On this special day of the fest of our brother St. Thomas Aquinas, the Province of our Lady of the Holy Rosary is graced with six novices who profession their first profession into the way of the Order of Preachers.

On 28 January 2023, at St. Gememma Galgani’s Church, Shwepyither, the Eucharistic celebration for the feast day and first simple profession of six brothers; Br. Saw Neri, Br. John Eheresan, Br. Perter Nyi Nyi Aung, Br. Xaverio Boebo, Br. John Ai Thet Shwe Oo and Br. Ephrem Nay Myo Thu gracefully began. The celebration was led by Fr. Ruben Martinez Ortega, O.P, Prior Provincial of our Lady of the Holy Rosary Province co-celebrated by six fathers.

On this beautiful day, there were several sisters from different congregations and about 200 faithful in the celebration. Most faithful including many young people experienced the celebration and definitely the occasion was something special which they have not experienced in their life before. People have a sort of curiosity about the way and life of our Dominicans. In other words, the celebration has, no doubt, been a vocational promotion for the Province and the Order as well. Lively and beautiful music made the occasion more solemn, memorable, and special. The soon-to-be professed postulants were somehow excited for what the Lord would do to their lives after they have decided to ‘seek the mercy of God and that of the Provincial’.

The homily of the Provincial incited the willingness and enthusiasm of the soon-to-be-professed young men who were told that during their profession they were not simply putting their hands into the hands of Fr. Provincial but they were to put their hearts, heads, feet, and the whole being to God. Following St. Thomas’ teachings, the brothers, and consecrated persons including the entire faithful have the common goal of seeking the truth which St. Thomas also sought immersing his whole life in doing so. The call of all Christians is in fact ‘to preach, to bless and to praise’ God in all they do and live.

The celebration went on well filling the hearts of the participants, especially the newly professed brothers with grace and true joy. They have been generous and enthusiastic to offer their whole life to God as Dominicans.

Before the concluding prayer and blessing of the Provincial, the parish pastor, Fr. Paul Aung Myint Win, O.P said words of thanks to God, to the parents of the six new novices, and to the Provincial, Fr. Ruben Martinez Orgeta, O.P, who could make it to be with the brothers in Myanmar amidst many challenges especially that of political unrest and conflicts in the country. All the fathers, sisters, parish Council members, and the faithful who have helped with the celebration were also mentioned in gratefulness on behalf of the brothers and the Province as well.

After the Eucharistic celebration, a delicious breakfast was prepared and offered to all.