DOMINICAN FRIARS
Philippine Province
Who We Are
During the 13th Century, Europe is rising in terms of commerce, power and influence. The ideas of pagan Aristotle and his Arab commentators beginning to fascinate the mind of the West. Europe is gradually facing a new world. But in the midst of this new life was also ecclesiastical corruption, despite the efforts of reformers like Innocent III. The new middle class of the cities, skeptical, increasingly educated, materialistic, could not be helped by a clergy that was generally untrained, nor by monastic foundations that were largely rural and, by definition, isolated from the currents of daily life.
There was, in the words of Amos the Prophet, “a famine of the hearing of the Word of God” (Amos 8:11), and the vacuum was frequently filled by superstition, divisive heresy, and a love for this world. Various attempts were made to respond to the situation. Groups of diocesan priests living in community, the canons, engaged in parochial and theological work. In a number of places, lay preachers like the poor men of Lyons attempted to return to the simplicity of the early Church and to the Gospel-fervor of its early preachers. But most such lay groups quickly sank into doctrinal error, and had, in the end, to be suppressed.
It was in such a world that Dominic Guzman grew up, the son of a Spanish noble. Dominic was born in 1170 in Caleruega, Spain, and received his early education in Palencia. As a philosophy student, he sold his books to buy food for the starving during a famine. News of his virtues reached the Bishop of Osma, who made him a Canon Regular of his church — and under the priorship of Diego de Acebo, Dominic learned the basics of religious life and contemplation.
Diego became Bishop of Osma and invited Dominic to travel with him spreading the Gospel. Together in 1206, both men offered Pope Innocent III their services to save souls, and were sent to preach to the Cathars of Languedoc. Contrary to the habits of the Cistercians, Dominic and Diego roamed the villages of Languedoc on foot, begging their bread.
Diego soon died, but Dominic continued to preach with the help of a community gathered in 1207, comprised of women who had fled the Cathars and lived a common life in Prouilles. To preach the gospel better, Dominic moved to Toulouse in 1215 with companions bound to him by profession, and they adopted a rule of life based on that of St. Augustine. In a bull entitled Religiosam Vitam, dated December 22, 1216, Pope Honorius III confirmed the Order as an Order of Canons Regular.
In 1217 Dominic dispersed the brothers two by two to further the preaching mission, sending them “to study, to preach, and to found communities. ” To train the best brothers in preaching, he chose to settle in two great university cities: Paris and Bologna. Dominic continued to travel between Spain and Rome to establish the Order’s foundation, and in 1220 delegates gathered in Bologna to approve the first constitutions. Dominic died in Bologna in 1221 — but his light continues to enlighten through the growing Dominican Family in the world.
“A famine of the hearing of the
Word of God.” Amos 8:11
St. Dominic and the Order of Preachers
Our Founder
St. Dominic and the Order of Preachers
1170
Dominic Guzman is born in Caleruega, Spain, to a Spanish noble family.
1206
With Bishop Diego of Osma, Dominic offers Pope Innocent III his services to preach to the Cathars of Languedoc.
1207
A community of women who fled the Cathars gathers around Dominic’s preaching in Prouilles.
1215
Dominic moves to Toulouse with companions professed to him, adopting the Rule of St. Augustine.
1216
Religiosam Vitam: Pope Honorius III confirms the Order of Canons Regular, Dec. 22.
1217
Dominic disperses the brothers two by two “to study, to preach, and to found communities.”
1220
Delegates gather in Bologna to approve the Order’s first constitutions.
1221
Dominic dies in Bologna. His preaching mission continues through the growing Order.
Our Founder
St. Dominic and the Order of Preachers
“A famine of the hearing of the Word of God.”
Amos 8:11 — on the world Dominic was born into
51
Years of St. Dominic’s life — from Caleruega, 1170, to Bologna, 1221.
Diego became Bishop of Osma and invited Dominic to travel with him spreading the Gospel. Together in 1206, both men offered Pope Innocent III their services to save souls, and were sent to preach to the Cathars of Languedoc. Contrary to the habits of the Cistercians, Dominic and Diego roamed the villages of Languedoc on foot, begging their bread.
Diego soon died, but Dominic continued to preach with the help of a community gathered in 1207, comprised of women who had fled the Cathars and lived a common life in Prouilles. To preach the gospel better, Dominic moved to Toulouse in 1215 with companions bound to him by profession, and they adopted a rule of life based on that of St. Augustine. In a bull entitled Religiosam Vitam, dated December 22, 1216, Pope Honorius III confirmed the Order as an Order of Canons Regular.
In 1217 Dominic dispersed the brothers two by two to further the preaching mission, sending them “to study, to preach, and to found communities.” To train the best brothers in preaching, he chose to settle in two great university cities: Paris and Bologna. Dominic continued to travel between Spain and Rome to establish the Order’s foundation, and in 1220 delegates gathered in Bologna to approve the first constitutions. Dominic died in Bologna in 1221 — but his light continues to enlighten through the growing Dominican Family in the world.
SCROLLABLE TIMELINE - LIFE OF ST. DOMINIC
During the 13th Century, Europe is rising in terms of commerce, power and influence. The ideas of pagan Aristotle and his Arab commentators beginning to fascinate the mind of the West. Europe is gradually facing a new world. But in the midst of this new life was also ecclesiastical corruption, despite the efforts of reformers like Innocent III. The new middle class of the cities, skeptical, increasingly educated, materialistic, could not be helped by a clergy that was generally untrained, nor by monastic foundations that were largely rural and, by definition, isolated from the currents of daily life.
There was, in the words of Amos the Prophet, “a famine of the hearing of the Word of God” (Amos 8:11), and the vacuum was frequently filled by superstition, divisive heresy, and a love for this world. Various attempts were made to respond to the situation. Groups of diocesan priests living in community, the canons, engaged in parochial and theological work. In a number of places, lay preachers like the poor men of Lyons attempted to return to the simplicity of the early Church and to the Gospel-fervor of its early preachers. But most such lay groups quickly sank into doctrinal error, and had, in the end, to be suppressed.
It was in such a world that Dominic Guzman grew up, the son of a Spanish noble. Dominic was born in 1170 in Caleruega, Spain, and received his early education in Palencia. As a philosophy student, he sold his books to buy food for the starving during a famine. News of his virtues reached the Bishop of Osma, who made him a Canon Regular of his church — and under the priorship of Diego de Acebo, Dominic learned the basics of religious life and contemplation.
Who We Are
The Ordo Praedicatorum (Order of Preachers) is a religious order within the Catholic Church, composed of men who dedicate themselves to the ministry of preaching, according to the tradition and legacy of our founder, Saint Dominic de Guzman (1170-1221). While we are all Brothers (friars), not everyone is a priest. A Dominican Brother can pursue either the Priesthood or the ministry of the Cooperator-Brother.
The four equally important pillars of Dominican life are prayer, study, community life, and apostolate.
With divine help, the work of the Order rapidly grew. During its early years, it was relatively easier to govern it from the curia in Rome, but its expansion in various territories necessitated the introduction of Provinces.
Four Priorities of the Province
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History
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Mission and Vision
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The Dominican Family
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Thrusts of the Province
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The Dominican Family in the Philippines is composed of the Dominican friars, nuns, the clerical confraternity, apostolic sisters, and lay Dominicans. In recent years, the Family has continued to grow and strengthen its mission of preaching, ministering, and promoting vocations by acting together and supporting one another.
Various platforms have fostered this collaboration, such as the Dominican Formators Conference of the Philippines, the Justice, Peace and Care for Creation Commission of the Dominican Family, and the Dominican Network of Schools (DOMNET). These initiatives create spaces where members can work hand in hand in formation, education, mission, and advocacy.
The Dominican Family also gathers for formation and celebration. The Dominican Juniors Formation Encounter allows young Dominicans in formation to come together to share their experiences and the fruits of contemplation and study. Regular gatherings happen on significant feast days of the Order and the Province, such as the Solemnity of St. Dominic, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (which also marks the anniversary of the Dominican Province of the Philippines), as well as during retreats, ordinations, professions, jubilees, and other special milestones.
The Dominican Family also unites in preaching and ministry. The iLumen Blog(http://ilumenpreachingblog.blogspot.com) serves as the official online preaching platform of the Dominican Family, featuring reflections from friars, nuns, sisters, the lay faithful, and the clerical confraternity. As one Family, the Dominicans also reach out in times of need. For example, after Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013, Dominican communities provided assistance to members who were affected, enabling them to continue their ministry and relief work in devastated areas. Another powerful witness of shared mission is the “Siete Palabras”, the annual Good Friday preaching on the Seven Last Words of Christ. Broadcast on national television, it not only garners high viewership but also showcases the richness and diversity of Dominican vocations in the Philippines.
The contemplative branch of the Family is represented by the nuns, who pray unceasingly for the Church and the world. In the Philippines, they are present at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Bocaue, Bulacan, and Our Lady of the Rosary Monastery in Cainta, Rizal.
The Dominican Laity continues to flourish, with the addition of six new chapters. The Priestly Fraternity of St. Dominic has likewise expanded, now with 264 priests and bishops as members (as of August 2025). Meanwhile, the Dominican Network of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (DOMNET) continues to grow, gathering students annually for youth festivals, leadership training, recollections, and outreach activities, strengthening the Dominican spirit among the youth.
Indeed, the Dominican Family in the Philippines embodies the vision of St. Dominic by remaining united in diversity, committed to the preaching of the Gospel, and steadfast in building a future rooted in faith, truth, and service.
Thrusts of the Province
Thirteenth Provincial Chapter
Christ the Preacher of Hope
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).
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).
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.
"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.
"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.
"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).