During lockdown, the Angelicum Fraternity in Rome held a series of online meetings in order to stay active. When lockdown came to an end, we reflected on this strange experience. The Fatima Congress had underlined the possibility of opening fraternity meetings to guests – people who are drawn by the charisma of the Order and its style, but appear to have no wish to become Dominicans. The current situation struck us as an opportunity to be seized.
When we met to define the yearly programme, we thought that the second monthly meeting might be devoted to a topic that would link the Dominican spirit with the current situation. We chose Giorgio La Pira’s La nostra vocazione sociale (Our social vocation), which we considered of interest in this particular period, and accordingly we chose to open these online meetings to anyone who might like to take part.
Event Poster
How are these meetings structured? It’s simple: we take it in turns, following a fixed calendar, to present a chapter or a part of the text, summarising it and stressing the most significant content. This presentation is followed by a period of sharing and detailed study, moderated by our Assistant, Br Salvati OP, who is a professor of dogmatic theology. Once everyone has expressed her/his view, we look for common ground.
Our first meeting, held on Tuesday 29 September, was a great success. Almost twenty people had asked to take part, though in the event, for various reasons, only half actually participated. Happily, the absentees told us why they had been unable to attend and asked to be registered, guaranteeing their presence at the next meeting. As this was the first meeting, we started with introductions, and the meeting itself, of just over 90 minutes, gave everyone the possibility to speak and engage in the exchange.
Most of the guests were lay Dominicans from the three Italian Provinces. Our reflections were enriched by hearing the ideas of a number of interested participants who are not members of the Dominican laity, as this is a mark of the ability and possibility to attract people by exchanging views not only on strictly Dominican matters but on subjects of current interest, including politics and social concerns.
During lockdown, the Angelicum Fraternity in Rome held a series of online meetings in order to stay active. When lockdown came to an end, we reflected on this strange experience. The Fatima Congress had underlined the possibility of opening fraternity meetings to guests – people who are drawn by...
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>During lockdown, the Angelicum Fraternity in Rome held a series of online meetings in order to stay active. When lockdown came to an end, we reflected on this strange experience. The Fatima Congress had underlined the possibility of opening fraternity meetings to guests – people who are drawn by the charisma of the Order and its style, but appear to have no wish to become Dominicans. The current situation struck us as an opportunity to be seized.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>When we met to define the yearly programme, we thought that the second monthly meeting might be devoted to a topic that would link the Dominican spirit with the current situation. We chose Giorgio La Pira’s <em>La nostra vocazione sociale</em> (Our social vocation), which we considered of interest in this particular period, and accordingly we chose to open these online meetings to anyone who might like to take part.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2945,"width":266,"height":380,"sizeSlug":"large"} -->
<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://www.fraternitiesop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Locandina-Vocazione-Sociale-717x1024.jpg" alt="Our reflections were enriched by hearing the ideas of a number of interested participants who are not members of the Dominican laity" class="wp-image-2945" width="266" height="380"/><figcaption>Event Poster</figcaption></figure></div>
<!-- /wp:image -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>How are these meetings structured? It’s simple: we take it in turns, following a fixed calendar, to present a chapter or a part of the text, summarising it and stressing the most significant content. This presentation is followed by a period of sharing and detailed study, moderated by our Assistant, Br Salvati OP, who is a professor of dogmatic theology. Once everyone has expressed her/his view, we look for common ground.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Our first meeting, held on Tuesday 29 September, was a great success. Almost twenty people had asked to take part, though in the event, for various reasons, only half actually participated. Happily, the absentees told us why they had been unable to attend and asked to be registered, guaranteeing their presence at the next meeting. As this was the first meeting, we started with introductions, and the meeting itself, of just over 90 minutes, gave everyone the possibility to speak and engage in the exchange.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Most of the guests were lay Dominicans from the three Italian Provinces. Our reflections were enriched by hearing the ideas of a number of interested participants who are not members of the Dominican laity, as this is a mark of the ability and possibility to attract people by exchanging views not only on strictly Dominican matters but on subjects of current interest, including politics and social concerns.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
Edoardo Matteihttps://plus.google.com/114144020668493739495EdoardoMatteiedoardo.mattei@outlook.itEditorFraternities OP
