International Dominican Youth Movement
Next gathering set for July in Bogota, Columbia

By Gina Fleming, OP

Have you heard the news? “The International Dominican Youth Movement” is having its gathering in Bogota, Columbia July 7–15. This is the Dominican version of “World Youth Day.”

Every three or four years, Dominican Youth Groups (ages range from 16 to 20+) from around the world meet. During this week they have opportunity to pray together, study and learn with and from one other, converse with one other, and to simply have fun. These are young people who are on fire with the Dominican charism and are committed to passing it on to future generations within their culture. They are accompanied by vowed Dominicans, women and men, who have mentored them in their parishes.

Sister Gina with the U.S. group in Fatima, Portugal, in 2009

In 2009, several of us from the Dominican Young Adult USA group attended the international conference held in Fatima, Portugal. It was a week full of presentations which provided great follow up conversations, prayer, service trips, and wonderful fellowship. I must say, the gathering was one of the highlights of my Dominican life thus far!

If you have never experienced one of these gatherings, I encourage you to come and join us! It is an opportunity to be around these young people and feel their enthusiasm for our Father Dominic and to meet some of our younger Dominicans from around the world. For more information, visit idymop.org or contact me at domsis@aol.com.

Sister Gina Fleming, OP, is director of Dominican Young Adults USA.