INTERNATIONAL DOMINICAN INFORMATION Number 292, October 1991 IN_THIS ISSUE GENERAL CURIA PAGE The cole of Study in the order (complete text of the Letter of the Master of the Order. ....... 130 The health of the Master of the Order... ..... .139 The Dominican Family Solidarity Fund .... 1... . 139 REPORTS ON ‘THE INTELLECTUAL LIFE OF THE ORDER 6. The Aquinas Institute of ‘Theology: a new type of studium eee ee ee eee 140 F THE ORDER FROM ROUND THE WORLD NEWS DESK: New Missions in America and Asia .... . . 142 FRANCE: The first meeting of the Nuns' Commission . . . 142 U.S.A.: Cooperator Brothers gather in Retreat . .. . . 143 ITALY: Meeting of the Promoters of Justice and Peace . . 143 LAST PAGE: News in brief... ee ee ee ee ee ee dd Redazione: Convento S. Sabina - Piazza Pietro dillliria, 1 - 00153 ROMA —October 1991 - 130 - I.D.I. CURIA: THE ROLE OF STUDY IN THE ORDER (COMPLETE TEXT OF THE LETTER OF THE MASTER OF THE ORDER, 25th MAY, 1991) (91/93) | Dear Brothers, "When Dominic wanted to form his brothers as preachers he sent them to study." The importance of study runs like a thread through the entire text of the Primitive Constitutions and marks the way in which observances are lived. “our study ought to tend principally, ardently, and with the highest endeavor to the end that we might be useful to the souls of our neighbour." The Law of Dispensation is introduced, “especially in those things which are seen to impede study, preaching or the good of souls." The daily chapter may be postponed or omitted "so that study may not be hindered." The Office is to be recited “briefly and succinctly lest ‘the brothers lose devotion and their study be in any way impeded." The Novice Master is to teach those in his care “how they should be intent on study ..." This we received from Dominic. The originality of Dominic is in putting study at the service of preaching and giving study a significance, a specificity that is apostolic. study Ordained to Preaching Study ordained to preaching was an essential part of his plan for the Order. In his Expositio Supra Constitutiones, Humbert of Romans clearly states the Dominican attitude to study when he says: "study is not the end of the Order but it is of the utmost necessity to that end which is preaching and labouring for the salvation of souls, for without study we can do neither." He is also aware of the danger that study might become an end in itself:October 1991 = 131 - I.D.I “There are some who devote themselves to sacred writings, but if study is not directed to the doctrine of preaching of what use is it 7” The Gillet Constitutions gave the impression that study was linked to the first years of Dominican Life, a necessary preamble to a life of preaching and ministry! Whole genera- tions of Dominicans have been affected by this attitude. The River Forest Constitutions restored the tradition that study and reflection are an integral part of our religious tradition, yet the earlier spirit persists among many who see study as being confined to specialists, or a particular period of our lives as Dominicans. Pastoral and Academic It has been said that "we must walk in the past to understand the present." An event occurred in 1221 which gave an added pastoral dimension to study within the Order. On the 4th February 1221, Honorius III, ‘commended Dominicans as confes- sors. It focused the attention of the Order on the need to prepare the brothers for hearing confessions and counselling. While the scope of Dominican study expanded to include philosophy with the creation of the Ratio Studiorum of 1259, the commission of Honorius III to the ministry of confessions launched the Order into a system of education with a strong pastoral bias. ‘ It was the genius of Thomas Aquinas to carry forward Dominic's fundamental orientation and to broaden the basis of theological education in the Order through his study of Aristotelian philosophy, which enabled him to give an intellectual founda- tion to the theology of the goodness of creation and the rejection of dualism. In 1265, Thomas began to write his Summa. Fr Leonard Boyle writes of this time in the life of the students and studium in Santa Sabina and the beginning of the summa: ++. he was now ina position to broaden the basis of their theological. education and to break out of the tradition of the practical theology that had hitherto marked the Dominican educational system." He "attempted to set the regular training in practical theology in the Dominican order on.a more truly theological course." Dominic and Thomas shared the same ideal. Thomas' dedication to study was in no way a neglect of preaching, he shared the same purpose as Dominic - salvation through preaching, formedOctober 1991 - 132 - I.D.I. by a life of prayer, contemplation, study and an apostolic community. Study and community The Chapter at Oakland reminds us of the intimate connection between study and community. "The common life is also the context of our study. First of all because no one can speak of the love of God unless he or she;finds that love incarnate. Secondly, no one can be a theologian alone ... a full theology must always be the fruit. of communal endeavor. Dominican study is communitarian. The primary responsibility for study lies with the community just as the community has the primary responsibility for preaching. In the Letter to Brother John, attributed to St Thomas, he replies to John's request on how to study by first suggesting, - how to live! The climate of study is all important. He urges on John the importance of silence, the place of prayer - to make room in the heart for the Lord, the need for a tempered curiosity, and the need to cultivate fraternal charity. Those who live in centers of study know well how study is helped or hindered by human relations. The atmosphere for study is enormously aided by a good community spirit. victor White, in his commentary on the Letter, draws attention to the Second Part of the Summa, where Thomas reflects on the emotional problems experienced by students. and their special need for recreation, Students have special needs. They need encouragement. Have some of us forgotten what it was like to be young and to struggle ? The acquisition of real knowledge is a gradual and interior process. It is gradual because we are human and not angels. No one else can do our knowing for us. There are no short cuts, We need teachers to guide us but the best teacher cannot do ovr iearning for us. They need an atmosphere conducive to study and reflection. This is not the least of the purposes of having a studium, a master and teachers to guide us. When we study elsewhere, it is necessary to have a rhythm of life and accompaniment that enables us to pursue our studies in a fruitful way. For us, study is an observance which makes considerable demands. It requires a high degree of personal devotion, discipline andOctober 1991 133 = I.D.I. dedication. The habit of study is the result of personal endeavour and perseverance. Those who teach have special needs. Your work involves the intense application of the mind. The work of investigation and critical reflection is not known for giving immediate gratifi- cation or guaranteed recognition. The results are at times so meagre that they do not seem to justify the effort. The academic vocation is rare and.those who’ pursue it are constant- ly faced with the temptation to abandon it. You cannot teach students everything and sometimes there is little thanks. Perhaps your greatest gift to them, is to equip then with the tools of critical reflection. Do we need to be reminded once again of the plea in the Acts of the General Chapter of Walberberg ? "We would say one word to the Brothers: Read Thomas; give this formation to our students so that they are able to read the text of Thomas for themselves." Yves Congar described the work of scholarship and research in these words: "The scientific study of philosophy and theology, with all this demands: meticulous documentation, reflection, publication ... all these are integral to the Order's mission. Should it ever neglect them the grace would be given to others ... In Biblical science, in historical matters and in the knowledge of sources, there are today, resources at our disposal, which no theologian would ignore or neglect to use in research work A demanding vocation. our motto is truth. If it meant that. we possess the truth, we would be guilty of arrogance. If we understand that we are pilgrims in the search for truth, we have begun to understand our vocation. Gilbert of Tournai wrote: "We will never discover the truth if we are content with what we have discovered. The writers who went before us are not our masters but our guides. The truth is open to everyone. It has never become the sole possession of any one person."October 1991 - 134 - I.D.I. In the Office of Readings, we find this comment of Vincent of Lerins: “Is there to be no development of doctrine in Christ's Church? Certainly there should be great development. Who could be so grudging towards his fellow men and so hostile to God to prevent it Dominican study is the study of theology. If our study is dedicated to preaching and moreover doctrinal preaching, then our study has to be theological. Because it is specifically theological does not imply a disregard for other areas of knowledge. If it is theological, it is likewise inter- disciplinary. Pilgrims of Truth We have a tradition in research and scholarship. How faithful are we to this aspect of our vocation ? It has to be said, that Brothers are more drawn to pastoral involvement than to lives dedicated to study and research. Yet the Church and the time we live in, needs men and women who will dedicate themselves to study and research and to creating a philosophy and theology which speaks of God to the people of today. Are we creating in the Order the conditions for them to emerge and support them when they do ? How few.of the topics chosen for doctoral theses address the problems of today! Addressing the General Chapter in 1983, John Paul II reminded us: “You Dominicans have the mission of proclaiming that our God is alive ... The Prophetic charism within your Order has received the particular seal of theology... Be faithful to this mission of theology and of wisdom in your Order, no matter in what form you are called to exercise it, whether academic or pastoral." This tradition of study and theological reflection for the purpose of salvation, continues to challenge us. It does not mean that a Dominican is more learned than others, or that every Dominican must be a specialist in philosophy or theology; but it does mean that the pursuit of truth is an intimate part of the life of every Dominican. Is the search for truth still valid ? Some say no. Words and language have been so devalued that they no longer mean what they originally sought to convey. On the other hand a preoccupation with subjectivity suggests that the truth is - how I feel. A widespread pluralism suggests that everyone'sOctober 1991 - 135 - I.D.1. opinion is right - truth is relative. on another level we live at a time when society is so busy trying to solve the urgent and concrete problems of our time, a preoccupation with survival, that the study of philosophy is considered irrele- vant. Yet the pursuit of truth is our vocation. We believe in God's gift to every human creature - the ability to discover, to live and communicate truth. theology Toda’ It raises the question of how we do theology. The Chapter at Oakland reminded us: "We have been most theologically creative when we have dared to let ourselves be interrogated by the problems that have burdened people," as indeed Thomas was. In the Questiones Disputatae, Thomas addressed the problems of his day as Dominicans must address the problems of ours. Theology flourished in Salamanca, precisely because Vitoria and his companions addressed the actual questions which came to them from their Brothers in the Americas and dedicated themselves to a theological reflection on these questions. It is, perhaps, the finest example of collaboration between missionaries and teachers. Fidelity to our past is only possible by addressing the problems of today. We are not being faithful to our past by assuming a defensive or triumphalist attitude or by repeating or mimicking what our brothers wrote, or by a servile interpre- tation of ancient texts. To study tradition out of curiosity is sterile, to study it in a defensive or triumphalist way is harmful. It is necessary to study it critically. ‘The time we live in and our changed circumstances require answers to the questions of today. These challenges are formulated in the Four Priorities. They are the most critical areas of concern today, while at the same time being deeply rooted in our tradition. The most creative scientific contributions of Dominicans in this century were made by men who addressed the problems of their time: Lagrange, Chenu, Lebret Setting the achievement of Thomas before us as an example for our time Paul VI wrote: - he found a new solution for the relation between faith and reason consists in his harmonizing the secular- ity of the world with the austere demands of the GospelOctober 1991 - 136 - I.D.I. “He showed in his teaching and in his life that it was possible to harmonize fidelity to the word of God with a mind completely open to the world and its genuine values, to combine zeal for renewal and progress with the aim of building a system of doctrine on the firm foundation of tradition. He also reminds us that Thomas "kept abreast of the new knowledge of his time in dealing with new problems to which it gave rise and in studying arguments from human reason both for’ and against the faith ++. His mind was open to every advance of truth from whatever source it came." He also warns against a slavish following of Thomas "It is not sufficient to take this doctrine up again with a literal repetition of formulas, with the same group of problems and with the once customary manner of treating questions. "We have no doubt that today he would eagerly seek to discover the causes of the changes effecting man, his circumstances, his mentality, his behaviour." We are challenged to be equally creative. Fidelity to st Thomas means a theological reflection on the "disputed questions" of our time. In an article entitled udio En La : to which I am indebted in writing this letter, Felicisimo Martinez writes: To really get theological reflection going in the Order, the first task is to reconcile missionaries and profes- sors; pastoral activity and intellectual activity; the missionary tradition and the monastic tradition. The existence of these two traditions in Dominican history is not an impoverishment but a richness. To oppose these two traditions is an impoverishment. A divorce between theological reflection and preaching has been one of the greatest tragedies in the history of the Order because at the same time it devalues theology and preaching. The division of Dominicans into groups of professors and preachers impoverishes the ideal of study and evangeliza- tion, because pastors and evangelizers will consider themselves dispensed from study which is considered the territory of specialists and professionals and theOctober 1991 - 137 - I.D.1. professors will consider themselves dispensed from pastoral work and evangelization The tension between the pastoral and the academic should be creative for both. When it is not, we are all diminished. Some Dilemmas with Regard to study Most provinces and vicariates believe that students should pursue their studies in their own country. Experience has shown that sending students in institutional formation abroad, has had disastrous consequences in many cases. Yet the small number of students in some entities makes it impossible to have a Dominican studium. As a consequence students must be sent elsewhere for their studies. Where the number is small they need the company and stimulation of larger numbers. The solution in many instances is to send students to an institution in their own country - diocesan seminaries or institutes established by religious. Some are good but this is not always the case. As far as possible, we must ensure that their studies pattern those of the Ratio Studiorum and ensure a graduated introduc- tion to philosophy and theology. There is a value in a sequential order of studies for students rather than a haphazard series of unrelated courses. The Primitive Constitu- tions describe a form of tutorial system which provided a forum in which students could teasé out the more difficult problems relating to their studies. There is much to be said for some form of tutorial system to enable ‘students to assimilate the material they receive in their lectures. In some entities there is an indifference to studies and intellectual formation, Little importance is given to the academic ability of the candidates seeking admission to the order nor is sufficient effort made to bring them up to a required standard. The lack of emphasis on study is then reflected in an indifference to study among the students themselves. An option for the poor cannot be lived in opposition to Dominican studies. The problem is how to give students the conditions for formation without at the same time, making them into comfortable middle-class people.October 1991 - 138 - I.D.I. Some entities clearly do not put enough thought into the solution of the real problems that confront them in the education of their students. Everything we do in ministry will be coloured by our academic mation Tf we sre to be good media people we must first be good theologians: if we work in justice likewise. We have the example of the first brothers in Latin America. Their success as preachers was precisely *ecause they were recognized as good theologians. ‘They themselves realized their own limitations and had recourse to their professors in Salamanca. Collahrstion We are 1ort of men trained in philosophy, theology and the kindred sciences. In some areas joint planning and sharing of personnel would help to relieve this problem. In developing countries economics is one of the factors which inhibits the sharing of personnel. With this in mind, a fund has been established to assist such collaboration and formation. The details have been sent to provincials. Whether a province decides to send its students elsewhere for part or the whole of their studies, each province should train some men in philosophy, theclogy and the kindred sciences. The doctrina) mission of the Order cannot be fulfilled unless each entity endeavours to train men who will work together as a team in a center of studies, men who are willing to try and work on the frontiers of learning. Where there is collaboraticn between entities each entity must suppl; one to accompany their students to this teaching cente: either ae part of che formation team or as teachers. If we are preachers we are also students. Study is an oblication that gres with being a friar preacher. Sincer-ly yours in st Dominic, Damian Byrne 0.P. Master of the OrderOctober 1991 - 139 - I.D.I. CURIA: THE HEALTH OF THE MASTER OF THE ORDER (91/94) Father Master became ill during his visit to Mexico He flew from Mexico to Dublin on 11th September. There he was hospitalised and underwent a prostate operation. The operation was successful and he is now convalescing. He is expected at Santa Sabina during the month of October. The Master and the curia wish to thank all those who made enquiries as to his health and for their prayers and good wishes to him for his recovery. CURIA: THE DOMINICAN FAMILY SOLIDARITY FUND (91/95) On the suggestion of the Syndic of the Order and in order to respond to the needs which exist for formation, the intellectual life and the new frontiers of the Mission of the Order, the Master of the Order with his Council, has created a single solidarity Fund for the use of the Dominican Family. The Fund has been constituted through the proceeds from the sale of monasteries in Geneva and Glasgow, a donation from a Province and a surplus from the capital of the Curia. The Solidarity Fund seeks to respond to the requests of the recent General Chapters to focus on a concrete solution to the needs of the entities in the Third World and the countries of the East. A Statute has been drawn up to regulate the management, orientation and participation in the benefits of the Fund. Each superior will receive the Statute and is requested to make it known by whatever means he chooses to the members of the Dominican Family, so that they can ask for and receive help. These requests should be sent to the entities "Inter Africa", "CIDAL", “Asian Pacific" and, for the countries of the East, to the General Curi: These entities will distribute the benefits of the Fund to the programmes, houses of formation or requests made at the ordinary assemblies. If any group (Province, Sisters or members of the Dominican Family) wish to contribute to the Solidarity Fund they should send their donation to the Syndic of the Order. (Text: Fr. Francisco J. Zamarr6n, 0.P. Syndic of the Order)October 1991 - 140 - I.D.I. REPORTS ON THE INTELLECTUAL LIFE OF THE ORDER - Aquivas Institute of Theology ~ a new type of atudius (91/96) ‘The traditional studium served the Order's needs well for many years in training future priests. Aquinas institute of Theology was no exception to this tradition, serving as a house of studies in the Province of St. Joseph from 1925 until the new Province of St. Albert the Great was created in 1939. The House of Studies remained in River Forest, Illinois until 1950 when rising numbers of students necessitated separating ths theelccy from the philosophy school ana sioving the theology school to a larger facility in Dubuque, Iowa, where Aquinas Institute also served as the Archdiocesan seminary. In inl response to the ecumenical spirit of the post-vatican IT era, Aquinas Institute, wart- burg Theological Seminary and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary joined forces in 1966 to become one of the first ecumenital theo- logical faculties in the Uni- ted states and the first to offer a joint Ph.D. in theoi- ogy. This innovation set Aquinas Institute on a course of transformation from a tra- ditional studium model to, a collaborative theological Fr. Charles E. Bouchard 0. institute forming men and wowen for ministry to tue Church and to society. In 1981, Aquinas Institute, needing a more accessible location near 2 major university, moved again from Dubuque to its cucrent home in St. Louis, Missouri. In a cooperative relationship with St. Louis University and its Department of theological studies, students and faculty at Aquinas share their Dominican charism of learning with the wider, Jesuit- sponsored university community. Aquinas enjoys cross-regis- tration privileges and full access to university resources, including a 1,200,000 volume library, Divinity Library, the Vacican Film Library, and the university recreation centres. Every aspect of life at Aquinas draws heavily on the ancient Dominican tradition of community, study, ministry and prayer and the modern Dominican tradition of collaboration between theOctober 1991 - 141 - I.D.I. branches of the family. From this rich tradition, an academic community forns in which faculty and students participate in theological instruction and reflection. Supervised reflection on pastoral experiences also occurs in a communal context which brings a concrete dimension to the abstract art of theology. This modern "studium" has a faculty composed of equal numbers of Dominican men and Dominican women from five different american Congregations. The spirit of collaboration between them permeates each of the undertakings at Aquinas. Communal worship and community celebrations round off the academic year and help maintain a "family" identity. still involved with the ecumenical movement, Aquinas Institute of Theology and Eden Theological Seminary (United Church of Christ) in St. Louis share in a cross-registration program with each other and with the Archdiocesan Seminary. The three schoo!s have also collaborated on joint theological symposia in the last three years. The exchange between students promotes underetanging and respect for the various theological tradi- tions within the United States. The Aquinas student community is as diverse as the Church. In addition +o Dominican men studying for the priesthood, the stud body is composed of many women and men, religious and }sy, “27> Protestant students, married and single people, young n3'ci4. he diversity of the student body adds a wealth of evperianee to class discussions. Aquinas Institute offers three degree programs: The Master of Divinity, The Master of Arts in Theology and the Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies, all with concentrations in several areas. In addition, a sabbatical program can be designed to meet the personal needs and interests of a person seeking update or renewal. Perhaps Aquinas Institute is best known for its resources in Preaching, which include concentrations in two degree programs and for the aguines Summer Preaching Institute, a three-year cycle of two-week summer sessions. More. than just a practicum or skills workshop, the Institute seeks to provide a foundation in ths theslogy and history of preaching as well as intensive workshop: in preaching skills. nay csstétute of Theology, like the studium of old, preparss people for ministry to the Church. Aquinas, the nedern ‘*heological institute, accomplishes this task in cellsboration with men and women, laity, clergy and religious. YE you vould like to be part of the Aquinas experience, please write call for more information: Aquinas Institute of Vheotogy, 3642 Linden Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108; 314-658-3869. (ext: Edward Leahy, 0.P. Aquinas Institute of Theology)October 1991 - 142 - I.D.I. NEWS DESK: NEW MISSIONS IN AMERICA AND ASIA PACIFIC (91/97) | Honduras: Four North American Friars have been working in San Pedro Sula (Honduras), since 19 August. They come from the Provinces of St. Martin de Porres and St. Albert the Great, U.S.A. " The Honduras/U.S.A. Project" consists of itinerant preaching, pastoral youth work in universities and the formation of delegates of the Word. Present at the 'send off! ceremony in Texas on 9 August were Frs. Damian Byrne, Master of the Order, Paul Philibert and Donald Goergen. Asia Pacific: The Congregation of Dominican Sisters of Maryknoll, U.S.A. will open five new missionary houses in 1991 in South East Asia and the South Pacific. ‘The new missions are: Papua New Guinea, with 3 sisters; Camboya, 4 sisters; American Samoa, 2 sisters; Thailand, 2 sisters and East Timor, 5 sisters. The sixteen religious are being sent. to the new mission from U.S.A. (16), Canada (1), and the Philippines (1). Peru: on 17 January 1991, the Congregation of St. Sixtus, Rome opened a house on the outskirts of Lima. It is the third house of formation of the Congregation. During the ceremony, presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio, five Peruvian postulants received the habit. On 30 March, the Congregation opened a new mission in the diocese of Piura (Peru). FRANCE: FIRST MEETING OF THE COMMISSION OF NUNS (91/98) | On 24 - 25 June 1991, the International Commission of Dominican Nuns held its first meeting at the Monastery of St. John the Baptist, orbey, France. Taking part were four nuns nominated by the Master of the Order, two secretaries, and the General Promoter. The Commission studied the recommenda- tions made by the Oakland Chapter which asked the Master of the Order to create this Commission in order to increase contacts between monasteries and to be a means of communication between them. "We feel that all make up the commission". For this reason the Commission decided to send a letter to every monastery of the Order asking for the involvement of all the nuns so as to establish a dialogue on "the duty to promote Dominican contemplative life in line with the circumstances of the time". (LCM n. 181). The replies from the monasteries will be the basis of any future work of the Commission. It will hold its next meeting on 1 March, 1992 in Santa Sabina. (Text: Fr. Viktor Hofstetter, 0.P. General Promoter for Nuns)October 1991 - 143 I.D.I. U.S.A.! COOPERATOR BROTHERS GATHER IN RETREAT (91/99) During the week of June 3rd to 7th, the Cooperator Brothers of the Province of St. Albert the Great, U.S.A, gathered in retreat together for the first time since the Second Vatican Council. Each conference of the retreat was preached by one of the Cooperator Brothers. This gave each brother an opportunity to share his own spiritual insights around the theme, "Jesus Walked This Earth As Brother." Particular themes from the lives of Saint Dominic, Saint Catherine and Saint Martin de Porres were applied to the contemporary vocation of the brother. (..-) For the next two years, each brother of the province has made a commitment to encourage young men to consider their vocation and to promote their vocation through a retreat experience. There was a strong feeling among the brothers that the primary responsibility for vocation promotion lies with themselves. (For additional information contact: Brother Benedict Baer, 0.P., Dominican Friars, 147 Benjamin Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49506, U.S.A.) ITALY: OF |OWERS OF JUSTICE AND PEACE (91/100) “The possibility of new policies of collaboration’ in matters of social justice, development and peaceful co- existence was the theme of the meeting of Dominican Promoters of Justice and Peace, held at Madonna dell'Arco in late June. The way in which one man's work relates to that of others is becoming more evident today, and since work is becoming more working "with others" and "for others" (Centesimus Annos, 31), the promoters Strongly urge new policies on collaboration which, based on a coherent vision of particular interests and the common good, articulate themselves in a balanced hierarchy of values and in accordance with a correct understanding of the rights and transcendental dignity of the human person. Taking part were the Provincials, Angelicum professors Carlos Soria and Mariano Foralosso, with Michele Casali, Bologna, Mario Bartolonei, Pistoia and Alberto Fazzini, Cerdena. The presence of Lay Dominicans Ernesto and Franca Baroni, Torino ang Pier Giuseppe Alvigini, Alessandria, and Giulio Alfano, Rome, was significant. (Wexc: Fr. Giacinto Cataldo, Naples, Italy)October 1991 - 144 - 1.D.T, LAST PAGE: NEWS IN BRIEF (91/101-105) NEWS DESK: New Provincials. In September the following Provincials were confirmed: Fr. Mato Bo8njak, Provincial of Croatia (aged 43); Fr. Luis Orellana, Provincial of Ecuador (aged 56, re-elected); Fr. Jorge Scampini, Provin- cial of Argentina (aged 34). VATICAN: Fr. Carlo Longo, consultor. In April the Pope named Fr. Carlo Longo, of the Historic Institute of the Angelicum, as a consultor to the Congregation of the Saints. PAKISTAN: 21 prenovices. The vice-province of Pakistan has 22 prenovices in "Louis Hall" College in Sahival. In May they celebrated the "First Day of the Parents", at which all the parents of the prenovices assisted, travelling from different regions. As a cultural contribution a play in five acts on the life of Saint Dominic written by one of the prenovices, was presented. The parents expressed themselves as very pleased with the formation of their sons and said that they hoped to see them clothed with the Dominican habit in the near future. ROME: Chinese Cardinal, titular of st. sixto. In the June consistory the Pope named the bishop of Shanghai, Ignatius Gong, as a cardinal. He made news in Rome because of the fact that he is 90 years of age and had spent 30 years in prisons in China. In assigning titular churches to the new cardinals, the Pope named the Chinese cardinal titular of the church of St. Sixto - the place where Dominic founded his first convent in Rome. Today the convent is the curia of the Dominican Sisters of St. Sixto. The cardinal took possession of the church on July 1, in the presence of a large number of Dominican sisters and brothers. The Mother General of the Dominicans of St. Sixto in her address said: "The Holy Father, in making your Eminence titular of the church and patron of the Basilica, could not have done us a greater honour." FRANCE: DEATH AT 103 YEARS. fr. Henri Bieth, cooperator brother of the Province of France, died in Paris in March aged 103 years. He received the habit (1908) from Fr. Vallé, who in turn had received it from Fr. Lacordaire. Among the many offices which he held he is remembered especially for his years of service to the Master of the Order, Fr. Stanilaus Gillet. I.D.1. (International Dominican Information). Bulletin published by the General Curia, Santa Sabina. Director: Fr. Jaime Rodriguez Lebrato OP Administrator: Br. Konrad Boyle OP Printer and Distributor: Br. Nicodem Pacuk OP Subscription for one year: $20 or equivalent