Spain [ FRANÇAIS ][ ESPAGNOL ]

After their annual retreat, the Spanish province celebrated the perpetual profession of Raquel and Maria. The Liturgy was held in Valladolid, in the Huerta del Rey Chapel and the reception followed at La Finca. The province was very present to these sisters and with joy accompanied them to this significant moment. The day was a celebration of community and of Gospel hope; a day to remember that God takes care of the "treasure we hold in earthen vessels."

December 28 to 30 a provincial gathering was held on the theme of celibacy. In light of celibacy as a way of life, maturity and loving identification with Christ and his project, a Dominican brother helped the sisters work on four major points: celibacy and the way to maturity, celibacy and ministry, celibacy and community, celibacy and spiritual work. Specific Dominican aspects were underlined, especially through a description of Dominic's personality in a text by Anselm Grüm.

A group of religious met with a group of journalists to discuss how the media treats information on religious. Journalists gave a positive view of religious life: "It is the visible image of the Church in Spain, of service and of an experience of God." They also challenged religious to train their members in communication so as to project a more relevant image of a religious vocation.
In Chili, 200 women received diplomas as they completed training sessions in cooking, child care, hairstylingThe celebration was held in the context of the Gospel story about the woman bent with burdens. The women expressed the difficulties weighing them down and the liberation they felt because these sessions prepared them for work to help support their families. Hopefully, finances will keep coming so these training sessions can continue.

The Dominican family in Spain has been working toward collaboration for a few years now. One of the first collaborative efforts was Youth Ministers meetings. Three years ago the group decided to move forward and hold youth activities together. This gave birth to the Easter Gathering of youth between the ages of 16 and 18. The road to collaboration is not always easy or rapid but more collaborative projects are being planned in the areas of discernment and formation of youth ministers. Working as a family is most enriching.