Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with the Vatican’s envoy to Myanmar today at celebrations marking the centenary of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Yangon.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino spoke together for several minutes ahead of the celebration, the details of which were not immediately known.
Her visit underscores her call for national conciliation to include all in society no matter their ethnic or religious background.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony the Archbishop of Yangon, Monsignor Charles Maung Bo, told Vatican news agency Fides: “It will be an important moment for the Christian community: for its history and faith, but also for its future, for the role Christians wish to play in a free and democratic country.â€
Also in attendance at the celebration was an official from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, who read out a letter from the minister calling on Christians to “involve themselves in the country’s development as much they can†as they are also good citizens of Myanmar.
The official left following Cardinal Martino’s homily in which he called on local Catholics to work with other faiths for the education, health care and social welfare of the people for the country’s development.
“Catholics in Myanmar must be the light and strength of the country according to the will of God,†the cardinal added.
A priest from Yangon archdiocese also read out a letter from Pope Benedict XVI in which he called on Cardinal Martino to convey his greetings to the clergy, religious and lay Catholics in Yangon archdiocese and to offer his goodwill to members of other faiths and to those who cherish religious freedom and the wellbeing of all people.
Article taken from ucanews.com - http://www.ucanews.com
URL to article:Â http://www.ucanews.com/2011/12/08/suu-kyi-meets-papal-envoy-in-church/
The vestition of the six new novices took place on the evening of November 28, 2011 at the chapel of St. Albert’s Priory in Hong Kong. The ceremony was presided over by Fr. Javier Gonzalez, Prior Provincial. In his homily he took as point of departure the illustration for the invitation which had been previously sent. The fresco recalls thevestition of St. Hyacinth of Poland together with his companions who received the habit from St. Dominic. Fr. Provincial underlined the holiness of those represented in the fresco, the missionary commitment and the international connotation of thevestition. Here, he said, “ we are privilege to enjoy the same atmosphere, the same missionary character and the same desire of unity and holiness”. He added: “I wish you brothers grace, peace and determination in your formation since you are the ones most responsible for your own formation and your spiritual life. The Lord will be faithful to his promise and we shall be faithful until the end of our life.”
LIKE A PERFECT DAY:
VESTITION, PROFESSION AND ORDINATION
Saturday, July 9, 2011 in Hong Kong! This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.
July 9, 2011 is already a historical day for our Dominican Province of Our Lady of the Rosary. Three wonderful happenings took place on this truly eventful day:Â Vestition with the Dominican habit, First Profession and Ordinations of nineteen (19) brothers from different Asian countries. Indeed, that second Saturday of July was a unique day for the Dominican Order, the Dominican Province, and in particular for the Dominicans working for the Kingdom of God in Hong Kong, Macau, and the other missions in Asia.
Vestition of new novices
In the morning, and in the lovely chapel of Rosaryhill School, Hong Kong, took place within the Mass of the Martyrs of the Province the Vestition of the Dominican habit and the first Profession. Twenty Dominican priests concelebrated in the Mass, presided by Fr Javier Gonzalez, OP, Prior Provincial, who also led the Vestition and the Profession ceremonies.
First profession of new brothers
Five (5) postulants took the Dominican habit. (By the way, six more postulants will have their Vestition a few months from now) Twelve (12) novices made their first Profession officially. The whole celebration attended also by the Dominican students and members of the Dominican Family in Hong Kong was very moving, joyful, and hopeful.
new dicon and new priest eucharist with Bishop John Tong
The ordination to the Deaconate and the Ordination to the Priesthood took place in the afternoon in the beautiful Cathedral of Hong Kong: the new Deacon, Bro. Isaiah Hong Seung Kook from Korea; the new priest, Fr. Christopher Joannes Chor, OP from Hong Kong. Bishop John Tong presided the Mass and the Ordination ceremonies. Forty priests, led by twenty Dominicans concelebrated with the presiding Bishop of Hong Kong. The Cathedral was nearly full with relatives of the ordained ministers, members of the Dominican Family in Hong Kong, friends of the Dominican Province, and other faithful. The celebration was excellently carried out: with prayerful solemnity, great liturgical rhythm, soothing singing and shared joy.
As we were going back to Rosaryhill by bus, my seatmate and I remembered – it happens to me in every ordination I attend – the essential text for the newly ordained and all ordained ministers, and proclaimed twice by the Bishop this afternoon:  “See that you believe what you read, that you teach what you believe, and that you practice what you teach.â€
The highly exciting day was closed with a sumptuous, cordial and friendly dinner in the spacious Hall of Rosaryhill School. Within a simple and short program of songs, Frs. Javier Gonzalez and Vicente Sanchez, OP Prior of St. Albert Convent expressed their warmest congratulations to the new novices, the simply professed and the ordained ministers and their profound gratitude to all present and, above all, to God.
A historical day indeed! God cares, and we praise and thank him: Thank you Father, through Jesus, in the Spirit for this unique, fantastic day – for your infinite love!
The journey continues! (FGB)
