On September 15, 2014, three solemnly professed brothers presented their respective thesis for the Bachelor’s Degree in Theology (STB), thus ending their institutional studies. The academic act took place at the Seminary of Saint Joseph, Macau, in the Faculty of Religious Studies of the University of Saint Joseph.
The first to present his work was Brother Mathew Shing Mang Tun, OP, who defended his thesis entitled The Catechetical Methodology of Saint John Chrysostom in His Baptismal Instructions. His Supervisor was Professor Joao Eleuterio. The other two members of the tribunal were Professor Franz Gassner, SVD, Chairperson, and Professor Fausto Gomez, OP, examiner.
Brother Alphonso Bo Bo, OP, was the second to present his academic work. His thesis is entitled The Challenges of Being a Christian among the Buddhists in Myanmar. The Supervisor of the thesis was Professor Fausto Gomez, OP. The other two members of the tribunal: Professor Joao Eleuterio, Chairperson, and Professor Ana Chan, Examiner.
Finally, our brother Mario Oo Schwe, OP, presented his thesis entitled Redemption in St. Anselm and St. Thomas Aquinas. The Supervisor was Professor Joao Eleuterio, and the other two members of the tribunal were Professor Fausto Gomez, OP, Chairperson, and Professor Arnold Monera, Examiner.
After the required five years of philosophical and theological studies our three brothers defended their respective thesis competently and elegantly. The thesis defense was witnessed by some Dominican priests – headed by Fr. Provincial Javier Gonzalez, OP – a good number of our student brothers and some postulants of the sisters of the Congregation of Dominican Missionaries of the Rosary. The three were approved with flying colors. They will receive their well-earned diploma on September 27, 2014, on the Graduation Day of the University of Saint Joseph to be held at the Macau Cathedral.
Our three brothers are leaving our St. Dominic’s Priory in a few days to prepare for their next assignment: Brother Matthew, to our community in Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong; Brother Alphonso, to one of the three Dominican communities in Myanmar, and Brother Mario to our convent in San Juan, Metro Manila.
Brothers Matthew, Alphonso and Mario, our warmest CONGRATULATIONS. Your presence enriched our life at St. Dominic’s. Thank you very much and “so longâ€. May God be with you always.