REMEMBERING SOLEMN PROFESSIONS IN MACAU

On June 18, 2023, two of our brothers – Joseph Gabriel and Luigi - made their Solemn Profession before our Provincial Fr. Ruben and with the assistance of Fr. Paul, the Master of Students. The significant ceremony took place during the Holy Eucharist of the 11^th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Fr. Ruben presided over the Holy Mass concelebrated by the seven brother-priests of our St. Dominic Priory, the Secretary General of the Province Fr. Matthew, and the former Dean of the Faculty of Religious Studies and Philosophy and friend of the community Fr. Franz SVD. About 70 people were present: Dominican Sisters, some professors, and classmates of our two brothers. Eight of our simply professed brothers also attended. (Most of our student brothers are either on vacation or studying languages abroad during summer). It was a wonderful celebration, devout and joyful.

        Two days before they made their Solemn Profession, we asked our two brothers to answer briefly three simple questions: Who are you? Why are you making your Solemn Profession? What is your dream for the future? 

Fr. Luigi Yu Reh OP:

Who are you? I come from Myanmar. I have parents, five brothers, and five sisters. I am the second youngest son in the family. I was born on January 8, 1997.

Why are you making the Solemn Profession?  I make the Solemn Profession because I want to dedicate myself entirely to God and to the Dominican Order by embracing the three evangelical counsels and following the footsteps of Christ more perfectly. 

What is your dream for the future?  My dream for the future is to be a follower of Christ and particularly of St. Dominic. I want to follow the footsteps of St. Dominic by imitating his ways of life and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ in all sorts of different means that meet the needs of the people and the signs of the times.

Fr. Joseph Gabriel Hyodo Shunsuke OP:

Who are you? I come from Japan. My family is my father, my younger brother, and myself. My younger brother is already married and has one son. I am the only Christian in my family. I was born on December 13, 1979.

Why are you making the Solemn Profession? My wish is only one: the following of Christ. I believe the Dominican way is the best fitting my purpose. Through community life, I have been convinced of this idea. Then, I am going to make my Solemn Profession.

What is your dream for the future?  My dream is that the number of Japanese Dominicans will increase. I would like to eventually promote vocations in Japan and invite them to the Japanese Vicariate of the Dominican Holy Rosary Province. 

May Our Lady of the Rosary, Patroness of the Order of Preachers, and St. Dominic, our dear Founder and Father and the martyrs of our Province bless their lives, and help them achieve their longings and their dreams.