The Priory celebrated the birthdays of February-born brothers.
The celebrants were Br. Francis Therman, O.P and Br. John Theresan, 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.
Lent is a period of forty days before Easter Sunday, during which we are invited to prepare ourselves for the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. It is a time of penance, fasting, and prayer to remind us as believers of Jesus’ own forty-day fast before His Passion. During Lent, we are called to repent, believe in the Gospel, and focus on prayer, penance, fasting, and generous aid to others as means of entering into a renewal of spirit and community. The season of Lent precedes and prepares for Easter, serving as a time to hear the Word of God, convert, prepare for Baptism, reconcile with God and one’s neighbour, and engage in prayer, fasting, and good work. Lent is also a time for more intense prayer, interceding for those in need, and cultivating a lifestyle of sharing and responsibility.
Why Lent is Important for our Conversion?
Spiritual Preparation: Lent is a period of 40 days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that mirrors Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert. It is a time for spiritual preparation, reflection, and repentance in anticipation of Easter, the most important feast of the Christian calendar.
Repentance and Conversion: Lent is a time for believers to turn away from sin, seek forgiveness, and grow closer to God. Through practices such as fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, Christians strive for personal conversion and spiritual renewal.
Mourning Christ’s Passion: Lent provides an opportunity for Christians to reflect on and mourn the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. By meditating on Christ’s Passion, believers deepen their appreciation for the immense love and mercy demonstrated by his death on the cross.
Renewal of Baptismal Promises: Lent is a time for Catholics to prepare for the renewal of their baptismal promises at the Easter Vigil. Through prayer and penance, believers recommit themselves to living out their faith and following the teachings of Christ.
Preparation for Easter: Lent culminates in the celebration of Easter, the most important feast in the Christian calendar. By observing Lent, Christians are better prepared to fully participate in the joy and significance of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Overall, Lent is a time for deepening faith, seeking reconciliation with God, and renewing commitment to living a life in accordance with Christian values. It is a season of spiritual growth, self-examination, and preparation for the celebration of the central mystery of the Christian faith, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
During the period of Lent we are encouraged to practice of:
Prayer: Lent is a time for intense prayer, where believers are called to turn to God with confidence, enter into communion with Him, and intercede for those in need.
Fasting: Fasting during Lent should not be a mere formality but a practice that challenges one’s sense of security, benefits others, and cultivates a lifestyle of sharing and caring for those in need. It involves choosing a sober lifestyle, avoiding wastefulness, and attuning hearts to the essentials and sharing.
Almsgiving: This practice represents a specific way to assist those in need, an exercise in self-denial to free oneself from attachment to worldly goods, and a means to respond to the needs of others through divine goodness. Almsgiving helps believers overcome the temptation of material riches and fosters a spirit of sharing with others.
The work of Charity: Alongside prayer and fasting, engaging in works of charity is emphasised during Lent. These works of charity are seen as pleasing worship to God and serve as a reminder of the need for a more just distribution of goods, allowing everyone to live in dignity and protecting creation.
Therefore, during the period of Lent, we are called to participate in prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and works of charity to deepen our relationship with God, grow in selflessness, and prepare our hearts for the celebration of Easter.
Because the Lunar New Year holiday was long enough to unwind, the fathers and brothers went trekking at A-Ma mountain on February 12, 2024. Tianhou Palace and the monument of Goddess A-Ma are the landmarks of A-Ma Mountain, which is located atop Dieshi Mountain, Macau’s highest point. Upon reaching the peak, images were shot at Instagrammable locations. Later on, hungry stomachs were satisfied with a scrumptious lunch.
Every year, around January 28, the Dominican Family in Macau gather together to celebrate the feast of our brother St Thomas Aquinas. The program normally consists of a lecture, Mass and a lunch together. It is organized by our Centre of Studies, and the venue has normally been St Paul’s School. This year 2024 the celebration took place on the 27 of January, Saturday. The guest lecturer was our Chinese Dominican brother Martin Bai Ziqiang, who graciously accepted our invitation. The chosen topic for the lecture was on St Thomas’s concept of integral education from a metaphysical point of view. It was a very appropriate theme for the audience whose majority were brothers and sisters in formation. Perhaps for this reason its contents were easily understood by all, as shown in the lively exchange of questions and answers during the open forum that followed the lecture. It was a fortunate coincidence that this year we had with us our Provincial Regent of Studies, Fr Mario Jabares, who willingly took an active role in the program: he introduced the lecture and the speaker, coordinated the open forum and closed the academic part of it. He also presided over the Mass and gave an inspiring homily related to the relevance that the figure of St Thomas Aquinas has in the Church today. A lunch crowned this activity, putting a joyful tone to the occasion and giving us the opportunity to share the joy of being together as a family. As Dominicans, we are proud to have St Thomas as our brother and we are grateful to God for having giving him as a gift to the Order and to the Church.
On 20th January 2024, seven young friars made the renewal of their religious vows at the Chapel of St. Dominic in Macau. The Prior Provincial of Our Lady of the Rosary Province, Fr. Rubén Martínez Ortega, O.P, received their vows in place of Fr. Gerard Francisco P. Timoner III, O.P., Master of the Order of Friar Preachers. The solemn celebration was integrated within the conventual Holy Mass. Let us remember them in our prayers!
May the Lord continue His work till the end!
The Epiphany, also known as Theophany in the East, is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus Christ. In Western Christianity, the feast commemorates the Magi’s visit to the Christ Child, and thus Jesus’ physical manifestation to the Gentiles. In Eastern Christianity, Theophany commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God.
Epiphany is celebrated 12 d
ays after Christmas, on January 6th or Sunday between January 2 and 8. For 2024, if Epiphany is celebrated on a Sunday in the Catholic Church, it would be on January 7th.
Historical Context
The Epiphany has been celebrated since the end of the second century, even before the Christmas holiday was established. It is commonly known as Twelfth Night, Twelfth Day, or the Feast of Epiphany. It means ‘manifestation’ or ‘showing forth’. It is also called Theophany (‘manifestation of God’), especially by Eastern Christians.
Biblical Reference
The biblical story referenced during this celebration is from Matthew 2:1-12, which narrates the story of the Magi (or three wise men) – Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar – who followed a bright star that led them to Christ.
Significance
Epiphany is an important feast in the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church. It signifies God’s physical manifestation to all people through his son Jesus Christ. The visitation of the Magi symbolizes that Jesus was recognized as king by Jewish shepherds and Gentile wise men.
Liturgical Observance
During Mass on Epiphany, the Gospel reading recounts the journey of the Magi. The priest’s homily often reflects on the significance of the Magi’s visit and the importance of recognizing Jesus as our Savior. The liturgical color for Epiphany is white, symbolizing purity, holiness, and joy.
Reflecting on Epiphany as Christians, we are invited to ponder on the manifestation of Jesus in our own lives. Just as the star guided the Magi to Jesus, God’s grace guides us towards His son. We are invited to recognize Jesus daily and be open to His guidance and love. It also encourages us to be like the Magi, who were willing to journey far and seek Christ.
Epiphany also has a communal aspect. It calls for Christians to be ‘stars’ guiding others towards Jesus. As we celebrate Epiphany, we are reminded to share God’s love with others and manifest Christ in our actions.
In conclusion, Epiphany is a celebration of God’s manifestation in Jesus Christ. As we reflect on Epiphany 2024, we are called to recognize God’s presence in our lives and guide others towards Him.