How can you not be moved . . ?

I am, of course, keeping in touch with what is happening in the General Chapter of the Order of Preachers which is currently taking place in Rome : and which will, tomorrow, elect a new Master of the Order.

In the most recent report, fr Lawrence Lew OP, who is there to chronicle the Chapter, has – no surprise – some splendid photos : including this most moving one.

It shows the outgoing Master, fr Carlos Aspiroz Costa, who has just made his Relatio, setting out the state of the Order, now concluding – at least in effective terms – his Mastership by prostrating himself before the Chapter – representing the entire Order – in the venia, the physical sign of a plea for the Mercy of God, and of the Brethren.

Whether he has been a good Master or not I am not qualified to say; and realistically, only time will tell : but that he is entitled to the loving prayers of the Brethren, and of all the Dominican family, I am sure . . . and I ask yours for him as well, as I also ask you to pray for tomorrow’s elections, that a worthy new Master may be elected to guide S. Dominic’s family through the next nine years.