This novena on the occasion of the extraordinary missionary month is created to give the lay Dominicans in Europe the chance to perceive missionary projects of the order of preachers. These projects are run or supported by our lay Dominican brothers and sisters. As a novena it is also the chance to pray for more missionary activity and to support this projects in prayer.In the novena itself you will find a part or a shorter version of the full contributions. If you have the time and are more interested you can read the full text in the appendix.

NOVENNA

EXTRAORDINARY

MISSIONARY

MONTH

Day 1

soup for the poor

the project

„It is a sunny Saturday afternoon and I have just been approached to write a reflection on my time here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, working with the poor. It is also an opportunity for me to consider just where the time has gone. (…) My first thoughts centre on the Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen which has recently been relocated from the grounds of the Cathedral of the Assumption to an area known as Bottomtown. The project is the brainchild of the Roman Catholic Church which some twenty years ago saw the need of helping the poor by providing them with a daily meal during the week (…). Many of those who call to the kitchen are homeless and carry with them their meagre possessions; they are the unfortunate ones who have nowhere else to turn for support. Others who come here do not seem so badly off, yet there is no distinction made between those who frequent the Loaves and Fishes kitchen; no hungry person is ever turned away. The meals themselves are tasty and quite filling, although we do have a few clients with larger appetites, who at times seek second helpings. There has been a notable increase in the numbers calling to the kitchen in recent months which begs the question, can the service be sustained? The signs are hopeful; thanks to one local benefactor who sponsors the meals on one Sunday per month, thus easing our expenses. (…) Today, the feeding program compliments the many other activities of the DePorres Trust, a charity which Fr. Jim established during his tenure in St. Vincent. Not only is food provided for the hungry but also clothing and other material goods are rendered to the poor and marginalized who lack the means of providing for themselves. Here in St. Vincents I have witnessed the Word of God made visible in actions on behalf of the less well-off in our society.“ -from Martin Folan-

psalm

Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty,      their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way      till they reached a city to dwell in. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul,      and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

reading (Mt 25,31-35)

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. hen the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’

prayer

Almighty father. Grant us an open and loving heart, so we can take care of those people that suffer hunger and poverty. Give us a deeper understanding of the fact that in the faces of the poor, we meet Christ, your son, our Lord and God living and reigning with you, for ever and ever. Amen.

Day 2

when our hearts are open

the project After profession of vows, we become members of the Order of Preachers and participants in the mission that is defined by the Order’s Constitution. To preach the Gospel in a new way was already a necessity 800 years ago, when our founding father Saint Dominic lived. Today's world especially needs to be reached using new and contemporary methods. In our country where, according to statistics, majority of citizens claim to be Catholics, the word “mission” brings up images of faraway lands. However we will talk about “ad gentes” in a close environment. One path to fulfilling our mission is to preach by personal and communal example wherever we go. For a decade now, lay Dominicans of Lithuania organize an annual week-long camp that takes place in St. Dominic's monastery, located in the city of Liepaja in neighboring country of Latvia. The initial purpose of the camp was to strengthen the bonds between fraternities of different Lituanian cities and to shape and form a shared identity. Over time, essential “pillars” that define the camp have emerged: we pray the Liturgy of the Hours together, we study and learn, we celebrate the Eucharist, and we eat together at one table. Not without the help and guidance from God, spouses and children of our lay Dominican brothers and sisters were also invited to join the camp and to participate in their own way. Elements of apostolic mission emerged over time and influenced the format of the camp. Our camp became a place for Dominican brothers to preach. We start the camp by going to Žemaičių Kalvarija with our dominican brothers during the Great Feast to walk together the Way of the Cross, which was built and maintained by Dominican brothers in 17th century. Every year, one day of the camp is dedicated to praying the Rosary in and for the city of Liepaja. During that day we travel through the city while praying together for the inhabitants of the city and the world. The mission begins when we try to see the other’s heart and we open up our hearts to accept others in. Then we all become a visible representation of God’s people and a testament of His love to people around us and the whole world. -from Inga Marija Ilariene-

psalm

Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;      in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.

reading (John 15,1.2.7.8)

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruitIf you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

prayer Lord Jesus, you made the unity of apostles a necessary condition for the world to believe in You, we pray that our lay Dominican fraternities become places where our hearts reside, places where through your grace we become open to the mission. Amen.

Day 3

The Samba Martine Human Rights Observatory

the project The Samba Martine Human Rights Observatory was the jubilee gesture of the Dominican Family-Spain. After three years of experience (2016-2019), of reading the “signs of the times” is reaffirmed as a project focused on the experiences of accompanying victims of trafficking and migrants (youth or adults).

The Observatory is the responsibility and mission of the Dominican Family-Spain. From a network work, we were born to connect the realities of dominican congregations or dominican entities that work for these groups, and also to collaborate with other entities and realities in our environment.

The Samba Martine Human Rights Observatory assumes the Global Pacts for migrants and refugees promoted by the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, summarized in: welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating. And it concretizes them in his reality through three verbs: accompany, sensitize and denounce. -from Fray Xavier Game García OP-

psalm

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

reading (Gen 18,1-8)

And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, "O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on--since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said." And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes." And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

prayer Lord Jesus, You taught us to see the people next to us. Give us the attentiveness to see the needs and Distress of the people in Europe. Fulfill us with your divine love for mankind. That we ask you, Christ our brother and Lord. Amen

Day 4

Season of Creation

the project

Every year from of September 1. to October 4. Christians around the world celebrate the “Season of Creation”. Laydominicans of the fraternity “Jordan of Saxonia”, together with brothers of the convent St. Martin in Freiburg offer during this time an interesting, varied and mouthwatering programme. The mouthwatering starts already a few weeks ahead, when Clara, Michael, and Markus open their “Laudato Si Grill” at St. Martin Parish´s annual summerfeast. The all-vegan grill has become a highlight of the feast. The official programme starts with a Holy Mass conducted by Father Hans Ulrich Steymanns OP, who initiated the celebrations some years ago. But only when the laydominicans joined in 2018 it became a missionary programme with a variety of events. Talks, presentations, masses with special sermons, lectures and a concert are part of the programme. In answer to the German bishops call for a regular practice and propagation of a spirituality of creation, a monthly “Laudato Si Service” will be started as part of this year´s programme. That service could well be a chance to reach earnest people, who have estranged from or never had any contact to the church. -from lay Dominican fraternity Freiburg-

psalm

Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind; he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire. He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved. You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.

reading (Gen 1,26-28)

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

prayer God, Lord, Creator, You gave the creation to us, so we take care of it. Grant us the wisdom to find ways of avoiding harm for our world and the future generations. That we ask, through Christ our brother and Lord. Amen.

Day 5

Catholic Workers League

the project

In the truest sense, being a Christian means being sent on a mission by Christ and in His company. Our faith is alive inasmuch as works make it visible (Jm 2:17-18). Our missionary work or apostolate is but a loving relationship between us and other fellow humans that mirrors how we lovingly relate to God. Love draws us out of ourselves to build “relationships that are life-giving”, as Pope Francis said in his Message for World Mission Day this year. My apostolate as a Catholic trade unionist is guided by a prophetic vision of society as a fraternal place that exploitative and precarious labour relations contradict. The role of unions is to champion the rights of workers for the common good: a just wage; rest and leisure; safety and security; the safeguard of one’s personality, integrity, and health; social security for unemployment, sickness, work accidents, parentality, and old age; and, of course, the right to form unions and to assemble. Unions promote solidarity and a preferential option for the weakest link in an economy that unevenly distributes the socially produced wealth. The concrete lives of concrete workers who fulfil their duties, whose dignity is disrespected, whose work is undervalued, is an immense field that awaits the seed of the Gospel. Over the years I have done just that as a conscious university professor, collaborating with the Catholic Workers League - Christian Workers Movement in Portugal and serving as a union representative and organiser for the National Federation of Teachers. -mr. Sérgio Dias Branco, OP-

psalm

How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise!

reading (Jm 2,15-18)

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

prayer Lord, God of justice. Grant all Christians and especially us, as preachers of grace, the courage to support those who are forgotten in our society and those who work hard to live, bet don’t earn enough to live. This we ask through Christ our brother and Lord. Amen.

Day 6

A Dominican Week

the project

Every year friars from the Toulouse province set up camp at the Moulleau church in Arcachon for a week of evangelization. This year, what is called the Week-OP took place from 10 to 18 August. Lay Dominican fraternities from the province were asked to take part in this event in cooperation with friars. Four of us lay Dominicans came with our families to answer this call: three from Our Lady of Rosary fraternity in Bordeaux and one from the Toulouse fraternity. With 60 volunteers altogether – friars, sisters, lay Dominicans, young people – we took part in this mission.

On a standard day, the programme ran as follows: In the morning: a mini-retreat, Lauds, mass, theological session and prayer.

In the afternoon: we were given our own task by the friars in charge: meeting holidaymakers on the beach or in front of the church, selling pancakes and

– a special task for lay Dominicans – being in charge of the Dominican monastic shop.

The day usually ended at 11.30 pm with Complines with all the volunteers.

We all came home very happy to have shared special moments with members of the whole Dominican Family and to have experienced moments of grace. -from Marie-Andrée, Valérie, Rémi-

psalm

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

reading (Hebr 10,23-25)

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (…)

prayer Christ Lord, You call those how follow your path to be a community. No one should be alone, none should be forgotten. Grant us attention for our brothers and sisters throughout Europe. This we ask you, Christ our brother and Lord. Amen.

Day 7

Puerto Maldonado

the project

Hello, we are César González Villar and Mariela Reyna Moreno, and we are working in Puerto Maldonado (Peru). César works in Radio Madre de Dios as director, it is the first Catholic radio station in Peru, and the pioneer of communications throughout the south. From this radio are discussed social, pastoral, political issues, but all are based on the recognition of the indigenous people and the care of the Casa Común (Common House). On the other hand, we work and weave communication networks with other media at the level of Latin America and the Caribbean. The radio was founded by Father José Aldámiz, dominican and one of the pioneers of aviation in the area (the airport has him name). The dominicans always believed in this project- to bring communication to the most remote villages. Mariela works as coordinator at the Ressop, which is the School Network of the Peruvian Southern Jungle of Madre de Dios, which serves 23 educational institutions (11 Initial, 9 Primary and 3 secondary schools of eleven Indigenous communities in the most far regions of our Vicariate of the Matsiguenka ethnic group, Harakbut. As a curious fact, the anniversary of both institutions of the Apostolic Vicariate of Puerto Maldonado is celebrated on the same day: November 23, although the Ressop was born in 1953, 4 years before Radio Madre de Dios will begin to work. We also work together to coordinate the mission of childhood and adolescence of this area. - from César and Mariela -

psalm

On the holy mount stands the city he founded; the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush "This one was born there," they say. And of Zion it shall be said, „This one and that one were born in her"

reading (Mk 16,14-16)

Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, (…)

prayer Almighty God, You want us to spread your word all over the earth. Send us your Holy Spirit, so we are able to bring the good news to the people all over the world. That we ask through Christ our brother and Lord. Amen.

Day 8

A Dominican fraternity at the Ittre prison

the project

It all started one Friday night when at the end of a prayer meeting, Fr Patrick Gillard, o.p. (chaplain) suggested to the inmates that a lay Dominican fraternal group be established. It was in February 2017. Several inmates were interested and a first meeting was scheduled. We discussed a document on the history of lay Dominican fraternities in Europe and set up the fraternal group. We continued with our meetings, learning how to celebrate vespers, communicating with the fraternal group at the Norfolk prison in the United States, meeting the president of Belgian lay Dominicans, Mr Ludovic Namurois. It was thanks to his help that we were officially recognized as a fraternal group. In May 2017 we were honoured with the presence of Fr. Bruno Cadoré, former Master of the Order, who visited us here at the prison. We each had the chance to have an individual meeting with him and talk about our reasons for joining the Order. At each meeting, a different saint is presented by Fr. Patrick, then we work on Biblical texts presented by the group president, Albert Rondelet (lay chaplain) or by one of our many guests. Weeks then months went by, leading to the great event of 26 October 2018 when eleven people made their profession for three years in the presence of Fr. Ignace Berten, the provincial assistant. From then on, we have had an additional meeting every month for the professed and the postulants. During those meetings, we study the Bible and we also prepare various prayers for all the inmates at the prison, such as the Stations of the Cross, the Rosary prayers and many others. It is our own way of preaching. We are only at the start of our journey but we believe in it and we fervently pray in communion with all the fraternities in the world and also with our sisters, whom we know pray for us. You are all welcome to share our journey and please remember that in spite of having bars on our windows, we have an open heart. - from Steven OP -

psalm

Praise the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound;

reading (1 Cor 2, 6-10)

Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"-- these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.

prayer Almighty Father, Every human being is called to know and praise you. Let us all go where no one wants to go, to proclaim you. That we ask through Christ our brother and Lord. Amen.

Day 9

A community of preachers

a perspective

How could the proclamation of the gospel look in the future? This is a question that could provocative a lot of speculation. Because the society in Europe and all over the world is changing fast and drastic. We can’t predict what will happen the next two, five or even ten years. But we can look for habits of a preacher. I’d like to offer you some questions that may help you:

1. How do I experience God in my live? What is my personal relationship to him like?

2. What are urgent topics in Europe, my country, my town? (poverty, hate, loneliness, loss of morality,…)

3. What can I as a single person and we as a community do to face this problem?

4. Where do I see the change to let people experience God in my deeds?

I think we all have to answer this questions first for ourselves and exchange about them in our fraternities to find a good way of preaching, that is both: words and deeds.

- from Felix Hoffmann OP -

reading (Jo 6, 1-13)

After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?" (…) Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." (…) Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, "Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost." So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.

prayer Almighty and triune God, In the end of this novena we ask you for the whole Dominican family. Encourage us to become more and more the preachers of grace. Fill us perennially with your spirit of creativity, so we find new ways to show the people around us ever lasting love of your grace. This we ask you the Creator, Savior and divine Animator. Amen.

Day 1 - full text

Soup for the Poor.

It is a sunny Saturday afternoon and I have just been approached to write a reflection on my time here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, working with the poor. It is also an opportunity for me to consider just where the time has gone. The years seem to have flown by so quickly, leaving many wonderful experiences behind, which shall be treasured even more, long after my time here is ended.

My first thoughts centre on the Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen which has recently been relocated from the grounds of the Cathedral of the Assumption to an area known as Bottomtown. The project is the brainchild of the Roman Catholic Church which some twenty years ago saw the need of helping the poor by providing them with a daily meal during the week – Monday to Friday; the kitchen remained closed at the weekends.

Fortunately, Fr. Jim Candon O.P. realised that Sunday being a particularly quiet day here in Kingstown, the marginalised people had little or no opportunity of getting food so he took it upon himself to provide them with lunch. He quickly gathered a team of dedicated volunteers to help him with the task. Thankfully, the Sunday feeding programme continues to operate to this day.

Many of those who call to the kitchen are homeless and carry with them their meagre possessions; they are the unfortunate ones who have nowhere else to turn for support. Others who come here do not seem so badly off, yet there is no distinction made between those who frequent the Loaves and Fishes kitchen; no hungry person is ever turned away. The meals themselves are tasty and quite filling, although we do have a few clients with larger appetites, who at times seek second helpings.

There has been a notable increase in the numbers calling to the kitchen in recent months which begs the question, can the service be sustained? The signs are hopeful; thanks to one local benefactor who sponsors the meals on one Sunday per month, thus easing our expenses.

Today, the feeding programme compliments the many other activities of the DePorres Trust, a charity which Fr. Jim established during his tenure in St. Vincent. Not only is food provided for the hungry but also clothing and other material goods are rendered to the poor and marginalised who lack the means of providing for themselves. Here in St. Vincents I have witnessed the Word of God made visible in actions on behalf of the less well-off in our society. How very appropriate are the words of the hymn Seek First the Kingdom of God to describe the condition of some of those misfortunate people who frequent the soup kitchen:

Some men are barely fed, begging their loaf of bread, from dawn to setting sun.

I tell you, God will give liberty to those in poverty, a feast to everyone.

The poor in spirit require a different type of food, one that nourishes the soul. Here, one thinks of the prisoners in Kingstown and Belle Isle prisons, especially those who are ostracised by family and friends. As a member of the prison ministry team I attend the weekly service within both prisons, meeting with the inmates who wish to hear the Word of God. We also try to assist those with material needs such as toiletries, boxers, vests etc. The prisoners are most grateful for whatever assistance they receive and still speak lovingly of Fr. Jim Candon and of his kindness to them during their incarceration.

Coming here to St. Vincent has been an eye opening experience for me. I am deeply impressed by the friendliness of the people and their resilience in coping with life despite tough economic circumstances. Particularly noticeable too, is the loving care which parents shower on their children, clearly evident in

APPENDIX

the manner in which they prepare them for school, immaculately dressed in their school uniform. Moreover, the participation of those who attend the weekend masses at the Cathedral of the Assumption is a joy to behold; they are clearly much more involved in the celebrations than we are back home in Ireland. The music and songs of the choir and indeed that of the whole congregation adds enormously to the sacred liturgy of the mass. It is a place where the stranger is made welcome and family bonds are strengthened as birthdays and anniversaries are acknowledged with music and blessings.

These then are but some of the many experiences I have encountered during my eleven plus years in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It has been a particularly memorable period of my life working as a lay missionary with the Roman Catholic Church and I thank God for giving me the opportunity to serve Him in this way. May He continue to bless this beautiful land by sending many more labourers into His vineyard.

Day 3 - full text

The Samba Martine Human Rights Observatory

The Samba Martine Human Rights Observatory was the jubilee gesture of the Dominican Family-Spain. After three years of experience (2016-2019), of reading the “signs of the times” is reaffirmed as a project focused on the experiences of accompanying victims of trafficking and migrants (youth or adults).

The Observatory is the responsibility and mission of the Dominican Family-Spain. From a network work, we were born to connect the realities of dominican congregations or dominican entities that work for these groups, and also to collaborate with other entities and realities in our environment.

The Samba Martine Human Rights Observatory assumes the Global Pacts for migrants and refugees promoted by the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, summarized in: welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating. And it concretizes them in his reality through three verbs: accompany, sensitize and denounce.

We accompany - Team in the field of trafficking: Especially women in projects linked to other congregations (Oblates and Adorers; Project Hope, Project Tu casa). - Migrant visits team at the Internment Center (CIE-Aluche). - Reception and hospitality team for young migrants: Hogar Dominicas and Piso Balimayá. - Host team (Internet space, listening and therapies). Welcome to other neighborhood groups for training courses; cooking courses, cleaning, etc. - With migrants outside Madrid: Dominicans in Almonte (Huelva) and Málaga. - Working to spread a culture of hospitality in the face of hostility.

We raise awareness - Awareness team for materials development and training sessions. Development of materials on human rights, ICDs, trafficking. In preparation for the 2019-2020 campaign on trafficking. - Monthly reading of reality from different projects and teams. - Monthly online newsletter - We favor common activities with similar entities of FD Acción Verapaz, Selvas, FD Secretariat ...) - Working to spread a culture of hospitality in the face of hostility.

We have a political impact

- Always with other similar ecclesial or civil groups (complaints or allegations of human rights violations at CIE, in the Southern Border, in specific campaigns to modify laws, etc.) - As members of the CONFER Migration Advisory Council. - Participating in the advocacy group of the ecclesiastical network MIGRANTS WITH RIGHTS. - Participating in the Intraeclesial Group against Trafficking. - We know that we can count on the Delegation of Dominicans to the United Nations (Geneva). - Working to spread a culture of hospitality in the face of hostility.

Projects with other FD entities: - We seek to promote a transversal mission with other organizations of DF in the field of Human Rights, Justice and Peace, to interact with other areas of mission (educational, parish, study centers, etc.). An attempt to specify methodology of the Salamanca Process. For this we are walking towards a new structure that coordinates and connects us better: A JPIC Team and an assembly of JPIC delegates. To interact with the other projects or mission areas and to weave more network with other charisms. Prioritizing the task shared with lay people, summoning them to this field of mission-preaching. - Together with the National Secretariat of DF, we coordinate the new migrant reception project called the Dominican Hospitality Network. A way to influence and raise awareness, giving the opportunity to welcome and live hospitality in different modalities to individuals, groups or communities of the DF.

Fray Xavier Gómez García OP Coordinator of the Observatory of Human Rights-Samba Martine of the Dominican Family of Spain and promoter of Justice and Peace of Europe