On 21 April, anniversary of Pedro Poveda’s first Mass in Guadix (1897), a church named after him was inaugurated and blessed in Santiago de los Caballeros in the Dominican Republic.
The event marked our commemoration of the seventieth anniversary of the arrival of members of the Teresian Association for the first time to this Caribbean country, and also our celebration this year 2024 of the centenary of the pontifical approval of the TA. We had three reasons for celebration and thanksgiving.
The archbishop of the diocese, Héctor Rafael Rodríguez, accompanied by several concelebrating priests, inaugurated the church and presided at the Mass. TA members from all over the country took part with students and graduates, co-workers, friends and neighbouring parish communities.
As it was the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Good Shepherd Sunday, the archbishop spoke of how baptism asks us all to be good shepherds through our different roles. He also talked about Pedro Poveda and the originality of his charism. He spoke highly of the ways in which the TA is present in the Dominican Republic and the contributions made to education and to the Church in the 70 years of TA presence in the country.
Living stones
We had a very well prepared and well attended liturgy during which the blessing of the altar and the church premises took place. At the conclusion, the TA delegate in the Dominican Republic, Ana Dilia Brisita, spoke on behalf of the Teresian Association to express gratitude for all that was being celebrated: the inauguration of the church, the 70 years of presence of the charism of Poveda in this country and the centenary of TA pontifical approval. She said that we are aware of being “living stones of the Church” and of the gifts received. There were people who strove hard to have this new church, among them an ACIT member, Dignora Gomez. Their dream came true with help from the municipality and the diocese.
70 years
The Teresian Association began its activity in the Dominican Republic in 1954. That is seventy years of uninterrupted work in the country. The impact on education stands out, specifically in the training of teachers and also in the presence of members in different professions and in social projects. As Dinorah García points out, the TA “does not rest in its efforts to further the development of Dominican society”.
On the occasion of these celebrations, notes and articles have been published about the presence of the Teresian Association in the Dominican Republic. Of particular note is an article by Dinorah García Romero entitled “La alegría de darse sin gastarse” (The joy of giving oneself without spending oneself) which reflects the current situation of the mission and spirit of the TA here.
Link to the full article by Dinorah García.
TA Dominican Republic.
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