Journal
March 5, 2003
ORDO FRATRUM PRAEDICATORUM
CURIA GENERALITIA
LETTER OF APPROVAL OF THESE ACTS
To our Brother Roberto Corral, OP, Prior Provincial,
and to all the brothers of the
Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus
in the United States of America
I have read attentively the Acts and Statutes of the Twenty-second Provincial Chapter
of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus held at St. Albert the Great Priory in
Oakland, California, from January 5 until January 28, 2003. After consulting with the
members of the General Council, it gives me great pleasure to approve these Acts and the
changes made in your Statutes. Let me take this opportunity to share with you our
collective observations.
From the beginning, one notices a spirit of renewal reflected in your Acts. This is
most noticeable in No. 18 ("Our province shall give high preference to the priory as
a model for Dominican community life) and No. 31 ("We recommend that the Province
revive the practice of providing an annual retreat for province members").
There was also a noticeable effort to balance and diversify so much of the Province.
For example, No. 182 states "We recommend that all permanent provincial commissions
reflect the ministerial diversity of the Province." This is effectively implemented
already in the changes of membership for the Intellectual Life Commission (48A, 50) and
Vocation Commission (177H). Such inclusiveness of all the brethren, as well as the limits
on terms (59), will enrich the operation of the Province while fostering the participation
and enthusiasm of everyone.
The section On the Formation of the Brethren makes noticeable changes in admission
requirements (121-122). But more obvious still is the frequent emphasis on learning
Spanish, and learning it well enough to minister with it (68, 69, 119, 126, 131, 133). You
intend to revise the Ratio Studiorum Particularis (49) and you have revised a great deal
of the Regent of Studies tasks (70-73). I thank you for exhorting the Regent and the
Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology to assist in preparing professors for the
Order's centers of study (66) and to foster faculty exchanges (72) as reflected in the
General Chapter at Providence. The DSPT is greatly supported in the Acts (61), yet given
many challenges, such as that perennial need for faculty pay (208, 236) and the evaluation
of their philosophy program (79). All of this is the fruit of serious reflection and
courageous decision making.
On the Ministry of the Word presents a recommitment to preaching, especially itinerant
preaching (81). Specifically, there is considerable attention given in the Acts to Western
Dominican Preaching to guarantee its continuation (83-85). Preaching is emphasized again
with an annual workshop on preaching for students (140). I encourage the province to do
even more in the area of preaching than already stated in the Acts, as this is truly the
essence of our Order. This might include a closer implementation by the Planning and
Ministry Commission (Acts 21-22, 87, 185, Statute 241), with the help of the Provincial
Council, in order to make the mission first and foremost in all that you are and do.
It was noteworthy that there is priority given to the People of God, especially to the
poor (141) and the support of the Dominican Laity and Family. I can not help but support
the Admonition on proper acceptance of Lay Dominican candidates (190). While the friars
are part of the Dominican Family, the use of the title "Liaison of the Dominican
Family" (100) instead of the customary term "Promoter", witnesses to your
desire to give special attention to the strengthening of bonds between the branches of the
Family, and perhaps to distinguish him from the "Promoter of the Dominican
Laity" (106-108). Your ample legislation on the Dominican Laity and Dominican Family
shows authentic care and participation in these areas by the brethren (100-109) for which
I commend you.
Many reforms were made in the area of Economic Administration, particularly in
financial reporting (225, 226, 237). This indicates a serious desire on the part of the
Chapter to make our life more authentic and faithful for the mission.
These Acts and Statutes will have a profound impact on your Province during the next
four years and beyond. It is a new millennium, and a new era for your province, much like
the beginning of your new provincial's term of office. All in the Province have the duty
to read these Acts with open mind and heart, and to actively participate in their
implementation for the good of your mission.
I congratulate you on the overall presentation of your Acts and Statutes, in a very
readable and orderly format. You have made an excellent compilation of all your provincial
documents: Acts, Statutes, Policies, a section for the Deletions from the 1999 Acts, Lives
of the Brethren, and an excellent Index. It has made our review of your Acts easier, and
it will make them more useful and enjoyable to the brethren of your Province as well.
I take this opportunity to congratulate the Province on the recent separation of the
novitiate from the studium. I know that its move to St. Dominic's in San Francisco
required a great effort on the part of the Province, and I thank you for all that you have
accomplished in making a strong novitiate program. Having had the privilege of visiting
the novitiate in September, 2002, I believe you have made an excellent move.
On behalf of the entire Order, I would like to thank fr. Daniel Syverstad, OP, for his
many years of service as Prior Provincial. He has fulfilled his two terms at great
personal sacrifice and during years when leadership ministry has been quite difficult.
In conclusion, I congratulate you on your excellent Chapter and pray that you are
successful in fulfilling all that you have set out to accomplish. I am sending a separate
letter to the Provincial with some minor points and editorial corrections to be made
before promulgating the Acts. I ask the Provincial to have these Acts printed with this
Letter of Approval, to have them promulgated in the Priories and Houses of the Province,
to give each brother a copy for his study, and to send 5 copies to the General Curia.
Thank you for your faithful commitment and for your prayers. I promise you the same.
Given at the General Curia in Santa Sabina, Rome, on this 5th day of March, 2003
Fraternally in St. Dominic,
fr. Carlos A. Azpiroz Costa, OP
Master of the Order
fr. Luis Ramos, OP
Secretary General
(Curia Seal) |
