The 2019 General Chapter of Biên Hòa of the Dominican Order was held in Vietnam from July 9 to August 4, 2019. It took place at the Xuan Loc Major Seminary, 210 Hung Vuong, Xuan Binh, Long Khanh, Dong Nai, Vietnam.
A General Chapter of the Order is important because it is an international gathering of Prior Provincials, Definitors, guests, the Master of the Order and other representatives of the Dominican Family, held every three years, at which important decisions are made. This year’s General Chapter was all the more important because it was an elective chapter, at which a new Master of the Order was elected, something that happens every nine years. IDYM has been fortunate to be invited to two of these General Chapters: the first in Bologna in 2016, and the second at the General Chapter in Vietnam, which has just come to an end.
On July 13, 2019, Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner III, OP, was elected the 88th Master of the Dominican Order. Fr. Timoner is the first Asian (a Filipino) to be elected to this office. He was appointed Socius for Asia and the Pacific in 2016, and a member of the International Theological Commission by Pope Francis. It was a day of joy for the whole Order. Fr. Bruno Cadoré, OP, contributed greatly to every aspect of the Order over the past nine years. That same day, just before the announcement, I arrived at the venue of the General Chapter.
For the work of the General Chapter’s commissions, the Prior Provincials, Definitors, guests, the Master of the Order and the other representatives of the Dominican Family were grouped into seven different commissions:
- Commission 1 – Life–Mission Synergy: Challenges and Renewal of Fraternal Life
- Commission 2 – Life–Mission Synergy: Challenges of the Renewal of Preaching
- Commission 3 – Vocations, Cooperator Brothers and Formation
- Commission 4 – Solidarity and Collaboration
- Commission 5 – Government of the Order and Promotion of the Dominican Family
- Commission 6 – Studies, Centers of Study and Institutions under the Master of the Order
- Commission 7 – United in Diversity to Preach: Constitutions and Ordinations
Throughout those days, all the commissions worked diligently on their respective responsibilities and tasks, preparing the plenary sessions at which all the friars made decisions for the Order. As our representative, I had the opportunity to take part in Commission 5 – Government of the Order and Promotion of the Dominican Family. I am happy to share with my fellow IDYM members that it was a great experience for me, after thorough discussions, to receive the commission members’ support for the whole of IDYM, as we made recommendations and ordinations that speak of continuing to encourage the friars to guide all of IDYM (new groups to be created and existing groups), recognizing the importance of IDYM’s bond with the other branches of the Dominican Family, especially the Lay Fraternities, and recognizing Dominican youth as partners in the preaching mission of the Order, among other points. I took part in the work of the commission until July 19, 2019.
Now that the Chapter is over, we hope to receive the Acts of the General Chapter soon. With this, I encourage my IDYM brothers and sisters to keep praying for the whole Dominican Family and to remain dedicated and passionate in our mission as young preachers. Our role is important in the whole mission of the Order, which is why we must keep supporting and helping one another as the IDYM family.
God bless us all!
Elijor Benjamin “Benz” Rodil