Meeting of the Claretian Family in Dominican Republic

San Francisco de Macorís, Dominican Republic. While celebrating the paschal joy, on May 4, 2019, the Claretian Family in Dominican Republic held its annual meeting at the Casa de Acogida Vocacional Corazón de María in San Francisco de Macorís. Five of the eight branches of the family that were present – Missionary Sisters of the Claretian Institute, Lay Claretians, Religious of Mary Immaculate, Daughters of the Holy and Immaculate Heart of Mary Cordimarian Filiation, Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary – thanked God for the gift of charism that binds them and bring them together. They fanned the vocational flame to continue in the style of Claret, serving and offering oneself to God through others, in the diverse contexts and realities that corresponds to each of them. Fr. Mathew Vattamattam, CMF, Superior General of the Claretian Missionaries attended the family day with the theme “One family and one heart” and shared to them a reflection on the present life of the Claretian Family worldwide and encouraged them to continue walking together, in shared mission. He also presided the Holy Eucharist together with Fr. Camilo Minaya, Major Superior of Antillas Delegation and Frs. Toribio Garcia and Ikem Ogugua, CMFF. The fraternal meeting did not only bring infinite gratitude to God for the many works and events that the Claretian Family lived during these past years, it also served as an occasion to communicate the good news that the Spirit raised for the life and mission of each branch. As a Missionary Family in the style of Saint Anthony Mary Claret, they renewed the awareness that they are one Family, one heart.