225. – § I. – From the very first years of the curriculum of studies, suitable programs in diverse works of the apostolate should be methodically introduced under the guidance of experts; as far as possible these should take place during the academic year and particularly during vacation time, according to norms worked out by each province.
– “THE RELIGIOUS FORMATION OF CLERICAL BROTHERS”, The Book of Constitutions & Ordinations of the Friars of the Order of Preachers
Airport in Dili
A Dominican is a preacher. Mission exposure is thus a great opportunity for a student friar to be trained. I have had such a privilege for three and a half weeks in August in East Timor. East Timor is a new, Catholic nation in Southeast Asia. Our Province has started a mission there around 15 years ago. We run a high school in Hera, a suburb of the capital Dili, in addition to a flourishing Dominican youth community organized in multiple localities in the nation. I had expected my assignment to be easy due to the language barrier, so I was holding more of a field-observer attitude, trying to learn how our Fathers built the mission from scratch, together with the somewhat nascent nation. I will speak about my experience in my assignment, encounters, dialogues, and prayerful reflections in this precious exposure.
East Timor night sky
I had two assignments: assisting with the aspirant formation and helping two Grade 12 English classes. Father John Ko, the formator of aspirants, asked me to teach the two aspirants in Hera. I designed a two-week spiritual program aimed at accompanying them in making a conscious total self-giving and deepening both their spiritual and missionary dimensions. We had around eight sessions, each lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes, in which we covered topics such as arguments for God’s existence, the historicity of the Gospel, the model of intentional accompaniment, prayerful immersion into one’s past, and morality. There follows a 20-minute individual prayer. I met with them individually twice to more intensely accompany them. In the end, by God’s grace, their gratitude seems to show their substantial harvest in the two weeks of intentional accompaniment.
A view of our high school from our house
Moreover, I spent around eight sessions tutoring English individually with them in the two weeks. Such an immersive experience of the arduous but joyful task of intentional accompaniment not only trains my preaching and teaching aptitude, but also reveals to me that I do enjoy accompanying individuals.
St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Hera
Father Santiago, the head supervisor of our St. Thomas Aquinas school beside our house, asked me to accompany two grade 12 English classes for three weeks. I was mainly observing how the teacher taught and how the students reacted, though I did lead one entire session of activity for each class. I reflected that the students were lovely, and our mission is playing an important societal role, training Catholic builders of tomorrow of East Timor. I reflect that to construct a mission on such a scale relies on institutional teamwork–in contrast to individual work–made possible thanks to the vow of obedience. May the youth individually encounter Christ through our brothers’ work!
Celebration of the Confirmation of around 1000 persons in Hera
Another fruit of the exposure is my encounter with the people. On August 8th, I attended the perpetual profession of a Dominican sister. During the subsequent feast with the people, a common dancing started–apparently that is the tradition of Timorese celebration. Old ladies and men, young people, children, sisters, and friars danced exuberantly. Seeing their simple footwork and rhythmic gestures, under the background festal music, I saw their sincere joy. I thought about how I wished to have that joy, too. Sitting, I reflected deeply into my life and God’s vocation for me. God thus planted His word deep in my heart. Indeed missionaries are beneficiaries of the local culture.
East Timor coastline
This exposure also fostered communion among friars in the Province, through our communal times and dialogues, enriching me with their experience and committing me more to serve the Province’s mission. I have also benefited from my study and prayer over the past three weeks, as I have tried to balance the various indispensable elements of a friar’s life.
Overall, as a student friar, this mission exposure proves to be a treasure. I thank the Province for their formation arrangement.
Text and photo: Marcus Tan. August 28th, 2026.
On the way back to Macao
Fr. Hilary Plureh, OP, Student Master
The student brothers in Macau began their 2026-27 academic year with a five-day
retreat at the Retreat Centre of the Diocese, Vila São José. It was from August 31st
to September 4th. The retreat master was Fr. Jesus Maria Hernandez Gonzalez also
known as Fr. Chusmi, the Socius of the Provincial. It happened that Fr. Felipe Triguros
Buena, the Regent of the studies, visited the studentate during this period. Therefore,
on the morning of August 31st, Fr. Felipe encouraged the brothers to study hard and
emphasized the importance of the studies in the Order. Then, the retreat started in the
afternoon. The main theme of the retreat was “Our Father.” With this topic, Fr. Chusmi
delivered the 8th talk to the brothers. It was simple but touching and inspiring. I hope
that our student brothers have filled their spirits with energy and will journey well
throughout this academic year. We sincerely thank Fr. Chusmi for his effort, and we
appreciate his willingness to help our student brothers with their spiritual matters in the
coming year.
I would like to share some photos of the student retreat with all the brothers in
the province, and kindly ask everyone to pray for their success in their institutional
studies as well as for their perseverance in their vocation.
The University of St Joseph’s Graduation ceremonies for the Academic Year 2025-2026 were held on July 4, 2026. Among the graduating students, there were five of our brothers, namely, Natalino Da Costa, Augustine Plyar Reh, Paul Shan Tu, Orlando Lopes, and Filipe Mouzinho. They attended the event, dressed up in their academic robes, and went up to the stage upon the calling of their names to receive their diploma from the hands of the Dean of the Faculty of Religious Studies and Philosophy, Fr Cyril Law.
Some pictures captured the memorable moment as they were sided by USJ Academic authorities, headed by the Bishop of Macau, the Rector of the University, and the Dean of the Faculty. More pictures followed outside the auditorium after the graduation ceremony.
On the other hand, the five of them successfully defended their thesis, once they were approved by their respective moderators or advisers. The defenses took place online, as they are done in collaboration and with the participation of some professors from the Catholic University of Lisbon, to which our University is affiliated.
Warmest congratulations to our graduated brothers, who are now challenged to put into action the knowledge acquired during their five years in Macau, as they are assigned to other communities of the Province to start a new stage in their religious life.
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.
Happy Feast of Blessed Jordan of Saxony (February 13th)! Student Brother Marcus Tan, OP, shares his view on vocational discernment as inspired by Blessed Jordan of Saxony’s own calling.
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!
