New Dominican Vice Province in Bolivia

On January 14, a labor of love came to fruition as the Vice Province of Bolivia was established.  After nearly sixty years in the making in alignment with the Province from the German Vicariate, the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great is excited for the Vice Province of Bolivia develop its own entity.

A large crowd gathered for a mass celebrated by Franciscan Bishop Jorge Herbas, as Fr. Michael Mascari, O.P. read the official proclamation establishing the new entity. Afterwards, Fr. Fernando Delgado, O.P. read the oath of fidelity and officially assumed his responsibilities as the new Vice Provincial. In his moving homily, Fr. Mascari, O.P. noted that even though the Bolivian brothers, and Bolivia itself, are varied and diverse – from mountains and llamas of the highlands to the parrots and palm trees of the more tropical regions, they must strive for a unity and is Trinitarian at the core.

In one of the final events that took place in the “old” Vicariate of St. Albert the Great, Fr. Charles Bouchard, O.P. received the profession of Brother Mauricio Quena. Brother Mauricio was the very last brother to be professed as a member of the Province of St. Albert the Great before the new Vice Province was born the following day.  He made a moving, articulate expression of thanks to everyone, thanking God for giving him confidence.

Our province can be rightly proud of this new entity and we owe a deep debt of gratitude to the brothers who served in Bolivia.