Vocation Discernment and Blessed Jordan of Saxony
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.
Renewal of Profession of Five Brothers
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!
Opening Mass for the School Year 2024-25 at USJ
God showered His blessings upon us, the students and staff of the University of St. Joseph (USJ) in Macau, in the opening Mass for the new school year 2024-25. On Wednesday, September 4th, the University held a Mass to supplicate the Holy Spirit to pour His blessings upon us. The Mass was presided over by the Chaplain of the University, on behalf of the Bishop, and con-celebrated by some professors of the Faculty of Religious Studies and Philosophy. The Rector served as deacon in the Mass and delivered an inspiring homily, exhorting us to be closer to God and to study assiduously, in order to bring God’s Good News to the world. His homily was a reminder that we are part of a Catholic University, whose identity is to cultivate good citizens and form evangelizers. After the Mass, all the participants were invited to share in a fraternal meal.
The Mass was in honor of the Holy Spirit.
The Student Brothers coordinated the singing at the Mass.
Written by Bro. Marcus Tan, OP
Pictures taken from: USJ Chaplaincy’s Facebook Page
THESIS DEFENCE
It is mandatory that every graduating student of the University of St. Joseph in Macau go through a thesis defence. Without exception, our three graduating student brothers pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Christian Studies had to encounter this. Bro. Cesar Lino de Sousa Ximenes, O.P., Bro. Agostinho Mendoca, O.P. and Bro. Innocent Han Zaw Htun, O.P. successfully defended their theses on 19, 20 and 21 June 2024, respectively. The thesis title of Bro. Cesar is ” RECONCILIATION AS A WAY OF MISSION.” Bro. Agostinho’s thesis is titled ” ARISTOTLE AND AQUINAS ON HAPPINESS: A COMPARISON OF NICOMACHEAN ETHICS I & X AND SUMMA THEOLOGIAE 1A2AE QUESTIONS 1-5″ and from Bro. Innocent, ” DEVELOPING A CATHOLIC THEOLOGY OF SUFFERING IN THE CONTEXT OF BURMESE THERAVADA BUDDHISM.” May God continue His blessing for their future ministry!
Renewing Religious Vows in Spain
On the memorial of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, today, student brother, Bro. Orlando Lopes, O.P. renewed his religious vows at the Convento Del Santisimo Rosario in Madrid. Prior Provincial Fr. Ruben Martinez Ortega, O.P. received the profession. Bro. Orlando is from Timor-Leste. Let us continue praying for him to be faithful and persevere in his Dominican vocation!
Birthdays in June
The Priory celebrated the birthdays of the brothers who were born in June.
The celebrants were Br. Joseph Naing Ling Hung, O.P, Br. Xaverio, O.P, and Br. Ephream Nay Myo Thu, O.P. The community greeted them with the warmest wishes.
It was a joyous occasion that brought everyone together in celebration of community life and fraternity.
