Five brothers from the Philippine Province make first profession to the Order

Br. Andre Mico S. Urriza, OP

Five brothers made their first profession to the Dominican Order on June 11, 2025, the memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle, at the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag in Pangasinan.

Three Filipinos, Br. Leonard Jan C. Mauricio, OP, Br. Joseph Brian M. Tabulao, OP, and Br. Andre Mico S. Urriza, OP, and two Indonesians, Br. Yohanes Baptista Putra, OP and Br. Graciano Koresh Sinaga, OP professed at the hands of Br. Filemon I. Dela Cruz, Jr., OP, Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines.

In his homily, Br. Dela Cruz explained that the religious profession is a way of dedicating oneself to God in the Church. While simple profession is normally made only for three years, he emphasized that the brothers should always have the spirit of a life-long commitment in the Dominican way of life.

He pointed out the need for the brothers to be attentive to God’s voice through listening and highlighted the virtues of courage and honesty so that one can faithfully abide by the Order’s way of life, especially to its four pillars — prayer, study, community and preaching.

Br. Dela Cruz urged the brothers to always become open to learning, realizing the pressing needs of the times.

The simple profession was attended by the families of the brothers with guests from Indonesia. Pilgrims also participated in the celebration of the Holy Mass at the Minor Basilica.