in Rome, the Convent of Santa Maria sopra Minerva became a visible “house of preaching” for those connected to Dominic’s apostolic mission, bringing together other members of the Guzman family in prayer and mission.
🙌 The relics of Pier Giorgio Frassati: from Turin to Poland and then to Rome
A bridge between young people and saints during World Youth Day.
On the occasion of World Youth Day and the Dominican youth jubilee, Rome became home to both young people and saints. The encounter between young people and the Dominican saints — Catherine of Siena and Pier Giorgio Frassati — took place in the basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, where the religious and lay Dominican community of the Roman Province of Saint Catherine of Siena warmly welcomed this moment of grace and preaching.
From 25 July to 4 August, around the young Dominican layman Frassati, an example of holiness for many, thousands of young people from all over the world gathered, also attending WYD. Young people seek role models for their faith life and find them in credible witnesses such as Catherine and Pier Giorgio, who are seen as accessible to their reality. At the same time, those who came to Rome for the jubilee seek reliable guides to help them discern their vocation. The Dominican Family sent on mission was able to respond to this urgent need, encouraged by the words of the Master of the Order to take seriously the mission entrusted to us.
🕊 Shared prayer: what do pilgrims ask of the saints?
Silence, reflection and guidance for Christian life.
Around the Minerva basilica, which houses both Dominican saints, one can hear the bustle typical of a major event; yet inside the Gothic basilica reigns silence and prayer. Before Pier Giorgio Frassati — the saint of the Beatitudes, mountain climbs, joyful company and active charity towards the poor — the faithful lay down petitions, thanks and commitments to conversion.
Beside his “sister” in faith and vocation, Catherine of Siena, whom he tried to imitate in his fidelity to the Church and Dominican spirituality, Frassati remains an example, guide and counsellor. At the end of the pilgrimage, after a brief pause beside his incorrupt body, many young people exclaimed, “The effort of the journey was worth it,” happy to have experienced faith in a serene, welcoming and communal atmosphere.
🌍 International Dominican youth: fraternity and mission at the Minerva
Days of practical spirituality: Rosary, adoration and vigil.
Coinciding with WYD, international Dominican youth gathered at the house of Catherine of Siena and at the feet of Pier Giorgio Frassati to resume the path “upwards”, inspired by the spiritual harmony of these two lay brothers. The young were drawn to Catherine’s strong initiative and Pier Giorgio’s disarming simplicity.
The days at the Minerva were marked by both communal and personal prayer; particularly, the Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration were the beating heart of the lived fraternity. The initiative, born within the European Council of Dominican Laity Fraternities (ECLDF), took shape thanks to the Fraternity of the Minerva, which carried it out with the support of ECLDF members present in Rome, including its current Formation Adviser. The Fraternity promoted and organised a vigil that brought together friars, the faithful and pilgrims, also broadcast online via the Facebook page of the Roman Province laity, with the main purpose of praying for new vocations and perseverance in the mission.
✝️ Feast of Saint Dominic (8 August): tradition and commitment
A longstanding fraternal custom between Orders.
Tradition holds that on the solemnity of Saint Dominic, Franciscan friars preside over the Eucharistic celebration — and on the solemnity of Saint Francis, the Preacher friars return the favour. This year was no exception, a sign of the centuries-old friendship between the two mendicant Orders.
The solemnity was also an occasion for many friars, laypeople and Dominican nuns to consecrate or renew their dedication to the Gospel: religious pronounced the profession of the evangelical counsels and Dominican laypeople made the promise to live according to the Rule. These events took place in a climate of fraternity and joy, bearing witness to the grace of serving God together with brothers. Grateful for the gift of vocations, we congratulate the brothers from Poland and other parts of the world who made their profession, asking God for the gift of holy perseverance in the apostolic mission of the Order.
🌹 Entrustment and thanksgiving to the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary
Lourdes, a place of renewal and maternal protection.
At the beginning of July, a delegation of the Dominican Family from Italy, Spain and other countries made a pilgrimage to the Marian sanctuary of Lourdes to pray and renew body and spirit. At the end of the pilgrimage, a candle was lit for Our Lady of Lourdes to entrust the General Chapter and the provincial chapters to her intercession, which will take place in September.
On the solemnity of the Assumption, the Order once again gave thanks for the heavenly favours received during recent months and, with filial confidence, implored once more the maternal protection of the Mother of God for the entire Order of Preachers, so that each member may be enlightened and guided by her loving care.
