“Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love,”
Advent celebration is a significant time in the Christian liturgical calendar that marks the anticipation and preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. It is important to meditate on the theme of Advent.
Advent: A Time of Hope:
Hope is a central theme during the Advent season. It symbolizes the anticipation of the coming of Christ and the promise of salvation. The Advent wreath, with its four candles representing the weeks leading up to Christmas, serves as a visual reminder of this hope. As Christians light each candle, they are reminded of the hope that Christ’s birth brings to the world. The prophet Isaiah’s words, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2, NIV), encapsulate the essence of hope during Advent.
Advent: A Time of Peace:
Peace is another significant theme during Advent. It represents the tranquillity and harmony that Christ’s birth brings to humanity. The birth of Jesus is often referred to as the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). During this season, Christians are encouraged to seek inner peace and promote peace in their communities. Advent season serves as a reminder to reconcile with others, forgive, and strive for unity. The angelic proclamation of “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14) resonates deeply during this time.
Advent: A Time of Joy:
Joy is a theme that permeates the Advent season. It represents the overwhelming happiness and delight that comes with the anticipation of Christ’s birth. The birth of Jesus is seen as a source of great joy, as it brings salvation and redemption to humanity. Advent season encourages believers to embrace this joy and share it with others. The angel’s words to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10), encapsulate the essence of joy during Advent.
Advent: A Time of Love:
Love is a fundamental theme during Advent. It represents the unconditional love of God, who sent His Son to the world as a demonstration of His love for humanity. Advent season calls Christians to reflect on this love and to extend it to others. It is a time to show compassion, kindness, and generosity to those in need. The verse, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16), encapsulates the essence of love during Advent.
To sum up, the Advent celebration holds immense significance in the Christian faith as it prepares believers for the birth of Jesus Christ. The themes of hope, peace, joy, and love are central to this season, reminding Christians of the profound impact of Christ’s birth on humanity. Advent serves as a time of reflection, anticipation, and spiritual growth, encouraging believers to embrace these themes and embody them in their daily lives. By understanding the essence of Advent and its themes, Christians can deepen their faith and experience a renewed sense of hope, peace, joy, and love during this sacred season.
Rev Fr. David Goodill, O.P. (Photo Credit- Faculty of Philosophy and Religious Studies, USJ FB)
The community attended a theology public lecture presented by Rev Fr. David Goodill, O.P., a visiting professor at the University of St. Joseph, on the evening of November 24th. The topic is “Making Hope Real,” which is a reflection on the Christian concept of Hope. The lecture examined how St. Thomas’ understanding of hope is informed by his understanding of the cardinal virtues.
The talk was integrated with the Vespers of the memorial of Saint Andrew Dng-Lc, Priest, and Companions, Martyrs. The magnificent 16th-century St. Dominic Church was filled with the chanting of psalms conducted by the friars.
Students and teachers from the faculty of philosophy and religious studies, including the dean of the faculty, Fr. Cyril Law, as well as sisters from several congregations and other interested parties, were there.
Following the talk, group photos were taken. Indeed, it was an evening rich with intellectual and spiritual nourishments.
Group photo after lecture (Photo Credit- Faculty of Philosophy and Religious Studies, USJ FB)
The Priory celebrated the birthdays of November-born fathers and a brother.
The celebrants were Fr. Legido, Fr. Athanasius, Fr. Lawrence and Br.Neri. The community greeted them with warmest wishes on their special day.
It was a joyous occasion that brought everyone together in celebration of community life and fraternity.
The Priory recently celebrated the birthdays of some of the brothers, including the master of the student brothers and two kitchen staffs.
The birthdays’ celebrants of October were Fr. Edmond, Fr. Paul, Br. Francis Kim, Br. John Ai and Br. Jean Carlos. The community wished them ” Ad Multos Annos.”
It was a joyous occasion that brought everyone together in celebration of community life and fraternity.
On October 27, the Priory held a day of prayer and fasting for global peace in response to the Holy Father’s invitation.
The community included in the Mass intention the supplication for peace worldwide, especially in the Holy Land. The Blessed Sacrament was exposed in the evening from 8:30 to 9:30, during which the brothers said silent prayers.
Domine, Dona Nobis Pacem!
On 15 October 2023, the community of St Dominic’s Priory in Macau held a Mass in Memoriam of Fr José Luis Miguel Fernandez, OP, who passed away on 10 October 2023, and who was Prior of the community from 29 October 2014 to 9 October 2019.
In his homily, the current Prior of the community brought about some fond memories of Fr José Luis. Here are some excerpts:
“Charity, justice and piety move us to hold this Mass in memoriam of our beloved brother José Luis, former Prior of this community for five years, (2014-2019).”
We celebrate this Mass, first of all, to pray for his eternal rest: it is a Christian duty to pray for our deceased brothers and sisters. We offer this sacrifice of the Mass to earnestly beseech God to wash away Fr Miguel’s sin, to receive him and to welcome him in Paradise. This prayer to God on our brother’s behalf is Charity.
Second, we offer this Mass as a tribute of gratitude: to thank God for the gift of Fr José Luis; and to our brother for the many blessings that during his life he bestowed on us. We are deeply indebted to him and it is our duty to say “thanks”. This is Justice.
Thirdly, to remind Fr José Luis not to forget us now that he is in God’s kingdom, as our faithful conviction tells us. In fact, this reminder seems unnecessary, as it is in the nature of the triumphant Church, through the communion of saints, to be united and to intercede for us pilgrims in this valley of tears. (Every evening we remind our Mother Mary to turn her merciful eyes towards us, and to our Fr Dominic to fulfill his promise; now we add a new intercessor, this time someone very close to us. This is Piety.
How do we remember Fr José Luis? Some short condolence messages received these past days speak eloquently of what kind of person our brother was. (I quote): “We lost a good brother and friend; I remember his good manners, his enthusiasm and optimism; we have now one more intercessor in heaven.” “He was an intimate friend, a good brother, a sincere person, a gift of God.” “He was a marvelous companion, humble and always ready to help; a true Dominican”
A true Dominican! These three words summarize the life of our brother Jose Luis and offer, I think, a good portrait of him. Being a true Dominican means being a person of faith and of service; a contemplative in action, in line with the Dominican motto: “Contemplari et comtemplata aliis tradere.” I wish to reflect for a while on these words, while bringing back some memories from the life of our brother.
Fr Jose Luis, a man of faith and a humble servant
Faith is a gift, and keeping it, a task. At the end of his life, St Paul was able to proudly say: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7).
Those who knew Fr Jose Luis in life, considering it as a whole, can attest that he could make these very words also his own at the end of his earthly pilgrimage. (We try to be benevolent with those who have died and remember only the good things of them, letting negative instances and minor imperfections be forgiven and forgotten. Indeed, at the end, only big decisions and radical options in life count. No doubt, Fr Jose Luis had his own weaknesses, as any human being; and he was very much aware of them, I must say. But beyond them, there was a great soul, as manifested in some important decisions he took in his life.)
He could have followed the ordinary path of life most people take: to pursue a secular prospective career…; but no, attentive to God’s call, he decided to follow the Lord in his footsteps and consecrated himself to Him. He could have loved just a few, a family circle of relatives and friends…; but no, he decided to make room for all in his heart and, by imitating the Lord’s life-style, becoming available to all. In fact, he decided to give up father and mother, brothers and sisters, lands and country, to serve the Lord as a missionary. He could have succumbed to the temptation of being idle, introspective, selfish…; but no, he was very active, joyful, hard worker. His long CV attests to it: active for so many years teaching, preaching, writing, educating, inspiring candidates to religious and priestly life, serving in different positions, untiring animator of the Dominican Family in South America and Asia.
Yes, his enthusiasm for the Dominican Family was well known everywhere he worked. In Manila, while serving his San Juan community as Prior, he was also serving as coordinator for the Dominican laity; I myself remember his admiration and untiring support to the group of Lay Dominicans running the San Martin de Porres Charity Hospital. In Chile, Latin America and Caribe, he served as Promotor of the Dominican Family for 30 years, since 1984. Here in Macau, while serving also as Prior of the community, he became the cofounder and spiritual assistant of the first group of Lay Dominicans (“Torch of Macau”); it was a humble project, whose seeds remain here with us and whose members treasure found memories of him.
Definitely, Fr Jose Luis could truly tell us today: “I have done my best, I have run the full distance and I have kept the faith.” The latter was particularly true: Faith is basically trust in the Lord; and Fr Jose Luis fully trusted in the Lord, until his last breath. His readiness to accept any office of responsibility entrusted to him and his total availability to be sent anywhere by his superiors were only expressions of his faith and trust in the Lord. His final longing was the one echoed in the responsorial psalm of today’s Mass: “I shall live forever in the house of the Lord.” I am sure the Lord has not disappointed him. A beautiful legacy left to us!
Humanly, his death has been a great loss; spiritually, however, a great gain, for he continues accompanying us and his beloved Dominican Family in mysterious and more efficient ways than when he was with us. For this, our hearts are grateful to God and to him.
As we continue praying for our brother José Luis, we commend him to the Lord Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, pleading to Him that He give eternal rest to our brother.
May he and all our faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
