Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ and St. Dominic,

We, who have gathered for the IV International Meeting of the Dominican Youth Movement being held this year in Leon, Spain cordially greet all our brothers and sisters throughout the world.

Dominicans, lay, professed lay, sisters, nuns and friars from four continents and twenty-one different countries, gathered to reflect of the theme of “Drinking From Our Own Well”. Our ten day pilgrimage together commenced in Caleruega, the birth place of St. Dominic, where our drinking from the well symbolised our reflection and exploration of the wealth of our Dominican tradition, which vivifies and inspires us to preach the gospel in and to the distinct cultures and life-situations in which we live and work. Like all families who return home for a visit we celebrated, told stories, shared a common meal, and rejoiced in the renewal of old acquaintances and the making of new ones. True however to our tradition as a Dominican family, having rested for a while, we quickly set off for Le—n to begin our time of common life punctuated by prayer, study and preaching.

The joy of our being together was enhanced by the presence of our brothers Timothy Radcliffe (Master), Jean Jacques Pérčennes (Socius for the Apostolic life) and Yvon Pomerleau (Socius for the Dominican Family). The sad news of the murder of our brother Pierre de Claverie OP in Algeria horrified and shocked us but poignantly focused us on the ever present need to preach the gospel of justice and peace without compromise or fear. His life, like the lives of so many others in the great tradition of the Dominican family, inspires us to move forward in hope, proclaiming the values of the reign of God to a world which is yearning for healing.

During our meeting we celebrated and explored the independent emergence of Dominican Youth Movements throughout the world. Young people all over the world are discovering their identity as Dominicans and finding a spiritual home in the Dominican Family. Nourished by the life of prayer, study and community they are being equipped to collaborate fully in the vocation of the whole Order to preach the Good News. In a special way the meeting affirmed the true and authentic Dominican identity of these young lay people. Remembering the words of the Master to us, we encourage you to be young and stay young, constantly seeking the appropriate language to preach to contemporary cultures. The whole family needs your creativity and courage in our collective tasks.

The meeting also recognised the emergence of these new movements as a gift of the Holy Spirit to the whole Dominican Family and to the Church. The meeting affirmed the need to seek to discover ways of fostering the growth and maturing of these new movements for the future.

In our gathering we were deeply aware that so many of our Dominican sisters and brother throughout the world work in extremely difficult situations. To those who tirelessly preach to the brokenhearted, the poor, and the oppressed, we send a message of solidarity and a word of encouragement. In moments of disappointment and disillusionment may you drink deeply from the well of our tradition and find the strength and enthusiasm to follow in the steps of the joyful friar, St. Dominic.

As you read this letter, our hope is that something of the joy and spirit which has animated our meeting will also inspire and encourage you. May the same living water which has nourished us here, sustain you so that together we may continue as a family to praise , to bless and to preach.