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)