From July 25 to 27, 2025, the 39th National Assembly of Lay Dominicans of the Province of Santiago de México was held at the San Alberto Magno Priory in Mexico City. The event gathered lay fraternities from across the Province to reflect, deepen their formation, and strengthen the Dominican lay vocation in today’s world.
The Assembly was structured around three major themes:
The Church‘s Lay Roots
Dr. Mariana Sánchez Saldaña and Fr. Jorge Rafael Díaz Núñez, OP, led a dialogue-based presentation on the lay origins of the Church as the People of God. Contributions from the Second Vatican Council and Latin American ecclesial thought were discussed, with Yves Congar, OP’s theology of the laity highlighted as a key source of inspiration.
Dominic’s Reforming Vision
Mtra. Teresa de los Ángeles Cortés and Dr. Guillermo Martínez Cuevas explored the foundational role of the laity in St. Dominic’s vision for the Order of Preachers. The Dominican lay identity was affirmed as essential: preachers in the midst of the world, committed to justice and truth.
Community, Mission, and Spirituality
Drawing on the Acts of the Apostles, participants reflected on Christian community life as a seed of God’s Kingdom. Act. Febe Villalpando Delgadillo and a team of lay Dominicans shared powerful testimonies of how fraternities embody the Dominican charism today through pastoral, social, and educational initiatives in diverse contexts. The Assembly renewed the fraternities’ commitment to be builders of peace, defenders of human dignity, and sowers of the Kingdom in everyday life. The event served as a reminder that the lay Dominican vocation is not only relevant today, but an urgent necessity.
