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Foundation
The Domingo Iturrate Foundation is located in the department of ANTIOQUÍA, in the town of MEDELLÍN and its postal address is Carrera 18 E 56 F A 9, Medellín, Antioquia (COLOMBIA).
It is a project that has had a significant impact on the city of Medellín both in material development and in education and religion.
- This foundation has:
- Church
- School classrooms
- Children's dining room
- Nursery
- Nursing home
A BIT OF HISTORY
The Blessed Domingo Foundation, a model of its kind and in continuous expansion, emerged with a clear social purpose, as a response to the great needs of the area, and as a sign of joint collaboration with members of the Trinitarian Family. The presence of the Trinitarian Sisters of Valencia is fundamental in the development of the Beato Domingo Foundation, which began its journey in 1985.
As the needs intensified, the Trinitarian community created more churches and in this way the parish of the Nativity of Our Lady (departmental chapel), the Domingo Iturrate chapel and the chapel of Mary Queen of the Family were born and the Domingo Iturrate foundation emerged.
In June 1972 the Trinitarians founded a foundation in the city of Medellin oriented to social works. In 1973 it granted the Ladera prison (today the León de Greiff library park) and entrusted the parish of the Infant Jesus of Prague (enciso).
“If the Lord does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless”
(Psalm 127)
THE COMPLETE PROJECT
In 1985, Fr. José Azpilicueta, a Trinitarian, a humble and simple man with great sensitivity towards the poor, was chosen by God the Trinity to carry out the task of making a reality what is today the Blessed Domingo Iturrate Foundation, in the 13 de noviembre sector of Medellín. Fr. José shares this idea with Fr. Ignacio Iturrate, brother of Blessed Domingo and the brothers of the Trinitarian Community of Medellín, Colombia. The idea seemed good to them as a result of the Beatification and they wished that it be placed under the patronage of BLESSED DOMINGO ITURRATE.
They began to make this “work” a reality in order to respond to the situation of so many families, many of them with numerous children, who flee from the guerrillas and drug trafficking and seek refuge on the slopes of Medellín, Colombia. These families, at the beginning, built their houses with wood and tin in a rudimentary way and as time went by, they improved them.
Hence, Father José, with the help of many institutions, including the Basque Government, Manos Unidas, the CAUSE OF THE BLESSED DOMINGO and the Trinitarian Order, built the school for 600 boys and girls, the nursery for 250 boys and girls, the church dedicated to the Blessed, the house for the Trinitarian Sisters, the sports centre, the spaces for workshops for human promotion (baking, sewing, cooking, nursing) and of course, food aid to a large group of needy families.
Over the years, social realities have changed, with municipal institutions and the National Government becoming involved in educational and training tasks. For this reason, it was necessary to direct attention to other needs in the neighbourhood.
It is worth mentioning those who, after Father José, have continued to lead the Beato Domingo Foundation. Among them, Father Alfonso Rementeria; Fr. Guillermo Palacios and Fr. Rodrigo Dallos, together with the Trinitarian nuns of Valencia, the Brothers of Calcutta and in a special way the Trinitarian Laity, true architects of all this work, make it possible to continue with the human and supportive care of the Foundation.
Care
All the homes and sick people in the area around the Chapel of Blessed Domingo are visited by the Trinitarian nuns and the Trinitarian laity. It is urgent to care for so many needy families.
Religious care
The Church provides religious care for the entire neighborhood, with daily mass and on Sundays, catechism for children, celebrations of baptisms, confirmations, weddings and service to the sick and funerals. On Wednesdays, mass is celebrated in the house for the sick and their needs are attended to.
Hot soup plan
Every week, from Monday to Friday, throughout the year, about 600 portions of hot stew are distributed to about 70 needy and monitored families.
Markets project
This is for the care of displaced people, single mothers and elderly people in need of help. Every Tuesday, very early, the Father, together with some ladies from the Trinitarian Laity, go to the wholesale market in Medellin to “beg for God”. That is, to ask for what the merchants want to give or do not sell. There are many who do not give away to avoid sanctions. The rest of the most necessary things are bought for the sustenance of the families until a van is full and transported to the Foundation.
Worthy of mention and gratitude is the help of a family that for many years has been contributing rice, potatoes, etc., although in recent years the donation has decreased.
Every Wednesday a good bag of food is delivered to 300 families. We would like to thank, once again, the friends of the Cause of Blessed Domingo who help us with their donations.
Milk project
It is a program for children with low weight and height. In addition to giving them milk, professionals care for the child population, because there is a lot of malnutrition. They control height and weight and accompany them with a nutritional plan.
Housing project
Saint John Paul II said: “Never much is enough.” Therefore, despite the fact that help has been provided with the improvement of housing for years, it is never enough. It is necessary to make housing more dignified for families who manage to put up walls and tiles or tin. Families are also helped to buy school uniforms, school supplies, medicines, etc.
Education
The Foundation also has a school named after the Blessed, where 1,200 children study, and a nursery school with 250 children.
TRINITARIAN NETWORK
