DOMINICAN VOLUNTEERS INTERNATIONAL –

DVI is a project of the Dominican family which links persons and communities from different parts of the world in order to collaborate in the preaching mission.

 

1.1 Vision

 

To encourage and strengthen the joint participation of nuns, friars, laity and sisters in the mission of preaching the Gospel according to the charism of St. Dominic on the frontiers of global society. This is carried out concretely by sending lay volunteers with certain charisms, and with formation received through DVI, to Dominican communities, preferably those already working among impoverished, excluded people. Upon return to their communities of origin, transformed by the immersion and participation in the life and mission of the Order, they can communicate their experience and continue the preaching mission through word and action.

 

1.2 Advantages

 

DVI is a mission project which links the volunteer with two communities: a “sending community” in his/her country of origin and a “receiving community” in the country of mission.

 

o     The sending community is the Dominican community which accompanies

     the DVI volunteer in his/her mission experience.

 

o     The receiving community is the Dominican community which opens its

     doors to share life and mission with the volunteer.

 

A DVI volunteer is welcomed into the life and mission of the Dominican Family that is spread out in many countries around the world, committed in many diverse missionary projects. The friars or sisters who have requested your presence and contribution are open to share this adventure with you. They are not perfect – as you are not – but their lives are immersed in a mission characterized by a community life style; their hope is that as a lay person you will also be encouraged to share some aspects of it. It is the style of Jesus, the compassionate missionary, and also that of Dominic, brother-preacher, fully human member of the community.

 

Our general objective gives you an idea about how this fundamental dimension will be central in our common mission venture. We speak of sharing values of Dominican life and mission. When you opt to become part of our project, it is expected that you are already living this spirituality in

some way, and that a few brothers or sisters of the Dominican Family are already supporting you and willing to walk with you in your decision and preparation (your sending community). You can count on a support network that will provide you with prayer, human relations, study and accompaniment in mission.  

 

Your receiving community will also share something that is precious to them, namely they will accompany you so that you can become familiar with the cultural context in which they are inserted, and come to know the people to/with whom they are committed with love and dedication. It is to say, they will share their “treasures” with you. You will discover the beauty of the people in this cultural context which will be new to you, and your world will expand. You will have the opportunity to live new experiences; you will learn in many different ways, and you will discover new values. You will also have the opportunity to contribute your talents and abilities in their mission project.  However, it won’t all be easy!

 

 

1.3 Requirements

 

DVI seeks quality candidates for this venture in mission. Therefore we ask you to be sincere and realistic when you respond to the application form. We also ask this of your sending community when they recommend you. If accepted, DVI expects you to take the time needed to seriously reflect, pray and dialogue about the contents of the formation program that we will send you. Please feel free to ask questions for clarification if there be a need. 

 

DVI is a community-based volunteer program, thus communication is essential at every level: with the sending community, the receiving community and the directors of DVI who have special interest in facilitating your experience. We expect you to maintain some periodic communication, and to be responsible in every way.  

 

We require a commitment of one year minimum. In this way you are able to acquire a solid and deep experience in the new context. Toward the end of the year we can dialogue about the possibility of extending the commitment or not (but only for one additional year), that is, if all parties are in agreement. In the next section we specify our profile for volunteers. Are you able to see your reflection there?