The prior general, Fr. Miguel Miró, presided at the 35th Chapter of Saint Thomas of Villanova Province. The chapter opened July 6 with a retreat directed by Fr. Pedro Belderraín, a Claretian. Participating in the chapter, in addition to the prior general, were 28 religious from the ministries in Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, and Spain.
The capitulars analyzed the current status of the province’s communities and ministries and, in keeping with the norms of the Life and Mission Project of the Order, drew up the Life and Mission Project of the Province for the next three years.
General Objective and Priorities
The capitulars, after hearing the report of Fr. Simón Puertas, outgoing prior provincial, and discussing in general assembly the topics on the chapter agenda proposed by the provincial council, worked in study and discernment commissions to establish the pimary objective of the province: To Restructure with Spirit the life and mission of the province, faithfully, passionately, and joyfully.
They then moved on to determine the priorities among the decisions made in the chapter for reaching their proposed objective. The priorieties that they established were the following:
1. Vocation promotion on the part of the community, ready and willing to welcome and to accompany
2. Initial and continuing formation
3. The Mission of Marajó and the option for solidarity with Venezuela in its current policital-social situation
4. The responsibility of provincial administration in encouraging and coordinating the Life and Mission Project
5. Shared mission and quality pastoral service
Carlos Mará Domínguez, New Prior Provincial
After the chapter approved the decisions, calendar, and responsibilities proposed by the commissions, it moved on to the election of the prior provincial. Fr. Carlos María Domínguez was elected.
Fr. Carlos María was born on December 23, 1965, in San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 1972 he began his education at Colegio Agustiniano, San Andrés, Buenos Aires, where he became familiar with the Augustinian Recollects. Years later, after completing his novitiate in Burgos, Spain, he made his simple profession on February 1, 1987, at Our Lady of Consolation Parish in Buenos Aires, where he also professed his solemn vows on March 15, 1992. On September 12 of that same year he was ordained to the diaconate in Villa Maipú, San Martín, Buenos Aires, and then was ordained to the priesthood there by Bishop Domingo Castagna on March 13, 1993.
During the course of his formation, he obtained the degrees of Bachelor and Professor of Theology, Licentiate in Pastoral Theology, and Professor of Primary Education.
After completing his initial formation at Saint Ezekiel Seminary in San Andrés, Buenos Aires, he was assigned to Colegio San José in Villa Maipú, San Martín, Buenos Aires, as director of the technical school. He later had his experience in diaconal ministry at Saint Ezeiel Seminary, as parrochial vicar, and from 1995 until 2003 worked energetically as vocation promoter in Santa Fe, Argentina. In 2003 he was appointed prior of the community at Saint Exekiel Seminary. He was elected vicar provincial of Argentina in 2006 and remained in that office until 2012. In the 34th Provincial Chapter he was elected vicar provincial of Argentina and was appointed president of the Secretariat of Youth and Vocation Ministry and transferred to the community in Guadaljara, Spain.
Fr. Carlos María Domínguez has been one of the principal promoters of Augustinian Recollect youth ministry through the JAR Internerary. During these past years he has been a member of several commissions for revitalizing and restructuring the Order, disseminating throughout the Order Augustinian retreats and workshops on prayer with Saint Augustine.
Other Administrative Assignments
On June 18, the day following the election of the prior provincial, the chapter elected the provincial council, comprised of Frs. Miguel Ángel Hernández Domínguez (vicar of the province), Hugo José Sánchez Acosta, Antonio Carrón de la Torre, and Nicolás Caballero Peralta. Later, the full council appointed Julio Amezua as vicar of Brazil, Darío R. Quintana as vicar of Argentina, and José Gabriel Rodríguez as vicar of Venezuela. Fr. Victoriano Sánchez was reappointed provincial secretary.