By: Alexandre da Costa Freitas
I was born and raised in a Catholic family where prayer was intricately woven into the fabric of daily life. From a young age, I memorized the words of the Our Father and the Hail Mary, often reciting them without fully grasping their profound significance. During those early years, prayer felt more like an obligation than a meaningful dialogue. Yet, even in its simplicity, those prayers instilled in me a deep sense of belonging and identity, planting seeds of faith that would flourish as I grew older.
As I matured, prayer began to evolve, taking on richer meanings. During moments of adversity, such as facing exams, family struggles, or personal doubts, I discovered that prayer could be so much more than a ritual. It transformed into a sanctuary, a means to express my fears and hopes, as well as a source of strength during my weakest moments. Gradually, I came to realize that prayer transcends mere words; it’s about listening, embracing silence, and opening my heart to God’s presence. It was during those quiet interludes that I began to sense His guidance and experience profound peace.
Now, prayer stands as the cornerstone of my life. As a member of the Dominican order, a religious community that places prayer at the heart of our vocation, I join my brothers and sisters each day to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, celebrate the Eucharist, and share our voices in praise. This communal aspect of prayer serves as a powerful reminder that faith thrives not in solitude, but in fellowship. It strengthens our bonds as a community and unites us in our mission to spread the Gospel.
Equally important is the practice of personal prayer. Beyond the structured prayers we share, I carve out moments to speak to God in my own words, sharing my joys and struggles, relishing the peace of simply resting in His presence. Sometimes, this takes the form of quiet meditation before the Blessed Sacrament; at other times, it’s a whispered “thank you” amid the busyness of my day. Personal prayer allows me to present my unique story, my individuality, and my innermost desires before God. It is in these intimate moments that I feel most profoundly connected to Him.
For me, here and now, prayer embodies both communal and personal dimensions. It serves as the rhythm of the Church and the heartbeat of my soul. It encompasses tradition and spontaneity, silence and song, spoken words and attentive listening. Prayer has transcended the mere lesson I was taught; it has become a living, breathing experience. It is the means through which I encounter God daily, remain anchored in faith, and draw strength for life’s journey.
Ultimately, prayer is about relationships. It is the ongoing dialogue between God and me, enriched by the community to which I belong and by the personal moments I cherish with Him. Here and now, prayer signifies being present, being open, and being transformed by the love of a God who listens, guides, and sustains me.
20 January 2026
Five brothers from our Dominican community in Macau, namely, Rolindo Tilman, Xaverio Boe, John Ai, Peter Nyi and Ephraim Nay, renewed their religious profession on Tuesday, 20th of January 2026. The event took place within our conventual Mass, presided over by the Prior, Fr. Javier Gonzalez, and con-celebrated by Frs. Hilario Plureh, Lawrence The Reh, Paul Fan and Martin Bai, members of this community of St Dominic’s. Witnesses of the ceremony were all our student brothers, plus a few Sisters and Lay Dominicans who come regularly to our chapel.
In his homily Fr. Javier stressed the point that our religious vocation is a gift from God. He is the one calling and choosing those He wants, based on His own initiative and reasons. “Not as man sees does God see, because he sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). Hence, our response cannot be other than sincere gratitude, day-to-day fidelity and (sacrificial) obedience to Him. The Prior invited all those present to pray for the five brothers and to spiritually renew also their own profession.
At the end of the Mass, some pictures captured the spirit of this joyful event–meaningful not just for the five brothers, but also for the community and for the entire Province. Warmest congratulations to our brothers!
Christmas originated as a Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, observed on December 25. The date was first mentioned in the third century, coinciding with Roman winter festivals to symbolize light triumphing over darkness. Over time, Christmas embraced traditions from many cultures, such as gift-giving, carols, and evergreen decorations.
The meaning of Christmas is both religious and cultural. For Christians, it represents hope, salvation, and God’s love revealed through the incarnation of Jesus. For many others, it has become a season of joy, generosity, and togetherness, marked by family gatherings, festive meals, and the exchange of gifts.
This year, 2025, our community Christmas celebration started in our chapel at 10:00pm with the ‘Midnight’ Mass, attended by a good number of the faithful and the Dominican Family (Sisters and Lay members). The Chapel had been beautifully decorated by our student brothers, who also filled it with their voices during the Eucharistic celebration in honor of the Nativity of the Lord. Afterwards, we shared joy and fellowship over simple food. We sang songs together and enjoyed a small but heartfelt celebration that lasted until midnight. It was a truly memorable and uplifting experience, filled with warmth and gratitude.
Merry Christmas to everyone, and a Happy New Year to all! May this coming year 2026 bring peace to our hearts, prosperity to our endeavors, and happiness to our families. May love and kindness guide us, and may the light of Christmas continue to shine brightly in our lives throughout the year.
On December 30, 2025, we enjoyed a community sports day. It was part of our Christmas celebration aiming to foster our bonding.
We competed among ourselves in table tennis, basketball, badminton, and football.
By working together as teams, we deepened our family spirit in a day filled with laughters and sweats. Although the Holy Spirit is the basis of our communion, yet through our engagement in our common interest of sport, we indeed grow in mutual appreciation and love.
“The brothers should gladly join in community recreation, by means of which mutual understanding and brotherly communion are developed” (Book of Constitutions and Ordinations of the Friars of the Order of Preachers, #5).
