Fausto Gomez, OP
On a Friday afternoon Linus tells his friend Charlie Brown of the Peanuts Family: Have a happy week-end. The round-headed boy, the kind master of Snoopy answers him: Thank you. And in pensive mood asks Linus, the kid with the security blanket: Incidentally, what is happiness? Through the Jubilee Year of Mercy, some are asking, Incidentally, what is mercy?
Philosopher Spinoza says that virtue fascinates and attracts. Virtue is a good habit, a firm internal inclination that directs persons to live as flourishing human beings,a trait of character which shapes our vision of life.
Virtues, sources of true happiness, put order in our lives and harmonize dynamically our potencies, traits and skills. Virtues are harmoniously interconnected like the parts of an organism. There are the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, which are God gifts, and the moral/cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance, which are God gifts and are also acquired by us through repetition of similar acts. Rooted in divine grace, the infused virtues are perfected by the Gifts of the Holy Spirit present in the graceful soul, which is inhabited by the Blessed Trinity.
The virtue of mercy is deeply connected with the virtue of charity which is love of God and love of all neighbor, which is the virtue above all others (CCC, 25), the form of all virtues, their mother and coordinator. A free gift from God, charity is joyful, peaceful and merciful. Mercy is a fruit of charity (Gal 5:22-23), an internal effect of charity as love of neighbor. It is a great virtue proceeding from charity or from human love and presupposing justice. Mercy is above justice, but there cannot be true mercy without justice and no full justice without merciful love. The virtue of mercy, a gift of God love, may also be acquired through repetition of compassionate acts of love, of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
Through the practice of mercy, we participate in the lives of other human beings and in the life of the Blessed Trinity. God One and Triune is merciful and in his mercy shines in a great manner his omnipotence. The greatest virtue human persons may possess is charity, which unites them to God and makes them similar – in a real but limited way -, to him. Among all the virtues related to the neighbor, mercy is the highest virtue (St. Thomas Aquinas).
Mercy or compassion can be a mere emotion or passion of the sense appetite or a virtue of the intellectual appetite, the will, in which case it is also related to the passions. If compassion is only a passion of the senses when facing the misery of another then it is not a virtue but a passion or feeling or emotion that does nothing to alleviate the suffering of the neighbor. If it is a free movement of the will regulated by reason, aroused by the suffering of another person and leading to do something positive about that suffering, then it is the virtue of compassion or mercy: affective and effective mercy.
Compassion or sympathy is opposed to apathy and antipathy. Apathy is indifference to the sufferings of others. A person who does not transcend himself or herself, who is self-centered is not compassionate. Antipathy is the opposite of compassion. It is an attitude of dislike if not condemnation of some others, like the poor, the uneducated, the refugees, the migrants, women, the elderly, and children. Empathy, moreover, is wider than compassion, for it places the empathetic in the shoes of the others – not only of those who are needy (compassion), but also of those who are happy (see Rom 12:15).
There may be also true and false compassion. True compassion entails to be moved by the neighbor suffering and do something good about it, while false compassion, or pseudo-mercy, is ending our neighbor life – be an unborn child through abortion, or a terminally ill patient or a dependent elderly through euthanasia and assisted suicide. St. John Paul II writes: True compassion leads to sharing another pain; it does not kill the person whose suffering we cannot bear.
Mercy then is heartfelt sympathy for another’s distress that impels us to succor him if we can (St. Augustine). Mercy is having compassion of heart for the unfortunate and unhappy. Mercy or compassion entails to suffer the other pain as our own. To be in the place of the other is to be close to the victims of poverty, injustice, and violence.
Mercy then is not merely to feel sentimentally the pain of the other, but also to do something to relieve that pain as if it were ours. Are we obliged to do something for all the needy we meet on our daily journey of life? No one can help all persons in need and therefore we are not obliged. However, as St. Thomas Aquinas tells us, we are obliged to help one who is in urgent need.
St. Caesarius of Arles writes: There are two kinds of mercy, mercy on earth and mercy in heaven, human mercy and divine mercy. What is human mercy then? It makes you concerned for the hardships of the poor. What is divine mercy like? It forgives sinners.
Mercy is the essence of the Gospel and the key to Christian life (Cardinal Walter Kasper). May the Jubilee Year of Mercy help us all make of mercy our lifestyle!
(Published also in O Clarim, The Macau Catholic Weekly, December 2015))
SAINT PAUL SCHOOL 45TH ANNIVERSARY – Loyalty Recognition Awards Ceremony.
“The year 2016 is not just another year. January 25 is not just another day†statements which were conveyed in the introduction video presentation The year and the day marked a significant milestone in the history of Saint Paul School, the School community, and the lives of those who were and are privileged to be a part of this remarkable community.
January 25, 2016 sees the celebration of the School 45th Anniversary, but as the Principal, Fr. Alejandro Salcedo in his speech “…today’s celebration is not about Saint Paul School as such. It is about the loyalty, commitment and pride that you, teachers and staff have demonstrated in your service to our School and most important to our students, and we have come here to acknowledge you and applaud.â€
 The day began with a thanksgiving mass in the school hall presided by the Most Reverend Bishop of Macau Stephen Lee and with the presence of Fr. Javier González – Provincial of Our Lady of the Rosary Province -, Fr. José Luis de Miguel – Prior of the community of Saint Dominic Priory of Macau -, Fr. Bonifacio G. SolÃs, Fr. Dionisio Cabezón, Fr. Fernando Muñoz and the three fathers working in the school Fr. Chan, Fr. Legido and Fr. Salcedo as concelebrants in this rich and emotive ceremony. The school hall full to its capacity with teachers and students was, thanks to Sister Camino, decorated for the occasion. The warm and the sincerity of the prayers were evident and apparent during the offertory when, besides the offering of the bread and wine, each one of the catholic teachers offered a candle, and each one of the catholic students a rose to Saint Paul Apostle, Patron of the School. The silence in the school hall, surrounded by a sense of personal prayer was so intense, that even the official photographer of the ceremony did not take any picture not to disturb the peace of the moment.
In his homily Bishop Lee emphasized the figure of Saint Paul Apostle and in perfect harmony connected the conversion of Saint Paul and the commitment and loyalty we all must have in our roles as teachers and students. He encouraged the teachers and students to offer their talents for the good and welfare of the Saint Paul School community and the Macau society as a whole.
The second part of the ceremony ‘Saint Paul School Teachers and Staff Loyalty Awards’ started with the welcoming of the guests at the main entrance of the School and the Fra Angelico exhibition Gallery, where, assisted by the students tea and coffee were offered as the guests were arriving. Back at the state-of-art School Hall, the teachers and staff being awarded were greeted and applauded by the over 800 students and teachers present in the hall, teachers and students following the ceremony from the classrooms, Principals and representatives from about 30 different schools, parents and main guests, among whom we can mentioned Bishop Lee as representative of the Diocese of Macau, Fr. Javier González as the representative of Our Lady of the Rosary Province, Ms. Vicky Leong representing the Director of the Ministry of Education, the Delegates from Rome Monsignors Ante Jozic and Andrea Francia, representatives from the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau Special Administrative Region, the supervisor of Rosaryhill school, Fr. Vicente Sánchez and the two Principals, Fr. Emiliano Pérez, and other members of the diocese and the Macau Society.
      The ceremony began with a modern dance and we were led all through the ceremony by the two MCs, who although difficult to believe for their outstanding and highly professional performance, were a form 4 young lady and a school past student. The ceremony was exceptionally touching and moving as we all witnessed the 83 teachers and staff, out of the 293 personnel rendering their service at Saint Paul School, being awarded as Bishop Lee, Fr. Provincial and Ms. Vicky Leong presented the conferred certificates.
Saint Paul School presented their respects and heartfelt thanks to three retired teachers for their hard work and dedication during their years at Saint Paul. Not only emotion and warm feeling were seen when each of the teachers offered a rose to each of the retired teachers, but also tears were present in the eyes of some of the successors of those great three teachers as they shared with all of us how delighted they felt to be there on that special day and above all how proud they felt seeing their students following their steps and taking up their places in the teaching profession.
It was Fr. Athanasius Chan, the Director of the Pastoral Care of the School and the Deputy Principal who received the Apostolic Blessing from the hands of Monsignor Ante Jozic. On Behalf of His Holiness Pope Francis he extended His blessings and congratulations to the whole community of Saint Paul School
As Ms Vicky Leong, representative of the Director of the Education Bureau, said in her address to the audience, today is a special day for Saint Paul School because not only we celebrate 45 years of contribution to the Macau society but mainly because in the awards presented to the teachers and staff one can see the loyalty and faithfulness of these people towards the School and towards their careers.
The in-between performances ‘In your Hands’ sang by the President of the Old Students Association, and the ‘Saint Paul School Legacy Light Dance’ performed by Saint Paul School modern dance team compared to the highest standards as it is already a tradition at Saint Paul School. The song ‘You Raised Me Up’, interpreted by 5 students, was the best way to close the ceremony and once more thank not only the 83 teachers and staff who were awarded but to everybody who is giving their best and support the dreams and hopes of each student at Saint Paul school.
January 25, 2016, was not just another year, was not just another day. It was truly a special day of honoring the excellence that Saint Paul School has fostered. A.S.G.
In the Dominican way of living, already 800 years, many books, studies, researches, etc. have been touching on, and searching for the best way to live in communion as Brothers and Sisters. So, today, are there any new things to talk about the Religious Life? The answer is YES. The Dominican Brothers of the Holy Rosary Province are making something new during these days.
Due to the breaking-time of the classes in Seminaries, the Brothers who are studying in the Holy Spirit Seminary of Hong Kong Diocese and the Brothers who are studying in Saint Joseph Seminary (USJ) – Macau gather together at Saint Dominic Priory – Macau to have “Formation Classes.†During this time we have chances to learn, to share, to experience with other Brothers about our life regarding to The Way we are following.
The classes become so rich – new – excited when all of us “dare†to share, to question each other openly-fraternally on “how to live a true fraternal life?†even up to the questions in which we thought that we may never have a chance to speak it out. But we did it and we will continue doing and sharing it until the end of this week. In this way we are “renewing†our relationship with each other.
To have this chance of being together joyfully and fruitfully, we are grateful and thankful to the Fathers of the Formation Council who have given us this opportunity. And also many thanks to the patience, professional guidance of our Prior, Fr. Jose Luis De Miguel Fernandez throughout the course.
We pray to the Good Lord through the intercession of our Holy Father Saint Dominic, may He bless us and guide us on our journey To Praise – To Bless – To Preach.
Macau January 6, 2016
Bro. Joseph Tran Van Huong OP
Ps. Here below we want to share with you some pictures of our classes and activities during the course.
PRIESTLY ORDINATION OF BRO MATTHEW SHING MANG TUN
On January 2, at around 9:30 the procession of the ordination to the priesthood of Bro. Matthew Shing Mang Tun, began moving from the entrance of the church of St. Gemme Galgani’s Shwepyiathar, Yagon. The procession was led by a group of youth interpreting a typical Chin State cultural dance followed by the relatives of Bro. Matthew, the acolytes and the concelebrants who accompanied Bro. Matthew. His Eminence Charles Cardinal Bo, as he reached the altar, made and introduction of the ceremony and the rite of the ordination followed in an orderly manner.
The new Church that had just been finished under the direction of Father George, was well adorned and arranged for the ordination. At both sides of the Cardinal were 25 concelebrants headed by Father Philip the vicar of the Provincial in Myanmar, all the Dominican Priests assigned in Myanmar and three representative Brothers of the communities of Hong Kong and Macau where Bro. Matthew lived during the years of formation. The church was full with a good number of religious sisters, seminarians and religious brothers, plus 450 relatives, friends and parishioners who came to witness and participate at the ordination of Bro. Matthew. The parish choir and the postulants assumed the responsibility of the music and other services including the lunch that was served at the end of the ceremony.
During the homily and through the ceremony His Eminence congratulated not only the ordaining brother but the Dominicans and commended them for the service rendered and the hope that their presence in Myanmar would redound to the benefit of the people of God.
On his part Brother Matthew thank God, the Prior Provincial who had acceded to his request of being ordained, his Dominican professors and formators through the different years of his studies and finally his Eminence, the concelebrants, all those who have taken part in the preparation and arrangement of the Ordination under the guidance and leadership of Bro. George. Finally, he addressed his parents whom he thanked for all the things they have done for him since birth as well as his brothers and sisters who had supported him in the pursuit of his vocation.
Upon request of His Eminence Bro. Solis congratulated Father Matthew on behalf of Father Provincial and all the members of the Province represented by of the Burmese Brothers assigned to Myanmar and indicated that Father Matthew was assigned to the House of St. Joseph in Kowloon where, he, besides studying Cantonese Language, will serve the people of God in the near future. Bro. Philip translated these words into Burmese and then His Eminence concluded congratulating the ordained Brother, his family and the Order and granted Father Matthew faculties for hearing confessions so that his ministry could be more effectively carried out.
After the ordination and the session of picture taking, the concelebrants, the family, the religious and the parishioners shared a good lunch.
Congratulations Brother Matthew! May the Lord give you wisdom, holiness and a fruitful ministry all your life!
Fray Fernando, O.P.
Secretario Provincial
A PILGRIM’S NOTES: MEANING OF “MERRY CHRISTMASâ€
Fausto Gomez, OP
May you have a Merry Christmas! What does “Merry Christmas†may mean? As we prepare to celebrate this great solemnity, let me share a few notes on its various and complementary meanings.
Christmas is Christ. There cannot be a true Christmas without Christ: without Christ Christmas is merely three meaningless letters – m, a, s. Christ is the center of Christmas: the Child Jesus in a manger. It is truly awesome to realize that, as St. John writes, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us… Of his fullness we have all received.†Merry Christmas implies a happy encounter with the Child Jesus in the crib! “If you wish to see the most beautiful thing in the world,†St. John de Avila tells us, “ask the Lord to give you the eyes to see a young maiden with her child in her arms in the town of Bethlehem.â€
Christmas is love of God. “God so loved the world,†St. John’s marvelous words again, “that He gave his only begotten Son.†How incredible: “The Son of God is born in eternity without mother, in time without father, and becomes our brother†(John Tauler). We respond by adoring the Child Jesus. Adoration may be our attitude through the Christmas season. It was the attitude of Mary and Joseph, of the shepherds, and of the Three Kings. Mary and Joseph kept everything in their hearts in an attitude of contemplative prayer; the shepherds knelt before the Child in the crib, and the Three Kings offered their gifts as a sign of worship. “O come, let us adore him.â€
Christmas is love of neighbor. Love of Christ in the manger entails love of all neighbors, children of God and our brothers and sisters. “In this,†Jesus says, “they will know that you are my disciples, that you love one another.†True Christian love is not selective but unconditionally universal: no one is excluded, not even the enemies.
Christmas is compassionate love. “I feel compassion of the crowd,†Jesus says. Charity is universal love, merciful love for all, in particular the poor and needy, the “little ones†of Jesus. Thus, Christmas is feeling compassion for those in need and doing something to help them. It necessarily implies sharing something with the poor around us, accompanying our sick and imprisoned brothers and sisters. Jesus keeps telling you and me: “What you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do it to me.â€
Christmas is joyful love. “This is the day our Savior was born: what a joy for us! This is no season for sadness, this, the birthday of Life, the Life which annihilates the fear of death, and engenders joy, promising as it does, immortality†(St. Leo the Great). Yes, “Christmas is joy, the joy of Life, the joy of the Gospel of Christ†(Pope Francis). Indeed, “Joy to the world, joy to you and me!â€
Christmas is peaceful love. The angels sang: “Glory to God in the highest and peace to men whom God loves.†Peace, like joy and compassion, is a consequence of love. As believers in Christ, the Prince of Peace, we are asked to be peacemakers in our families, in our communities, in the world. To be peacemakers, we have to be at peace within ourselves and with God, with all neighbors and with creation, which is “our common home.â€
Christmas is grateful love. Zechariah is grateful to the Lord for giving him his son John the Baptist: “Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel†(Lk 1:68). Mary, the Virgin-Mother is grateful for the marvelous things God has done to her: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord†(Lk 1:46). We are grateful above all to God for giving us Jesus, his only Son and the Son of Mary. We also give thanks to so many people around us! As we wish “Merry Christmas†to our family, friends, and companions we thank them for their love, their help, for being there when we needed them, for travelling with us on the journey of life. Indeed, “gracias a la vida,†thanks to life that has given us so much!
The birth of Jesus is a magnificent event that reminds us of our Baptism, of our birth as Christians. Some years ago, I received a Christmas card with this lovely message: One day Christ was born for you, and it was Christmas. / Another day, you were born for Christ, and it was your Baptism. / When you remember the joy of Christmas / do not forget the joy of your Baptism.â€
The Birth of Jesus connects closely with the Eucharist: “Mary was the first tabernacle who carried Christ within her and gave birth to the One who would say, ‘I am the living bread come down from heaven’†(Fulton Sheen).
Through Advent, as we prepare to receive Jesus in our home, we remember that when our Lord was born of the Virgin Mary, there was no room for him in the inn at Bethlehem. He is coming again at Christmas 2015. There is a lovely story of a Children’s Nativity Play (from Margaret Silf). After many rehearsals the great day of presenting the play before the proud parents of the children and parishioners came. On stage: angels, shepherds, and Mary, Joseph and the innkeeper. Mary and Joseph knock at the door of the inn and ask: “Please, can we have a room for the night?†The innkeeper answers: “Sorry, there is no room in the inn.†After saying that, however, the little innkeeper had second thoughts of his own and added something else: “Don’t go away, you can have my room.â€
I ask: “Will Jesus have my room the coming Christmas? Will He have yours?†There will be no room for Baby Jesus this Christmas in the hearts of those who are selfish, proud or insensitive to the needs of others. We are all invited to approach the Sacrament of Penance and thus prepare a pure heart for the birth of the Child in the manger.
My dear co-pilgrims, I wish you Merry Christmas that is a Blessed Christmas. May the Child Jesus be born in our hearts in a deeper way, and may those around us notice it by the way we treat them with kindness and compassion.
(Published by O Clarim, the Macau Catholic Weekly, on December 18, 2015) 
