Capítulo General 2007. Orden de Predicadores. Bogotá 2007.

Bogotá, D.C. July 30 2007

St. Peter Chrysologus Archbishop of Ravenna and Doctor of the Church

A new week has begun here in the General Chapter. Our Eucharist was celebrated in French by the Provincials of the Provinces of Saint Dominic and Saint Thomas in Italy. The homilist this time was Fr. Giovanni Distante, O.P, Provincial of the Province of Saint Thomas Aquina, who preached about "becoming aware of the necessity of more complete and visible solidarity with the human beings of our time"; a preoccupation that must be present in the General Chapter. The songs for the Eucharist were in charge of the student brothers.

Alter breakfast, the General Secretary read the agenda of the day. Everyone got ready to organize our tasks and offices so that the General Chapter could continue its activities.

CLOSE TO YOU, LORD.... YOU TOOK OUR BROTHER
DOMINIQUE RENOUARD, O.P.

At 9:00 a.m., something was happening in room 259. Friars ran, called, asked for Fr. Leonardo Orozco -student of the Province of Colombia, and who is a doctor in charge of the infirmary and the medical attention to all the capitulars.

When the Priory bell rings after hours, it is understood that somebody has died. It was a fact, our brother Fr. Dominique Renouard, O.P., Vicar of the Master of the Order, had died from a sudden cardiac attack at dawn.

Writing these lines I think about what we have lived in this Chapter. In our special celebration yesterday, in all the pleasing experiences that we have shared during these days here in the Saint Dominic Priory. Now I feel and I make memory of the Jeremiah’s lamentations "... Let mine eyes run down with tears ... " (Jer. 14, 17-18)

Right after, the Master of the Order gave the news to the capitulars and the General Secretary of the Chapter sent an official notice to all the brothers and sisters in the Order of Preachers on this event that saddens the Order.

Soon we moved, all in silence, to the Priory Church for the memorial service. Undoubtedly, we are absolutely sad.

Revising the photographic file of the Chapter, we found registries of Fr. Dominique: an organized demanding man, always smiling. He shared with his brothers all the time. It is the memory that he left: his smile, his work and his friendship. May God keep him enjoying eternal Easter.

As the chronicler, I did not know what to write, what to say, how to begin. Our consternation is evident. The afternoon passed; it’s 6:00 p.m., I am finishing this chronicle and going to our Church to concelebrate the Eucharist for the eternal rest of our brother along with all the friars and the Dominican family, because "Happy Day it will be, believing in you, when I live close to you. My voice will praise your holy name there, and my soul will enjoy being close to you"

+ Fr. Dominique Renouard, OP
(01/12/1947, France – 30/07/2007, Colombia)

Fr. Ubaldo
Chronicler

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