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.