Capítulo General 2007. Orden de Predicadores. Bogotá 2007.

Bogota, D.C. July 24, 2007

A PERFECT COMBINATION: FRENCH LANGUAGE AND GREGORIAN CHANTS

The liturgy was in charge of French speakers. They did very well since they had prepared songs, tones, positions, voices, etc., the previous day. The results were a very beautiful and harmonic Dominican liturgy. There was perfect coordination between sisters and brothers who were in tune, particularly when singing a cappella. There were sopranos, mezzo-sopranos, baritones and tenors. All was complemented with the Gregorian choir who created a seclusion atmosphere just for what we contemplate and celebrate in the breaking of the bread.

Our brothers, Fr. Andrzej Kostecki, O.P. Vicar of the General Vicariate of Hungary, Fr. Jacek O.P. Vicar of the General Vicariate of the Guardian Angels (Baltic Countries) and Fr. Benedikt Robert Hajas, O.P., Provincial of Slovakia celebrated. Two deacons assisted them, Fr. Rodrigo and Fr. Wilson, both who are from the Province of Colombia. The homilist, Fr. Benedikt, reminded us that to come to be a disciple, it is necessary to have an objective in life in which there is a beginning and a path to go through. That implies a conversion process, a radical change in which Jesus accompanies us as a faithful friend.

THE MEGA DOCUMENTATION CENTER

NWe do not need to go to Caleruega, Bologna, Mexico, Providence or Krakow to obtain the documents and the necessary information that our capitulars may need. There’s a room in the Priory that has been equipped with all the documentation that the Order has produced in the most recent general chapters and, of course, its origins. Besides finding the help of friars in charge of the Center, we find the different reports of each province or institution that is part of the Dominican Family in the world.

Well, with all this information that has been classified and translated into French, English, Spanish, Latin -amongst others-, our capitulars have a more concrete and precise referent on the issues to be discussed in each one of the commissions or sessions.

The Chapter has already made some of our brothers and sisters consult this Mega Documentation Center that is up to our prestigious capitulars.

EVALUATION TIME

In the day-to-day of the chapter, it is necessary to evaluate the activities, the logistics, the work already achieved, everything that has been developed these days. For such purpose, there is a Central Committee that gathers regularly to analyze the evolution of the Chapter. They consider different aspects like liturgies, lodging, commissions work, translation, photocopying, and of course, the chronicler’s job (my job!), in order to improve, to encourage, and to exhort us to responsibility and reliance on us to carry out our duties.

NEW FRIENDS TURNED UP. THE PETS OF THE CHAPTER

Today we saw new friends at the Priory, a small group that had been hiding somewhere. They are six puppies that have nested in the main entrance. Some friars seem to be very familiar to them. Why are they around? Perhaps a Dominican memory brought them here?

To enliven the end of this day, the Music Group "Matiz", from The Enrique Lacordaire School in Cali, a city located at the south west of the country, played different kinds of Colombian music.

AT SUNSET AND JUST BEFORE THE VESPERS, WE THANK ALMIGHTY FATHER FOR HAVING GIVEN US THE CHANCE TO SHARE THIS DAY WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

Fr. Ubaldo
Chronicler

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