DOMINICAN FRIARS
Philippine Province
Our Founder
Thrusts of the Province
THIRTEENTH PROVINCIAL CHAPTER | CHRIST THE PREACHER OF HOPE
Theological Reflection
The Theological Reflection as a priority of the Province is based on the provision of the Fundamental Statute that states: Being recipient of a Catholic heritage, we acknowledge that the doctrinal formation of the Church leaders is an integral part of our educational apostolate. For this purpose, we dedicate ourselves to theological reflection so as to impart among the clergy and lay leaders a dynamically harmonized catholic orthodoxy and orthopraxis. We shall teach the ecclesiastical courses just as we ourselves assiduously study the sources of these disciplines, especially Sacred Scriptures. We shall also study the signs of the times and discern the workings of the Holy Spirit in the developing forms of human culture in the Philippines. While promoting the sanctifying value of the sacrifice of the Mass and the Sacraments in the life of the faithful, we shall teach the faithful the doctrinal bases of these and emphasize the sacraments’ role in building up of the earthly and heavenly community.
The assiduous study of the brothers on the sacred truths of the Catholic Faith is geared towards the education and formation of the clergy and laity. It is enriched by the repositories of faith particularly the Sacred Scriptures, presented in consideration with the signs of the times and the Philippine context. It shall elicit catholic orthodoxy and orthopraxis among the members of the Church. This priority is primarily realized through the involvement of the brothers in teaching ministries in the Ecclesiastical Faculties of the University of Santo Tomás and in their various theological researches.
The UST Ecclesiastical Faculties are composed of the Faculty of Sacred Theology, Faculty of Philosophy, and the Faculty of Canon Law. These faculties are considered to be the primary component of the UST. They contributed to the declaration of the University of Santo Tomás as a Pontifical University by Pope Leo XIII on September 17, 1902 through the document Quae Mari Sinico and was honored by Pope Pius XII with the title of The Catholic University of the Philippines on April 10, 1947. They assured the Catholicity and orthodoxy of education offered in the only Pontifical University in Asia –UST. The general purposes of the three faculties are: 1) To deepen the knowledge of Christian revelation and of matters connected with it; 2) To prepare with special care students for the priestly ministry, for teaching the sacred sciences, and for the more arduous tasks of the apostolate, and to promote the continuing permanent education of the ministers of the Church; 3) To collaborate effectively in the work of evangelization, in close communion with the Hierarchy of the Universal as well as of the local Church, in its pastoral, doctrinal, ecumenical and missionary undertakings; and 4) To be an educative community permeated with the spirit of freedom and charity.
In the Order of Preachers, Dominic has promised us that "Wonderful Hope," O Spem Miram, of presence abiding, grace outpouring, help assuring, over and beyond death, darkness, difficulty, and despair.
In this Jubilee Year, this is the Hope we celebrate with gratitude, the Hope we preach, the Hope we bear in our pilgrimage, the Hope we "proclaim persistently in season and out of season, convincing, rebuking, and encouraging, with the utmost patience in teaching" (2 Timothy 4:2).
Become Preachers of Hope
In the spirit of the apostles, we will "proclaim the kingdom of God and teach about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance." (Acts 28:31) Through this 13th Provincial Chapter, we thrust ourselves to become PREACHERS OF HOPE in our communities and institutions. We will strive to develop Caleruega and Surabaya and the UST Ecclesiastical Faculties as centers of preaching in the Philippines and in Asia-Pacific.
Cultivate a Culture of Vocation
"Always be ready to give an account for the reason for your hope" (1 Peter 3: 15). Through this 13th Provincial Chapter, we thrust ourselves to cultivate a culture of vocation promotion - giving an account of our hope, nourishing our own religious formation as well as drawing people through authentic Christian witness, preaching through our lives, living our hope, integrating and strengthening our formation both initial and permanent, exercising fraternal care especially to our brethren who are weak, infirmed, aged, and in crisis.
Build Sustainable Communities
"Therefore let us encourage one another and build up each other" (1 Thess 5: 11 ). Through this 13th Provincial Chapter, we thrust ourselves to build our communities and institutions as centers of strategic management, stable and sustainable, dealing with the challenges of integrating apostolates, synergizing our efforts, and engaging emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. The hope we preach leads us to confront the difficulties of our communities and the Province. Notably, we shall respond concretely and judiciously to the challenges of our institutions in need of assistance. This same hope raises our vista towards the future, when our houses in Indonesia would become a Provincial Vicariate within the next ten years.
Deepen & Expand Collaboration
"Enlarge the space of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes" (Isa 54:2-3). Through this 13th Provincial Chapter, we thrust ourselves to deepen and expand our collaboration between and among fellows, communities, institutions, both local and international. In hope, we commit to the mission of preaching to the "existential peripheries," to new frontiers in Asia-Pacific, even in Europe, and wherever the Spirit leads us.
Through these thrusts, we shall work and "wait for the Lord, renew our strength, soar with eagles' wings, run and not be weary, walk and not faint" (Isa 40:31 ). By the promised prayer of St. Dominic, we hold on to this Wonderful Hope, preaching boldly and unhindered "Christ who is our Hope" (Col 1 :27).
CHRISTUS PRAEDICATOR SPEI, thus, declares the most recent General Chapter of the Order (ACG 2022 Tultenango, 57).
Indeed, Christ is the Preacher of Hope! "He brings the glad tidings to the poor" (Isa 61 :1; Luke 4:18-19). And by his coming, Christ is the Hope of Preaching, Hope incarnate, "whom we hear and see, touch and bear witness to" (1 John 1-2).
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In the context of the Dominicans in the Philippines, the use of modern means of communication in preaching goes back as early as 1959 when student-brothers used a tape-recorder and a gramophone to produce their private radio program exercise. This enthusiasm was further encouraged as later, media of social communications had been identified as potent instruments in proclaiming the Good News to as many people as possible. This is in line with the reforms of Vatican II, particularly through its document Inter Mirifica, the Decree on the Means of Social Communications issued on December 4, 1963. The use of media of social communications was strengthened through exposures and assignments even of student-brothers in formation. As student brothers, Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, Fr. Antonio Aureada, Fr. Virgilio Ojoy and Fr. Laureano Faraon hosted radio programs during the La Naval festivities.
Since the identification of Media apostolate as one of the priorities of the Province in 1992, the brothers had been preaching through television, radio, and print media. The participation of the brothers in media ministries reached its highpoints in the mid 80’s and 90’s. This was through the phenomenal rise to popularity of some of the brothers involved in media apostolate, especially Fr. Erasmo “Sonny” Ramirez. Fr. Sonny, as many fondly call him, who popularized the Sunday TV Mass in the Philippines (Celebration of the Holy Eucharist broadcast through television). He broadcast through TV, a regular show; “Sharing in the City.” He started the Siete Palabras, the longest running Lenten Special in the Philippines, from 1984 to the present.
Evangelization through Media Apostolate
The Fundamental Statute of the Province speaks of the Media Apostolate as follows:
With the development in social communication and information technology, we are challenged to seek out new avenues of preaching the Word. We are resolved to intensify our presence and to incarnate the Word among-us here and now.
Siete Palabras was originally a special edition of Fr. Ramirez’ show “Sharing in the City,” produced by Banahaw Broadcast, Inc. At first, it was only Fr. Ramirez who solely preached on the Seven Last Words of Christ which was shot outside studios, in the fringes of society. It showcased real life scenarios that depicted the spirit of Lent and the Last Words of Christ. In 1994, Siete Palabras was first shot in Santo Domingo Church, and was aired live via television. By that time, the province had taken the responsibility of producing the show. In 1998, other brothers from the Province had joined Fr. Ramirez in sharing and reflecting on the Seven Last Words of Christ. Since then, this Lenten Special has featured the reflections of seven brothers, coupled with faith testimonies, and artistic performances by lay people. Today, Siete Palabras continues to air every Good Friday serving as a platform for the brothers to share the fruits of their contemplation on the Passion of Christ, touching more people through the airwaves.
As it was in the olden times, radio proves to be an effective means of communication even in these modern times. Fr. Gallardo Bombase recognized this classic means of communication and employed it in the preaching ministry. In January 2004, Fr. Bombase launched the Spirit FM Calayan in the mission station of DPP in the Calayan Islands , Cagayan Valley. It hopes to serve the people in the islands by broadcasting daily the rosary, the celebration of the Eucharist, inspirational messages, religious music, the lives of the saints, and the Catechism for Filipino Catholics in Ilocano. In 2008, Fr. Bombase resumed his involvement with Radio Veritas with a weekly radio program entitled “Catholic Church Cares. His fruitful engagement in the radio ministry encouraged Fr. Bombase to establish the Radio Dominiko ng Manaoag (102.5 FM Band), in Manaoag Pangasinan, on August 15, 2008. Thus, to date, the DPP has five FM radio stations, namely: Dominican Radio of Calayan 99.9 FM, Dominican Radio of Manaoag 102.5 FM; Tiger Radio of UST; Arriba Campus Radio 87.9 FM of Letrán -Bataan, and Campus Radio DWAC- 87.5 FM of Angelicum College Quezon City.
Print media has been an active means of the brothers in sharing the fruits of their contemplation. Brothers in formation publish regularly their monthly gospel reflections (Tinig for the Postulants, Binhi for the Novices, and Pananaw for the Student-Brothers), these beside their annual publications (Albertine, and DNA). These publications in the formation serve as training grounds for the brothers to learn the rudiments of putting their thoughts in written form. Several members of the DPP have been active in publishing their works into books and articles in national broadsheets.
Recently, with its meager budget, the Institute of Preaching - Office for Social Communications of the Province was able to pool resources together to produce a full-length movie entitled “Dominic: Light of the Church.” Fr. Christopher Jeffrey Aytona was the executive producer of the said film, with Fr. Marcelino Saria as director. They were with lay collaborators; Marinette Losanta as associate director, Lauro Rene Manda as the director of photography and editor. To simulate an authentic portrayal of St. Dominic and his times, Spanish, French and English actors were hired to play the roles in the movie, and the film was shot in the three countries where St. Dominic actually lived, ministered, and died; Spain, France, and Italy. The film was shot from July to August of 2010. The premiere showing was on December 11, 2010 in the Medicine Auditorium of the University of Santo Tomás . The movie is the first Dominican-produced biopic, in the history of the Order, which featured the life of St. Dominic.
With the advent of the Internet and the creation of social media networking sites e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, the media apostolate has gained a new platform where the Word of God may be preached; The Internet; the Digital Continent. Beside the traditional tri-media (TV, Radio, Print), the Province, together with the individual efforts of some brothers, prepared various materials that are posted on the Internet, such as graphic text and short video catechism.
Some brothers also maintain blogs about gospel reflections or simply share personal thoughts In fact, Fr. Louie Coronel was chosen as the only Filipino among the 150 bloggers selected to participate in a historic Vatican Meeting of Bloggers in Rome on May 2, 2011, organized by the Pontifical Council for Social Communication. On July 7, 2013 the “iLumen (http://ilumenpreachingblog.blogspot.com/)” was launched. This serves as the official blog of the Dominican Family in the Philippines. Fr. Christopher Jeffrey Aytona, head of the Social Communications Apostolate of the Province, has produced iLumen Webpisodes. These are seasonal video catechisms (produced during Advent, Lent, October Rosary month) posted primarily on Youtube, and on various social networking sites. The Province’s Shrines and Schools use these videos, at the same time, for their catechism, which are shown before the start of a pertinent event.
