In Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, a local community held festivities in July for their patron saint. Their parish church was dedicated to St Pedro Poveda last April.
The parishioners of that church in Villa Magisterial in Santiago de los Caballeros, got ready to celebrate the first patronal feast in the new church that was inaugurated on 17 April 2024. Two texts by Poveda accompanied us during the days of celebration: “I am a priest of Christ” and “Prayer, our only strength”.
Some background
Since 2004, this community began pastoral activities in family yards and later in an apartment set up as a place to celebrate faith and hold pastoral activities. After a few years of prayer and planning, a dream came true: the construction of a church dedicated to St Pedro Poveda. It was a happy coincidence that the church was inaugurated in the centenary year of the pontifical approval and 70 years of presence of the Teresian Association in the Dominican Republic.
The celebrations began with Mass presided by the parish priest Zoilo Mendez. On this first day a group of children received the Sacrament of First Communion.
Mass on 28 July 2024
On 28 July, the archbishop of Santiago de los Caballeros, Héctor Rafael Rodríguez, presided at the Mass. In his homily he emphasized that Poveda lived a life centred on Jesus Christ and that is why, at a time of great danger, he could give testimony of his faith in Jesus Christ as he repeated, “I am a priest of Christ”. 
Another aspect that stood out was Poveda's certainty in founding the Teresian Association. The aim was to connect science and faith through education, a connection that was not obvious to many people at that time. He also emphasized the importance of prayer for members of the TA because “prayer is our only strength.”
That day a group of children, young people and adults received the sacrament of Confirmation by the hands of the archbishop. Parents, catechists and the whole community were jubilant.
The offering at Mass was particularly significant and symbolic. The Teresian Association presented a tree showing the fruits harvested in the 70 years of presence in the Dominican Republic and in the 100 years of pontifical approval.
The month of July 2024 was joyful for us and has left us with community gratitude, festive spirit, renewed enthusiasm, contagious enthusiasm, certainty of teamwork and commitment to evangelization.
TA Dominican Republic.
TA Translations Team.
Published in News