On June 24, 2014, nine brothers from our studentate in St. Dominic’s Priory renewed their simple profession during the morning Community Mass. Fr. José Luis de Miguel, OP, Prior, received the brothers’ personal and free decision to continue their commitment to the religious vows, obedience to Christ through the Dominican Constitutions, and willingness to accept being sent to the missions of the Dominican Missionary Province of Our Lady of the Rosary.
The brothers who said YES to the Dominican call and renewed their resolve to continue being Dominicans for one or two more years are the following:
Paul Thu Reh
Michael Tony
Pio Yu Yousin
Joseph Tran Van Huong
Francis Naw San
Ignatius Ngo Van Thu Giang
Peter Kyaw Thinn
James Ye Min Tun
Abraham Nin Ki Gei
Three other brothers of our studentate renewed their simple profession in their respective country. They are:
Michael Song Jeong Sin
Francis Nge Nge
Peter Zya Reh
  To the twelve brothers, another name has to be added: the name of brother Joseph Pakhu, who renewed his simple profession once more and for one year on June 27, 2015. It is understood that the renewal of the religious profession is done as another step on the way to the solemn profession.
The profession ceremony was simple and meaningful. Appropriate songs marked joyfully the spiritual rhythm of the unique event: “Here I am Lord. I come to do your will.â€
The Priory continues praying for the perseverance and happiness of the brothers who decided to continue journeying with us in their following of Christ by the path of St. Dominic and with the help of Mother Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary.
To one and all: Warm and fraternal congratulations!
On May 11, 2015, Brother Andreas Kim Sung Dae, OP, was liturgically sent-off as a missionary of the Province of Our Lady of the Rosary, Dominican Missionary Province. The Send-off ritual took place within the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. It was presided over by Fr. Javier Gonzalez, OP, Prior Provincial of the Province. The brothers of the Priory were present.
Like other member of the missionary Province, when Bro. Andreas made his solemn profession, he promised his readiness to be sent to any of the different missions of the Province of Our Lady of the Rosary. During the Mass of May 11, Monday, he was formally sent-off to the missions. After the Prayer of Petition and Prayer of Blessing, Br. Andreas received the Missionary Cross from Fr. Javier. The meaningful ritual ended with the singing of the Salve Regina to Our Lady.
After completing his institutional studies and earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from the University of Saint Joseph, Macau, Br. Andreas from Korea was ready for pastoral exposure and work in our missions before his ordination to the diaconate and priesthood. On May 14 he is flew to Dili, East Timor, to learn from and help the newest mission of our Province which started three years ago.
The send-off ritual for missionaries has a long tradition in our Province. It was started by the end of the 18th century after the Province of Our Lady of the Rosary was inaugurated in 1587. Manila was then the place of formation and initiation of our missionaries. Before going to their assigned mission in Asia the missionaries visited the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary, the famous La Naval de Manila, and asked the help of Our Lady with a meaningful ceremony which always ended with the singing of the Salve Regina. The sending-off of our brother Andreas continues this wonderful tradition.
The celebration of the Holy Eucharist at St. Dominic’s Priory on May 10, 2015, the Sixth Sunday of Easter, had an added significance: the simple liturgical ritual for the installation of 16 simply professed brothers of the Priory for the Ministry of Lector and 13 among them also for the Ministry of Acolyte. Fr. Javier Gonzalez, OP, Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of Our Lady of the Rosary, presided over the concelebrated Mass and the rites of installation. Our dear lay faithful who attend regularly our Sunday Eucharist were also present and shared in the joy and hope of the Dominican community.
The ministries of Lector, or Reader, and Acolyte are steps on the way to the “major orders†of Diaconate and Priesthood (cf. Canon 1035). Both ministries are part of the continuing formation of religious brothers and seminarians. As we read in our Dominican Constitutions: “The ministries of reader and acolyte may be given to the brothers as a way of forming them gradually and prudently in the apostolate†(LCO 215bis).
The two Ministries of Lector and Acolyte carry certain responsibilities. The function of lector is threefold: first, reading and proclaiming the Word of God in the liturgical assembly; second, instructing children and adults in the Christian faith and preparing them towards the reception of the sacraments; and third, bringing the Good News to those who have not yet received it. The function of acolyte is serving at the altar and assisting priests and deacons, and preparing the altar and the sacred vessels; when necessary, the acolyte may distribute Holy Communion to the faithful (Canon 943).
All the brothers of Saint Dominic’s Priory in Macau rejoice heartily and congratulate warmly the new readers and acolytes. By the way, almost half of the brothers who were installed as lectors and acolytes are currently preparing for their hopeful Perpetual Vows or Solemn Profession in their Dominican religious life, for the day when they will say “Yes†to the service of the Lord by the path of St. Dominic for life. Other brothers among the new lectors and acolytes hope to renew their simple profession in the Dominican Order one or two years more.
The words of Fr. Javier in his homily continue ringing in our ears: To be is to love. God is love and loved us first. Our vocation is to love others like Jesus, that is unconditionally and fully, in the first place the brothers and sisters abandoned on the margins of life. All ministries in the Church are ministries of service.
May the new lectors and acolytes respond faithfully to their new call to serve the Church and continue preparing for the deaconate and the apostolate! We all pray for our brothers, the new readers and acolytes.
